4 Advantages of Using Stainless Steel in Architecture

What are the advantages of using stainless steel in architectural projects?

1. Durable
2. Aesthetically Pleasing
3. Easy to Maintain
4. Economical

It’s shining, it’s shimmering, it practically doesn’t rust, and it’s as strong as – well, steel! 

Stainless steel first gained popularity around the early 1900s, and since then its usage has skyrocketed. You can find it in almost everything conceivable in both industrial and commercial applications. Looking around any modern city today, you’ll see it — it’s everywhere, be it bridges, office buildings, skyscrapers, museums, and even houses.

But, what are the advantages of using stainless steel in architecture, anyway? Well, there are four simple reasons, which we cover here. With each one, you will see how stainless steel is an essential material for modern architecture. 

Durable

Stainless steel is made of one of the strongest materials that mankind has ever forged — steel. But, what sets it apart from regular steel is that it’s reasonably economical to manufacture and recycle.

The discovery of adding a certain percentage of chromite to steel added a whole new level to steel as we knew it. This changed the limitations of the metal. 

We used to think that metals oxidize at a relatively same rate, but stainless steel provides exceptional rust and oxidation resistance. This characteristic far exceeds most metals used in construction, with the exception of some materials. These include metals such as gold, silver, and aluminum. That said, these metals have poor durability, which means they’re not ideal for architectural purposes. 

So, stainless steel possesses both rust resistance and enhanced durability. Choosing to use stainless steel for applications such as handrails, frames, panels, posts, and so much more, assures that those installations will remain brand-new looking and as strong as ever for an incredible amount of time.

Aesthetically Pleasing

For an architect, adding perspective and bringing something new and fresh to the table is something that is to be considered constantly. Designs are carefully planned to make sure that they are up to par with what is new, trending, and at times even ground-breaking. 

There’s something almost magical and mystical, yet modern when it comes to reflective surfaces. Perhaps it’s mankind’s fascination for things that shine that hearken back to our innate and possibly spiritual yearning for an illuminated eternity. But whatever the reason is, there’s something attractive and aesthetically pleasing with reflective stainless steel. 

With today’s technology and the myriad of fabrication techniques, this shiny, rust-resistant, durable metal alloy can be turned into any shape and form imaginable, leaving excellent room for creative liberties. It has even become a medium for sculptures with complex and sophisticated twists and curves. 

An architect can truly have more than a field day when it comes to using stainless steel – all while never having to care much about losing its brilliant and reflective qualities.

Easy to Maintain

Designing, fabrication, and installation are not the only things to consider when choosing a material for a building project. Running expenses such as maintenance costs must be taken into account when selecting the right components. 

For one, the cost depends on the materials needed to clean those parts. If it can be cleaned with simple, common, and cheap chemicals and common means, it will be easier to maintain. If the material is durable and resistant to damage, there will be no need to replace it as much, therefore, it’s on your mind less often. 

Stainless steel is valuable for this reason, too. It’s incredibly easy to maintain, and you don’t need specialized tools, materials, or equipment to do so. You could install stainless steel cladding, and not have to clean it for years — and it’ll still show its characteristic shine and glamor!

Economical

As a result of stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion which makes it longer lasting and easy to clean, stainless steel is one of the most economical metals you can work with. This allows architectural projects to save money, without having to sacrifice functionality or aesthetics. 

It’s also a readily available material, so it’s not difficult to source or has fabricated — even if you’re dealing with rush orders. These considerations help improve an architectural project’s bottom line, which is what usually matters in making major material decisions.

Key Takeaways

Stainless steel is mind-blowing, to say the least — there are many advantages of stainless steel in architecture, which make it the top material for these kinds of applications. 

That’s why you should make the most of this amazing material. We highly recommend using stainless steel in your next architectural project. Contact Metal Exponents today, and we’ll provide our wide range of stainless steel products for your use — we have just the ones you need to fit whatever your project seeks to make!