If you have ever descended a set of stairs with a metal handrail, or leant on a metal guard rail while outside, you have seen – and used – a stainless steel handrail. These strong, corrosion-resistant, durable and versatile railings are almost ubiquitous thanks to their combination of excellent physical and mechanical traits, their chemical capabilities and the advantages that the material lends to construction. But why should your business bother to invest in a stainless steel handrail?
Why Choose a Handrail or a Guardrail?
Handrails and guardrails are vital for the safety and user-friendliness of your premises, preventing customers, visitors and staff from falling and minimising the risk of a fall, slip or other accident.
Without a handrail, you run the risk of an increased rate of accident and injury, and may be liable if someone should hurt themselves – clearly, a handrail is necessary. But why make it out of stainless steel?
Why Choose Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is commonly seen in construction – particularly outdoor construction – thanks to a suite of advantages over other construction methods. More cost-effective, strong and durable than wood, stronger than aluminium, more corrosion-resistant and long-lasting than steel and without the need for painting or galvanisation, stainless steel combines the strengths of many materials into one, and offers all those strengths up to the customer who chooses to make use of stainless steel in their handrails and guardrails.
The Advantages of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a number of advantages over other materials, particularly when applied to the construction of handrails, guardrails and other installations which place high material demands on their construction material.
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance is one of the primary material strengths of stainless steel, and in handrails and guardrails, it is absolutely invaluable. Thanks to the inclusion of a small amount of chromium in the formula for stainless steel – an inclusion which gives it its trademark shine – stainless steel is almost completely invulnerable to corrosion and rusting. In a stainless steel handrail, resistance to rusting is key, as a rusted handrail loses strength, becomes ineffective and unsafe, and is dirty and uncomfortable for users. In comparison, a stainless steel handrail will resist corrosion even from famously corrosive seawater in outdoor marine environments, making sure that it your handrail stays strong even through years of use.
Strength
Stainless steel is also commonly used in construction applications for its impressive physical strength. Able to bear heavy loads and resist deformation or damage, the strength of stainless steel serves it well in handrail and guardrail manufacturing, where strength is a prerequisite to the safety of the user.
A handrail must be able to bear the weight of a person if that person should lose their footing or fall, so a strong material, like stainless steel, is not only ideal, but necessary.
Durability
Hand in hand with corrosion resistance and strength comes durability, which is vitally important for a handrail which must provide years of service at the same high level. With high durability comes the ability to resist wear and tear, withstand the elements and remain strong over long periods of time – something which stainless steel is exceptionally capable of.
Ease of Maintenance
Stainless steel is also easy to maintain, as it does not rust and will stay strong for years with minimal maintenance. The smooth surface and easy shine of stainless steel essentially makes cleaning as simple as wiping down your stainless steel handrail, and the complete resistance to corrosion and decay means that upkeep is reduced to a minimum. There are few things as simple and inexpensive to maintain as a stainless steel handrail.
Versatility
Versatility is the hallmark of metal fabrication, but nowhere is it more apparent than in stainless steel – and stainless steel handrails are no exception!
The stainless steel handrails from Guardrail Engineering are not constrained by the material limitations of wood, concrete, stone or other materials, and can be made to fit any configuration or any requirements which you may have. Lighter than other materials, they are ideal for use as part of a tall structure, and can provide custom-made solutions which fit into an existing installation or are made bespoke to suit even the most esoteric of designs. When you need a material that can supply guardrails and hand rails in any shape, size, configuration and installation, look no further than stainless steel.
Contact Guardrail Engineering for Stainless Steel Handrails Today!
If you would like to know more about stainless steel handrails or stainless steel guardrails, you can get in touch with the industry-leading fabricators and experts in stainless steel handrail manufacturing, Guardrail Engineering.
As the UK’s leading manufacturer of stainless steel handrails, Guardrail Engineering can answer any questions which you may have about stainless steel handrails, or any other kind of handrail for that matter! We will be happy to provide our expert advice or provide any information which you may need to help make your decision on which railing and guardrail solution to choose, and which material to select for its construction – and you can also request a quote or arrange a site visit to place an order by contacting us.
Once there, you can read more about our services or click through to our “Contact Us” page, which contains a direct messaging contact form and other contact details to allow you to get in touch in a way which suits you.
However you get into contact with us, we look forward to speaking to you – and to helping you find the ideal safety rail and guardrail material for your needs, whatever they may be! Get in touch with Guardrail Engineering today!