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Metal By The Piece

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CHOOSE YOUR METAL BASED UPON YOUR STRENGTH AND AESTHETIC REQUIREMENTS

Strength or rigidity is dependent on the type of metal but mostly dependent on the thickness of the metal. The thicker the metal the more rigid it is. You can envision this if you were to lay a sheet of the metal flat on a table. And then start to push the metal sheet off the table. How quickly would the metal start to droop and how much would it droop. In the context of a pegboard, you can see this if you were to press your finger at a point between two mounting points - a pegboard made with a more rigid metal will have less flex in and out, at this point.

Diamond Plates offer a high-performance and industrial appearance - the busy diamond pattern is excellent at hiding abuse over time. Anodized Diamond Plates are colored by a chemical process which is the most durable method to impart color onto metal, and therefore are more durable than painted colors.

Brushed Stainless Steel is the best metal available - we use the same stainless steel used on high end appliances. It's rigid and hard and is the most scratch resistant of all metals. It also has no paint that can be inadvertently scratched over time, and is suitable for outdoor and wet environments.

Brushed Aluminums can approach the looks of Brushed Stainless Steel but are softer and more susceptible to scratching over time. They are also 1/3 the weight and lower cost than Brushed Stainless Steel, and are somewhat suitable for outdoor and wet environments.

Galvanized Steel is strong and rigid with a silvery grey appearance, and has no paint that can be inadvertently scratched over time. However it is not suitable for outdoor or wet environments

Aluminum Colors offer a high grade painted surface in many bright colors, but as durable as we make the paint, it is indeed a paint and therefore susceptible to scratching over time. Anodized Finishes, however, are much more durable than painted finishes, but only available in select colors.

Steel Colors also offer a high grade painted surface in colors, but again as durable as we make the paint, it is indeed a paint and therefore susceptible to scratching over time. The Steel colors are 24GA and are one gauge thinner than our Galvanized Steel which is 22GA. Therefore unless having a color is an absolute must, Galvanized Steel is typically a better value.

ALUMINUM VERSUS STEEL

You’ve may have asked yourself this at some point, which of the two is better between steel and aluminum, and what variables are there to consider when choosing either? Both materials have their pros and cons that outweigh each other but it’s important to recognize which of the two is best for the job depending on what you plan to do with either.

COST

The cost of both metals is always fluctuating due to global supply and demand, but generally speaking steel costs less than aluminum. However, most special forms of steel, such as stainless steel, are pricier than aluminum.

STRENGTH (RIGIDITY)

In terms of strength, there is no definitive answer as to which of the two is stronger. Most will say that steel is typically a stronger metal. But it’s also important to note that aluminum is lighter in weight. So you must keep in mind the strength-to-weight ratio when deciding between the two. In other words, aluminum is 1/3 the weight of steel, and steel has 3X the strength as aluminum. If you can design your aluminum component efficiently, then you can end up with a product that weighs less than its steel counterpart but still offering the same strength.

MALLEABILITY

There’s no debate as to which is more malleable. Aluminum beats steel in this area by a landslide. Due to it being much less dense than steel, aluminum is able to be formed into whatever you desire when in contact with high temperatures. It is also very ductile so it can be stretched without breaking. Because of Steel’s immense carbon density, its malleability is only possible by the application of intense heat.

CORROSION RESISTANCE

Aluminum is resistant to most corrosion and does not rust like steel. Aluminum is also further protected by its naturally occurring oxide film. Steel requires galvanizing or a coating of paint to protect it from rust or corrosion. Such treatment is especially imperative if the steel will be placed in an outside environment where it will often come into contact with natural forces. Stainless Steel, however is naturally corrosion resistant.