7 Reasons Stainless Steel Handrails are a Smart Investment for Any Space

There are a lot of different materials used to make modern handrails, and one that really stands out is stainless steel. 

So, what makes stainless steel handrails a better choice than other metals, wood, or the wide range of alternatives out there?

Today, we’re going to go over the seven major benefits of stainless steel handrails and explain why you should consider investing in stainless steel handrails in practically any type of setting or space.

Low Maintenance Requirements 

Maintenance is a much bigger concern than you might think. It’s one of the key factors to consider when choosing handrails for a reason.

Handrails see a lot of traffic, and that shiny new rail might end up looking beaten up and tattered quickly if you have an install it and forget it type of attitude. 

However, it’s also fairly understandable. You rarely ever hear anyone talking about maintenance, and they do seem like items that you won’t have to worry about much. 

Except that a wooden handrail will quickly fade, get knicked up, and deteriorate, brass can oxidize quickly, and even iron can start to show its age relatively quickly. 

Stainless steel does require some maintenance if you want to keep it looking brand new, but the requirements are far less extensive than wood, for example.

With stainless steel, you mostly just need to wipe it down occasionally, and if you notice a lot of scratches, you might need to buff it to return it to its original luster. 

With minimal maintenance requirements, you don’t have to worry about it looking shabby even in high-traffic areas, and you can rely on its structural integrity without nearly as much tender love and care being required. 

Not only that, but whether you’re running a business or simply looking for a nice railing in your home, life is busy. Very few people have the energy or manhours to expend on cleaning railings. With stainless steel, you don’t have to. 

2. Durability

Stainless steel is extremely durable. This actually provides two benefits. First, it’s going to last a long time. You might have your stainless steel handrail with zero issues for decades, and if you take care of it, it will likely outlive you. 

That means that you don’t have to worry about replacing it or dealing with extensive repairs as it falls apart. The same can’t be said for materials that require a lot more maintenance to stay in good shape for a long time. 

Then, there’s even a safety factor involved. And when it’s designed to meet building code standards, you gain even more peace of mind knowing it’s safe, secure, and code-compliant from day one. 

For example, if you neglect a wood handrail, or it simply ages well beyond its useful life expectancy, a weakened connection point can lead to a sudden fall, sharp splinters, and worse. 

3. Versatility

Stainless steel fits practically any type of setting. You can use a stainless steel handrail in an upscale business environment that must look professional, or it can easily blend in with an at-home game area, a casual bar, or anything really. Visually, stainless steel looks luxurious without being too over the top or too simplistic. 

In comparison, wood, brass, and various other handrail materials can all look out of place in various environments. 

This gives you a little more peace of mind knowing that you won’t get it installed and find out it clashes with everything surrounding it. 

4. Unlimited Customizability

Some materials are easier to work with than others, and some even have fairly tight limitations for what you can do with them during manufacturing. 

Stainless steel is one of the easiest materials for modern craftsmen to manipulate into any design or style they want. 

For you, this makes it a lot easier to order custom handrails for both interior and exterior spaces, without sacrificing quality and reliability or pushing your craftsman to the limits, making it happen. You just get an amazing product that matches your needs. 

5. Eco-Friendly

If you like to minimize your impact on the environment and preserve the world we all rely on as much as possible, a stainless steel handrail is actually a great choice for that. 

It doesn’t involve any wood, and the production of steel is fairly clean now. The process of turning steel into a proper handrail also doesn’t produce a lot of waste, and since it lasts so long and is recyclable, you prevent more from going into a landfill. 

This is one of the best eco-friendly choices you can make when it comes to rails, and you can take pride in the fact that you made that decision while still getting a top-quality product. 

6. Cost Savings

A stainless steel handrail is typically going to be cheaper than one made of exotic wood, brass, or other high-dollar materials. However, you save even more in the long run. 

Since stainless steel lasts so long, you aren’t spending money replacing it. You also spend very little maintaining it. Unlike wood that requires sanding, re-staining, lubrication, and other maintenance expenses, you just need a bit of soap and water to properly clean a stainless steel rail, and you can handle scratches with a cost-effective buffing compound. 

So, not only is stainless steel less expensive than top-dollar luxury materials, but it also saves you more money in the future than cheaper, less resilient, budget options.

7. Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion isn’t a major threat in most indoor spaces unless your handrail will be used by the public, but it is a massive issue with outdoor rails. 

Well, while you have to take special precautions with most other materials in outdoor settings, stainless steel is designed to be highly corrosion resistant. 

Even in a rain-prone area, you shouldn’t have any problems with your stainless steel handrail in an outdoor space, and it even does well against the various contaminants that the public can introduce indoors with dirty hands and other things. 

Get a Custom Stainless Steel Handrail Today

The benefits of stainless steel handrails speak for themselves: strength, style, low maintenance, and adaptability to virtually any space, indoor or outdoor. Whether you're designing for a high-traffic business or a personal home project, stainless steel checks boxes that other materials struggle to match. 

At Integrated Metal Designs, we craft custom handrails that are built to code, tailored to your environment, and made to last, just like our custom kitchen range hoods, which offer the same precision and attention to detail.

Contact us today and let’s create something that fits your space perfectly, crafted with care, built to last!