Regular Steel and Stainless Steel

Most people know that there is a difference between regular and stainless steel. However not everyone knows exactly what that difference is. If you’ve ever compared pricing between the two, then you know that stainless steel is more expensive. But why? What is so special about stainless? In this post we’ll address what exactly is stainless steel, why it can be so expensive sometimes, and how it is used in sliding door hardware.

Regular Steel

There are actually several different types of steels. Steels are alloys (two or more elements that combine to make metals) in which iron is mixed with carbon and other elements. Depending on how much carbon is added to the steel and how it is heat treated, the steel can be soft, hard, flexible, or brittle. One of the draw backs to standard steel is that since its essential element is iron, it will rust and pit on its surface.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, however, resists rusting and pitting. This is why it is used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other places where sanitation is a priority. Because it resists pitting and rusting, its surface doesn’t have pores or cracks in it to harbor dirt, dust, and germs.

Stainless steel is created by adding a significant amount of chromium to the alloy. The chromium reacts with the iron in steel and causes it to resist rusting. This is what gives the steel its bright and shiny appearance, although the metal itself is actually dark. The surface of stainless reflects a lot of light.

Because of the fact that it has extra elements added to it, and because of its beneficial properties, stainless is typically more expensive than regular steel.

Check out our other posts to learn more about stainless steel and how it is used with sliding door hardware!