Steel handrails are the most sustainable options

When you're picking railings, balustrades, and a handrail, there will be reasons why you favour one material over others. For instance, you might prioritise cost, corrosion resistance, durability, or appearance. The decision will likely be influenced by factors like environmental conditions and budget.

More and more though, people are focusing on sustainability. They are cautious about their choices negatively impacting the environment. If you are planning to invest in these safety products, it makes sense to compare the sustainability of steel and aluminium. Let's explore this topic in detail.

Durability and strength

For starters, there is durability and strength. Steel succeeds here. The longer you can preserve your rails without replacing them, the less impact there will be on the environment. Fabrication and manufacturing will turn out differently. Chances are your steel will outlive aluminium. It can put up with an excess of 100g of force per square millimetre. So, steel handrails will probably outlive any aluminium installation. There will be less need for replacements, causing less impact on the environment.

Recycling

Second, steel is easier to recycle. Aluminium is an alloy like steel. But there are more variations in constituent metals. These can cause complications with recycling old materials; some grades of aluminium are difficult and energy intensive to recycle. On the other side, it is possible to recycle steel for separate uses. It doesn't matter what the precise constituent metals are. There won't be a loss in quality either, so it is a sustainable choice.

Production

Lastly, steel doesn't hurt the environment in production if you are careful. As much as 70% of the alloy originates from recycled material. It is a viable option if you have concerns about your metal going to a landfill. There aren't toxic coatings or materials that will produce run-off either. Additionally, contemporary production practices have lowered the energy use for manufacturing a lot. This reduces the carbon footprint.

Talk to us if you want a steel handrail

At Barrier Mart, we have a number of fantastic products available to buy. This includes numerous key clamp components as well as metal tubes. With our goods, you will be able to create unique handrails to ensure people are much safer in different settings.

So, let us know if there is any situation where you need a handrail. We can help you create it and even offer installation.