Comparing Stainless Steel Hinges vs. Aluminum Shutter Hinges
 

Comparing Stainless Steel Hinges vs. Aluminum Shutter Hinges

shutter hinges

shutter hinges

Most hinges today are made of two materials: stainless steel or aluminum. You might be wondering: What are the differences of one material over the other when installing shutters?

When it comes to deciding on what kind of hinge you need, the best material depends on what you’re hanging and where the item will hang. When it comes to attaching window shutters and doors to your home, stainless steel hinges and hinges made from non-stainless steel material like aluminum are both great options.

Let’s take a look at how the two stack up against each other:

Stainless Steel Hinges

Benefits of Stainless Steel

  1. Strength-to-weight ratio

Compared to aluminum and other materials, stainless steel has a higher strength-to-weight advantage, which means the material is able to be much thinner than comparatively-graded metals while maintaining its strength and having greater load-bearing capabilities. This makes stainless steel less expensive.

Additionally, modern steel crafting is much easier. Nowadays, it’s possible to cut, fabricate, form, machine or weld stainless steel just as easily as traditional steel.

  1. Low and high-temperature resistance

If you’re installing hinges outdoors, stainless steel is an excellent choice as it is resistant to both summer heat and freezing cold temperatures.

  1. Resistant to corrosion

Stainless steel hinges are ideal for outside applications destined for a life in marine or tropical climates because they resist rusting. Wet environments may eventually lead to corrosion in crevices and some pitting on the surface; however, this doesn’t discount the superiority of the material.

Another option is to consider iHinge’s Coastal Series screen door hardware, which is purposefully designed to perform in harsh salty environments such as near the ocean. Made of Marine Grade 316 stainless steel, these parts are constructed to guard against corrosion.

  1. Aesthetics

Since you can’t always hide hinges from sight, it’s important to have aesthetically pleasing hinges. Luckily, manufacturers can manipulate stainless steel to accommodate a variety of designs and finishes. Our hinges are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Stainless Steel Disadvantages

It can be costlier to buy stainless steel hinges upfront. However, over their lifetime, these hinges more cost-effective compared to other metal options because they last longer, so this isn’t a big downside in the end.

Aluminum Hinges

Aluminum hinges are lightweight, which explains why they’re commonly used in aircraft, trains and other transportation vessels. In fact, aluminum hinges weigh about one-third of those made from stainless steel.

However, to be as strong as possible, manufacturers need to mix various alloy elements with the aluminum. When it comes to rust and corrosion, aluminum is more susceptible to both than stainless steel. Additionally, there are numerous treatments and finishes that can help make aluminum more resistant to corrosion.

Aluminum, especially anodized, will allow you to save money when you’re choosing a hinge material because it tends to be cheaper than stainless steel. Another advantage of aluminum is that it’s recyclable once you’re done with it.

Which Hinge Material is Best?

When comparing stainless steel hinges up against aluminum hinges, we’ve recommend stainless steel every time. Although the upfront cost may be slightly more, stainless steel hinges save you money in the long run thanks to their unmatched durability, strength and corrosion resistance. Not to mention, they look great on any home!

Continue browsing our site to find the correct stainless-steel shutter hardware for your home, office or outbuilding. Check out our large selection of high-quality parts, including pintles, straight and angle straps, slide bolts and holdbacks!