Stainless Steel vs Wood: Why Use Stainless Steel for Commercial Facilities?
Storage solutions are essential equipment in any commercial facility, especially in industries that deal with large quantities of inventory or sensitive materials. Besides ensuring that there is ample space for organisation, businesses must choose the material of their shelves and cabinets wisely; some materials we commonly see in residential properties, such as wood, are not suitable for certain commercial facilities even if they have proven durability and functionality. In this article, we compare stainless steel racks for storage to wooden shelvings, learn more about their differences, and why stainless steel is a better choice for commercial shelving.
Difference Between Wood and Stainless Steel
Both wood and stainless steel are materials commonly used for the construction of commercial shelving units because they possess multiple amazing qualities such as high strength, and affordability. However, both materials have very different structures that give them varying levels of durability.
Wood, although strong, possesses a porous nature that makes them prone to moisture damage and rotting. On the other hand, stainless steel is a manmade, non-porous material that doesn’t allow moisture or dirt to penetrate its surface.
Why is Stainless Steel A Better Option?
1. Wired or Perforated Stainless Steel Allows Ventilation
Solid tables and shelves obstruct laminar flow—the smooth travel of gas particles—which creates an envelope of stagnant air over the surface, increasing the risk of contamination. This is highly dangerous in sterile facilities such as cleanrooms, medical institutions, and laboratories. The stagnant pockets of air may also contain particles that can cause disruption to cleanroom operations. Wired stainless steel shelf racks and perforated stainless steel tables containing gaps on their surfaces help promote better ventilation to keep items sanitary.
2. Stainless Steel Does Not Suffer Damages Easily
Stainless steel is an extremely durable metal capable of withstanding many kinds of impact and harsh conditions without sustaining any damage. For example, it is tough, can endure extreme hot and cold temperatures, and is resistant to corrosion. They are also less prone to chips, dents, and scratches. On the other hand, wooden pieces of furniture are considerably more brittle as compared to steel. They can become damaged easily when exposed to sharp materials or huge impacts.
3. Stainless Steel is Easier To Maintain
In a commercial setting, employees don’t always have extra time to spend on thorough cleaning. Hence, it is important for businesses to choose equipment made of materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Stainless steel is extremely easy to take care of, a simple wipe down every day is sufficient to keep it shiny and in good condition. Wood, however, collects dust a lot easier than stainless steel, but is slightly harder to clean and maintain.
4. Stainless Steel is Safer for Use in Certain Facilities
The non-porous nature of stainless steel makes it the ideal option for use in sterile environments such as cleanrooms, kitchens, laboratories, and more. This is because they don’t have little openings that harbour pollutants or contaminants. Wood is naturally porous, and even with frequent resealing, they may still trap germs and bacteria in them, which is unsanitary for certain facilities.
Wood may be durable and strong, but its strength cannot compare to stainless steel. While they are beautiful and excellent choices for residential spaces, they are not suitable for industrial use. If you’re looking for stainless steel shelf racks to fill your commercial facility, Shelvings specialises in the design and installation of stainless steel storage solutions. Contact us today to find out more about our services.
