Stainless Steel
Types and prices for stainless steel works. El-Eman Office provides metal finishing services.
Choosing the right grade for each use
When carrying out stainless steel works, the choice depends on the installation environment. In dry indoor places, common grades are enough, but near the sea or in kitchens exposed to salts and chemicals, grades with higher corrosion resistance are preferred. Sheet thickness affects stiffness, appearance and durability, and thin sheet may distort or show waviness after installation.
- Ask the supplier for the exact stainless steel grade and sheet thickness.
- The material can be tested by simple methods, but a product certificate is better.
- A shiny surface does not necessarily mean good material.
Fabrication, welding and finishing
Stainless steel quality shows in the welding and grinding. A good weld is continuous and clean, then polished so its trace disappears and the surface regains its corrosion resistance. Polishing varies between glossy, matte and brushed depending on the design. Protect the surface with a film during transport and installation to avoid scratches.
- Take measurements on site after adjacent works are finished.
- Fabricate in the workshop accurately, allowing for tolerances.
- Weld, grind and polish joints and clean off contaminants.
- Install on site, fix it and check alignment and dimensions.
Safety, maintenance and common mistakes
Handrails and barriers are safety elements, so their heights and fixing strength must meet the requirements, especially in public places and upper floors. Stainless surfaces need periodic cleaning with non-abrasive products, because roughness, dust and chlorine-based materials can cause stains and surface rust.
- Avoid ordinary steel wool on surfaces, as it leaves particles that rust.
- Ask how the bases are fixed into floors and walls.
- Keep the fabrication details to make maintenance and changes easier.
- Compare offers by material grade, thickness and weld quality, not price alone.
Design and fixing details
The quality of stainless steel work depends on the detail of joints and fixings. A handrail needs bases firmly fixed into sound elements, and doors and windows need allowance for expansion and ventilation openings. It is best to draw a detail of each element before fabrication and to take measurements after structural work is finished to avoid differences. The surface finish should also be decided in advance.
- Approve a sample of the weld and finish before full fabrication.
- Avoid fixing into brittle plaster or weak walls.
- Leave joints that allow the metal to move with heat in large works.
Frequently asked questions
Does stainless steel never rust?
It is corrosion resistant but not immune. Surface rust can appear in salty air or through neglect and iron contamination, and cleaning treats it.
Why do marks appear around welds?
Heat changes the metal surface and leaves discolouration or oxidation if it is not cleaned and treated after welding. Good treatment restores resistance and appearance.
What suits commercial kitchens best?
Food-grade stainless with smooth surfaces and tight joints that are easy to clean and meet health requirements, with a design that prevents dirt collecting in corners.
