Stairs are the main part of any structure that is multi-levels. In fact, the stairs are an essential part of any building, be it a commercial, residential or industrial structure. Hence, not only the style of the staircase is crucial but also the material is equally important. So, to get a perfectly designed and durable staircase, you can easily opt for metal stairs.
Other than the steel ones, you can get stairs of some different materials like stone, wood or concrete. However, the concrete and metal ones are usually very popular choices. Â So, here we will discuss the differences between the metal stairs and the concrete stairs.
What are the differences between the metal stairs and the concrete stairs?
The main difference between those two kinds of stairs is obviously lies in their base materials. The metal ones are usually made from steel, whereas the concrete ones are made from the substance concrete. Thus, those two types of stairs have different advantages and costs. Let’s see the differences.
Concrete
It is usually made of three different components, such as water, powdered cement and some aggregate like sand or rock. The cement element works as the main binder after mixing with the aggregate and water. Then it can turn into hard concrete after pouring the mixture.
The concrete stairs are mainly used for outdoor areas, but they can also work as the base in residential and office building stairs.
Steel
Steel is a special kind of alloy that is made from carbon, iron and some other materials. This steel is often galvanized with a coating of zinc and thus can increase its life span. With this coating, the steel staircase can remain protected from corrosive elements. Hence, it is a good option to use for building the stairs of your house or workplace.
The steel or metal stairs are very popular for indoor uses, like for your houses, offices and industrial buildings. However, the galvanized steel stairs are used in the outdoor areas. Also, those spiral staircases are mainly made of metal.
Now let’s take a look at the differences between steel or metal stairs and concrete stairs.
Design or style
In the case of the concrete stairs, the layout gets more emphasis than the design. Also, the concrete stairs mainly prove to be bigger in size and don’t look at the things like cladding, finishing or balustrade. The concrete option is popular in the case of making basement stairs.
However, if you wish to have a lightweight option, then the metal stairs are perfect for you. You can use any design or style in the case of metal stairs. Steel is not only strong but also flexible material. Thus, it can be given different types of shapes and designs. Moreover, you can also use the metal stairs and get a unique look. Those stairs can be styled with open risers to give it a spacious look.
Durability and strength
Both of the stairs made of metal and concrete are durable and strong options. The steel ones are very sturdy and have good tensile power. This means those do not break due to tension. The galvanized ones are corrosion resistant, and hence are very durable. The material steel is about 5 times stronger than the concrete and also need a lesser amount of material while building.
Whereas, the concrete has the strength of high compression, meaning it can resist the power of being pushed. However, those do not have the steel’s tensile strength. Thus, the concrete stairs are often made with several bars hidden inside them.
Therefore, in many cases, the metal stairs are perfect for residential or commercial buildings. However, there are several cases where concrete stairs are needed as well.
