The number of construction applications that use stainless steel nails is outrageous. Part of the reason for this is the fact that stainless steel nails are durable enough for almost any construction project. Another reason is that they are easily accessible and can be found lining the aisles of any home improvement store, no matter how big or small.
It’s obvious that there are some undeniable benefits to utilizing nails made from stainless steel for all of your construction needs. However, there are also a few disadvantages when you opt for stainless steel over other materials. It is up to you to decide whether or not the pros outweigh the cons when deciding on the proper nails to use for your next home improvement project.
The Pros of Turning to Stainless Steel Nails for Home Improvement
We’ve already touched on the most significant benefit of using stainless steel nails, and that is the durability that they provide. These are by far the strongest nails on the market, meaning you’ll get a hold that will last with using a nail gun or hammer. As long as you’re using a sturdy wood rather than something more delicate, stainless steel is a solid choice – pun intended.
Another major advantage of stainless steel is its long lifespan. Stainless steel essentially lasts forever, so you never have to worry about these nails disintegrating, even centuries later. The other beauty of stainless steel is that it is 100% recyclable, so there’s a good chance that your nails have served another purpose in life before they became nails. Once your house or other construction projects no longer remains, these nails will have the potential to be used again as something else.
In addition to these already convincing reasons to start using stainless steel nails, yet another pro is that they are weather resistant. More specifically, they are resistant to corrosion, even when used for outdoor project. A leading source explains how a chemical compound called chromium plays a role in this resistance to corrosion:
“Stainless steel can withstand much more time and abuse before showing signs of wear. All steels have the same basic iron and carbon composition, but stainless steel also contains a healthy dose of chromium—the alloy that gives stainless steel its famous corrosion resistance.” Generally speaking, the higher the chromium content of the stainless steel nails you’re using, the more resistant they are to corrosion.
The Cons of Using Stainless Steel Nails
Some researchers say that even though stainless steel is entirely recyclable, creating the product has a high carbon footprint. In other words, manufacturing stainless steel nails requires more energy than creating lower-quality aluminum or copper nails. Luckily though, they are still easy to recycle and reuse as another stainless steel product. This means that new stainless steel does not need to be constantly manufactured to create this home improvement hardware.
The only other disadvantage to choosing stainless is the inflated cost compared to other materials. However, this is made up for by the higher-quality and the fact that it can withstand the test of time.
