Every fabricated stainless product in this catalogue is available in genuine 304 or 316 grade. The two look identical once finished, cost noticeably different amounts, and behave the same everywhere except in the presence of chlorides.
What actually separates them
316 contains molybdenum, which resists chloride pitting. Chlorides come from sea spray and from pool chemistry. Inland, away from both, 304 performs the same as 316 for the life of a sign, and the price difference between the two grows with letter height because you are paying for more material.
| 304 | 316 | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains molybdenum | No | Yes |
| Coastal and pool environments | Will eventually spot | The correct choice |
| Inland performance | Equivalent | Equivalent |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher, and the gap widens with size |
| Available finishes | Brushed, satin, polished, mirror, painted, powder coated, gold plated | Same range |
The third option people forget
Aluminium is specifically recommended in our catalogue for marine environments, and it is lighter than either stainless grade at the same size. Where the letter is large and the fixing substrate is questionable, powder coated or anodised aluminium solves the weight problem and the corrosion problem together. The trade-off is that aluminium dents more easily in transit, which is why those orders are crated more heavily.
Finish matters more than grade for appearance
Neither grade dictates how the letter looks. That is set by the finish, and the same finish range applies to both:
- Brushed and satin diffuse reflections and hide fingerprints, which is why they dominate interior reception work
- Polished and mirror reflect whatever is opposite them, which can be a feature or a problem depending on the room
- Powder coating and wet paint put a Pantone or RAL colour over the metal while keeping the stainless substrate
- Electroplated gold over a polished or brushed base is recommended for indoor use; outdoor exposure dulls it
How to decide in one minute
- Is the sign within a few hundred metres of the sea, or in a pool hall? Specify 316.
- Is it large enough that weight on the fixing is a concern? Consider aluminium instead of either grade.
- Otherwise specify 304 and put the money saved into the finish.
- Then choose the finish for the lighting conditions, not for the material.
Whichever grade you choose, write it on the order. It cannot be identified by eye once the letters are finished, which means it cannot be checked on arrival either.
