Despite a shift towards more modern designs, many homes in varying architectural styles have shuttered windows for decorative and functional purposes. To get the most out of your shutters, finding hinges in the best material for your environment is essential. This post explores three materials commonly used for manufacturingshutter hinge hardware to help you find your preferred option.
Common Shutter Hinge Hardware Materials
1.Steel
Steel is one of the most popular materials for shutter hinge manufacturing, and it is available in multiple variations to meet strength and durability standards. Proper maintenance paired with their strength and durability means steel shutter hinges can last for decades without bending or breaking. This makes even the more expensive steel options cost-effective in the long term.
Types of Steel Used:
Stainless Steel:
Stainless steel is the most corrosion-resistant and rust-resistant, making it the best choice for outdoor use. This feature protects exterior shutter hinges from seasonal shifts and rough weather.
Galvanized Steel:
This type of steel also protects against corrosion due to its zinc coating, and it is more affordable than stainless steel.
Carbon Steel:
Carbon steel is typically the most affordable steel option, but its corrosion resistance depends on additional treatments and coatings.
2.Cast Iron
Cast iron is another popular material used in shutter hinge manufacturing. It is typically categorized asgray cast iron orductile cast iron. The first option contains graphite flakes, which provide good vibration damping. The latter, known as nodular cast iron, offers improved ductility and strength.
Benefits of Cast Iron:
- Rustic Appeal: Cast iron’s decorative and historical appearance complements homes with traditional and heritage-style architecture.
- Durability: Highly resistant to wear and tear.
- Compression Strength: Can support heavy loads without deformation.
- Sound Dampening: Reduces noise from shutter movement.
- Heat Resistance: Maintains its properties well under high temperatures.
- Machinability: Easily shaped into intricate designs for decorative hinges.
3.Cast Aluminum
Cast aluminum is becoming increasingly popular in shutter hinge manufacturing due to its lightweight nature and corrosion resistance. It's an aluminum alloy with small amounts of other elements like silicon, magnesium, or copper. In particular, A356 aluminum offers good corrosion resistance and strength, and A380 aluminum has high strength and good machinability, making it suitable for complex hinge designs.
Benefits of Cast Aluminum:
- Lightweight: Significantly lighter than steel or cast iron, reducing stress on shutter frames and easing installation.
- Corrosion resistance: Naturally forms a protective oxide layer, ideal for coastal or high-humidity areas.
- Low maintenance: Doesn't require frequent painting or rust prevention treatments.
- Thermal efficiency: Poor heat conductor, helping to maintain indoor temperatures.
- Design flexibility: Can be cast into complex shapes, allowing for innovative hinge designs.
- Recyclability: Highly recyclable, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.