How Textured Stainless Steel Adds Depth and Character to Your Designs

Recently, we noticed a significant increase in the usage of textured stainless steel. This type of stainless steel offers a blend of functionality and aesthetics. Undoubtedly, this material dramatically impacts the project’s look and feel. However, many don’t know how textured stainless steel enhances design aesthetics.

It is generally accepted that texture steel improves aesthetics. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the answer to “HOW.” If you’re anything like them, you’re in a good place. In this article, I will discuss how stainless steel can enhance your project’s look. In the end, you’ll get the true value of this material. So, let’s get started!

What is Textured Stainless Steel?

Let’s first have a look at what textured stainless is!

This stainless steel material consists of texture, embossing, etched design, or polished surface. These additional designs or textures are the result of additional treatments. Those can be embossing, bead blasting, polishing, or chemical etching. These processes improve the look and feel of this stainless steel material.

As you know, stainless steel is an essential material for many projects. It is an alloy containing iron, chromium (10.5%), and many other elements. However, its 10.5% chromium content makes it corrosion-resistant. When stainless steel meets oxygen, chromium instantly forms a protective oxide layer.

This oxide layer is very durable and does not allow rusting of this material. This chromium property makes stainless steel suitable for various projects. However, when stainless undergoes additional treatment, it gets a unique design, style, and look. Depending on the process used, the treatments can create an embossing, etched, polished, or shiny look. 

Such textured stainless steel is durable, rust-resistant, and beautiful. Therefore, people use it to make different products, such as home windows, gates, and doors. This textured stainless steel enhances the project’s appearance. 

Here are some post-processes or treats that give us textured stainless steel.

• Embossing: It involves the usage of a roller that creates a recessed design on the surface of stainless steel.
• Bead Blasting: It consists of the bombardment of tiny glass beads at the surface. Such blasting is done at very high speed. The surface looks shiny with this treatment.
• Chemical Etching: Different acids or chemicals are thrown on the surface in very controlled manners. This acid removes the surface at some points and creates unique and intricate designs.
• Stamping & Lasering: A pre-made design is forged on the surface in stamping. This design becomes part of the material. In laser texturing, the material undergoes high-energy beams. Those beams create a design as they are controlled through a computerized system.
• Brushing & Polishing: As the name suggests, this method involves brushing and polishing. The stainless material has a smooth texture. It feels even across the entire design. Polishing improves the smoothness, whereas brushing enhances the texture and design.

How Textured Stainless Steel Can Enhance Your Design Aesthetic?

Remember, regular stainless steel does not look very special. It doesn’t have a decorative feel and improves the aesthetics of products. It focuses more on functionality and performance. However, textured stainless steel makes a significant impact, primarily when used alone. Let’s discuss how textured stainless steel creates a difference.

1- Adds Depth and Dimension

One thing I love about textured stainless steel is that it creates a sense of depth. Processes like embossing, etching, or bead blasting form small peaks and patterns. Generally, lights reflect evenly when they strike on smooth and flat surfaces. However, textured stainless steel doesn’t have a flat surface. 

So, light reflects at different angles. The area where light reflection is maximum looks brighter. On the other hand, those areas with minimal light reflection look darker. This difference in light reflection creates different styles and depths. Have you ever seen an embossed design on stainless steel? 

The raised area of the design looks prominent and recessed a bit deep and less well-known. This creates an illusion of 3D design despite being flat surfaces. So, the design looks more unique and gives a touch of modernism. Similarly, all processes, such as bead blasting or chemical etching, create a unique effect on this material. 

2- Unique and Customizable Patterns

Have you ever seen welcome boards in big restaurants and commercial places? Those boards are made with textured stainless steel. Manufacturers can etch and design business logos and welcoming words on them. Those logos and designs look very strong on the metal surface. Moreover, when light reflects, the words look sharper, and the design creates a sense of depth. 

At night, artificial lights lit the design and made it look 3D. Manufacturers can create customized designs, logos, and business information on such boards. This is one of the most popular uses of textured stainless steel. Remember, this material doesn’t get rusty quickly, which makes it more favorable. Rain and harsh factors don’t fade or affect the design.

3- Offers a Variety of Styles

Many people choose textured stainless steel due to its versatility. It allows manufacturers to create a variety of designs and styles. For example, this material, when undergoing embossing, creates a sense of depth and a 3D effect. Conversely, when treated with chemical etching, it shows intricate designs and styles. Similarly, the bead blasting process increases the sharpness and glossiness of the material. In simple words, manufacturers can play around with different designs and styles. 

4- Modern and Sophisticated Appearance

Textured stainless steel was not very popular in the past. You won’t have any ancient products made of this material. However, modern products like refrigerators, elevator panels, and reception desks use this material. All these products have a contemporary and sleek design. 

For example, refrigerators used to be very dull. However, due to the use of textured stainless steel, they are now available in colors. Elevator panels with unique designs also boost the style and look of the space. Therefore, people prefer textured stainless steel over regular stainless steel.

5- Reduces Appearance of Fingerprints and Scratches

Fingerprints and scratches affect the looks of any product. Do you agree? However, textured stainless steel reduces these signs. Its texture scatters light through reflection, camouflaging scratches, dust, and fingerprints. This feature is essential for products used in public places. 

For example, the elevators, handrails, and door handles. People generally use these products more often. So, the chances of fingerprints are high which can affect the look and cleanliness of the product. However, these textured stainless sheets reduce those issues. Have you noticed unwanted signs on the refrigerator?

The users open and close the fridge with dirty hands. However, the textures and stainless steel material don’t make those signs prominent. As a result, refrigerators look very clean, improving the overall feel of the space where they are placed. Remember, refrigerators are one example. This material can enhance cleanliness in any product or project.

6- Blends Well with Other Materials

What I love about textured stainless steel is that it creates an excellent blend and balance. For example, imagine you have a table with a wood top. Its sides and finishing consist of textured stainless steel. This combination of wood and stainless steel won’t feel unnatural and will not affect the aesthetics. 

Instead, the table will give you a combination of nature due to the wood and the cleanliness of the textured surface. Stainless steel provides a modern touch but complements wood well in overall look and feel. On the other hand, it creates balance when combined with stone or glass. 

For example, some offices have marble floors and textured stainless steel on the walls. Both stone and stainless steel create balance instead of creating unwanted contrast. You will also notice the use of this stainless material with glass material. Glass on products creates fanciness and makes the space look spacious. On the other hand, stainless steel boosts style and looks by reflecting light at various angles.

7- Enhances Branding and Signage

Textured stainless steel is widely used for branding purposes. Many hotels, restaurants, and offices use embossed logos on textured stainless steel. Such branding enhances the overall professionalism and dedication of any business. At night, such logos give a more modern look and attract the attention of potential customers. 

Signs in airports or even on roads also use textured stainless steel. They direct the right path to travel on the road. However, their usage is convenient at airports, too. These signage consist of bead-blasted designs or arrow signs. These designs don’t glare when light hits them, so pilots and drivers can easily see the directions.

Generally, the direction boards are dull and less attractive. As a result, drivers ignore them and don’t read instructions. However, these textured stainless boards are very elegant. Their curves, depth, dimension, and intricate design attract drivers’ attention. As a result, the drive follows the right instruction or direction depending on the board type.

8- Architectural Features

Designers and architects love textured stainless steel. It improves both aesthetics and practicality. Many skyscrapers use this material for their better look. Stainless steel is also used to finish building exteriors, interior walls, and other panels. 

Their use in front of buildings creates a welcoming feeling. The depth and dimension created by light reflection give a modern look. This material comes in handy not only on the exterior but also on the interior. For example, manufacturers use it on elevator doors, handrails, and other vital points. It reduces the impact of dirtiness and improves cleanliness. 

Is it Worth to Use Texture Steel for Better Aesthetics?

The answer is Yes.

The use of textures in stainless steel offers many perks. First, it can give versatile designs and styles to any project. For example, this material can have embossed, stamped, etched, or laser-printed designs. Customers can use any of these designs depending on their needs. These additional processes prepare the stainless sheet to create the best illusion. 

The sunlight reflects and creates a feeling of depth on the material’s surface. There is no other way to enhance the aesthetics to such a level. If you use regular stainless steel, it won’t add anything to the aesthetics. It will resist corrosion and last long but won’t look great. Therefore, I highly recommend using stainless steel textures. 

Conclusion

Remember, textured and regular stainless offer the same level of functionality. However, textured stainless steel surpasses when it comes to decoration and aesthetics. If you’re starting any project, you should use stainless steel textures. It may be a bit pricey, but it will enhance the look of your product or project in many ways.