Besides cost considerations, durability, maintenance, ease of installation, customization and style and uniqueness, material is the next aspect to consider when exploring range hoods.
When exploring range hood materials, you can settle for either brass or stainless steel. They are both metal alloys made from different chemical compounds, something that reinforces their anti-corrosive nature.
A stainless steel range hood is made by mixing chemical compounds such as carbon, manganese, chromium, iron, and nickel.
Brass is made by mixing zinc with copper compounds, which are responsible for its shiny and antiqued appearance.
For the purpose of easier selection, this article gives some of the most notable differences between these two range hood materials.
Gorgeous Range Hood in your kitchen
Durability and Maintenance
Being made from different chemical compounds, both range hoods can last for years without showing signs of wear and aging. This is because their alloy characteristic reinforces the materials to enable them to withstand bending and heat from the stove. With proper maintenance such as effective cleaning, for instance, a single wipe, the lifespan of stainless steel can be timeless. It is water and heat-resistant and responds well to bending to accommodate different kitchen designs and styles.
Brass is also durable in that it does not rust and fits well in high-temperature and moist environments like kitchens. However, due to longtime exposure to heat, it will eventually develop a patina, over time. When aesthetics is your top priority, your choice should be stainless steel since patinas on brass call for periodic polishing to restore its original glory.
Style and Aesthetics
The shiny silver appearance on stainless steel fits well for most kitchens since the material matches different kitchen items such as silverware and cookware. It also presents users with easy maintenance since you can clean it with a single wipe using a cloth and metal grade cleaner. Brass comes with a shiny expensive appeal, which responds perfectly to classy and elegant styles. However, coming down to aesthetics, brass will require regular polishing failure to which it will develop an unsightly patina.
Cost
When operating under a tight budget, your go-to option between these materials is stainless steel. This is because of its ease of installation and maintenance. At the same time, the compounds used in the manufacture of the alloy are available as natural resources, thereby making them cheap. However, due to its weight, the initial cost might get a little higher than that of brass since installation will be a challenge.
Given the price of the compounds relied on in the manufacture of brass, the range hood material ranks higher than stainless steel in terms of cost.
Ease of Installation
The many compounds used in the manufacture of stainless steel make it a heavy alloy. For this reason, it is harder to install especially if you are going the DIY route. You will need an extra pair of hands to help you hold it in place. As an alloy, brass has just two compounds, making a brass range hood lighter and thus easier to install. The easier these range hoods are to install, the lower the initial costs.
Heat and Water Resistance
Another key aspect to consider when exploring these two range hoods is their heat and water resistance abilities. This is because even with proper maintenance, care and cleanliness, range hoods will always encounter water and heat when going about your daily culinary activities. Coming down to heat and water resistance ability, stainless steel ranks higher than brass since it can resist corrosion and does not bend or change under intense heat. Under intense heat exposure, brass develops a patina. The patina is unsightly and calls for regular polishing.
Environmental Impact
Typically, these two range hoods are environmentally conscious options since they are made of different compounds. However, if you are an environmental conservation enthusiast, stainless steel is the better option. It is made from combining more materials, including recyclable compounds such as carbon thereby reducing your carbon footprint. Brass too, is an environmentally friendly option though not as considerate as stainless steel.
Both of these range hood materials come with their own benefits and limitations. Your choice between the two will be advised by your unique style and taste, budget size, durability, environmental impact, their ability to resist water and heat as well as your existing kitchen style and design. Since deciding between the two can sometimes be a little daunting, hiring a professional can help you make it easier. This is in addition to delivering exemplary installation, routine checks, and maintenance.