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Archive for August, 2013

Stainless Steel Kitchen Hoods

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-29-2013

A stainless steel kitchen hood is a must-have for any kitchen. Functional and beautiful, stainless steel hoods are great as a decorative element. Today, modern stainless steel kitchen appliances take up less space and are often sold in combination with another appliance, such as a microwave hood combo. In addition to the design, the materials used to make kitchen hoods are important, as well. This particular type of steel has become popular because of the inherited tributes of the material used to make it, along with its polished finish and clean, modern look. Used to design many contemporary kitchens, stainless steel hoods are valued for their simplicity and minimalism, and are advantageous when used with other types of decor.

Stainless steel hoods give your kitchen a subtle, industrial appearance, especially when paired with other similar-styled elements, like stainless steel  appliances. This gives the space an overall cohesive look.

Shop Starland Metals for the best deals on stainless steel backsplash sheets, stainless steel backsplash tiles, and other metal products, to complete your kitchen design.

Deep Drawing Stainless Steel

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-27-2013

If you are a metal stamping company and you’re experienced with plain carbon steels, but have trouble making parts from stainless steel, you may have a negative perception or misconception about steel. Some believe that stainless steel is less formable than low-carbon steel, because they workharden too quickly. Stainless steel is actually very formable, and is often drawn deep into difficult shapes like stainless steel napkin holders, without intermediate annealing. When the chromium in steel reacts with the oxygen in the air, it creates a passive chromium-oxide film on the surface of the steel and it will no longer react chemically to its surrounding environment. Two groups of stainless steels are used to deep draw metal stampings: 200-300 austenitic series and ferritic. If deep drawing seems difficult, you may need to use a special grade version of 304 with a slightly higher nickel content.

Ferritic and stainless steels require higher pressures to form stainless than to form plain carbon steel of the same thickness and temper, because they workharden at a faster rate. If your stainless steel fabrication company is mainly experienced with plain carbon steels, but often produces parts from stainless steel, it’s helpful to remember that more press power and press energy is required, that tooling should be of significant hardness with a highly polished surface finish, and that drawing speeds need to be much slower than for plain carbon steel.

Starland Metals has been in the business of top-quality metal manufacturing since 1988.

How to Clean Stainless Steel BBQ Grills

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-22-2013

Stainless steel grills are some of the highest quality outdoor cooking materials on the market. Keeping your grill shiny and new is not as difficult as you might think. Follow these steps every time you have a barbeque, to extend the life of your grill by years, saving you money for a replacement.

Never Use Steel Wool or Metal

The first step to cleaning your grill is to scrub off the bits of leftover food and caked-on marinade. A stainless grill is sensitive to some common cleaning tools that make scraping food off a quick and simple job. You might be tempted to chip off that leftover hamburger with a handful of steel wool or a metal brush, but this can permanently damage the stainless steel finish. Instead, use a soft cloth to clean. This will take longer, but the extra effort is worth it if it means saving hundreds of dollars on a new grill.

Be Wary of Grill Cleaners

Read the label on grill cleaners carefully before you spray it on your barbeque. Abrasive cleaners can erode the stainless steel over time. Make sure the cleaner says it is safe to use on stainless steel. Non-abrasive cleaners, sprayed on a soft cloth, can make cleaning your grill faster and easier while maintaining the look of the steel. Avoid stainless steel polishes altogether, because, when exposed to extreme heat, these polishes can make your grill appear worse.

Never Skip a Cleaning

If you have two barbeque parties planned on two nights in a row, you must clean the grill twice. Do not wait to clean the grill until you are done using it for a few days. The faster you get the leftover food, grease and briquettes off of the grill, the longer your grill will last. In between cleanings, make sure your grill stays covered. Rust is stainless steel’s enemy, and being outdoors for long periods of time can expose the steel to harsh elements that will erode it.

Three Ways to Highlight Stainless Steel in Your Kitchen

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-20-2013

Three Ways to Highlight Stainless Steel in Your Kitchen  

Stainless steel kitchen appliances combine functionality with sleek style. As a focal point in your kitchen, you want to highlight your stainless steel without forcing it to compete with other bold colors and decorations in the room. While stainless steel is timeless and goes with almost any color palette, it can clash with other elements in the room unless you have a solid design balance.

Choose the Right Paint

The most important design tool you can use to ensure your new stainless steel backsplash, counters or refrigerator stand out is to pick a paint color for the walls that will complement, rather than fight with, the cool metallic finish. The only paint color that is guaranteed to go well with every stainless steel style is a shade of white. White paint is clean and neutral, allowing the stainless steel to shine. Other smart paint choices include cool colors such as blues and neutral tones, rather than bold, bright colors.

Use Splashes of Contrast

A kitchen with white walls and cabinets combined with stainless steel is simple and chic, but it can also appear sterile. To fix this, you can highlight your stainless steel kitchen with touches of dark, contrasting features. For example, you can paint the room’s walls and cabinets white, but have black or dark brown cabinet handles and chairs. These touches of dark color will balance out the light in the room and give it a warmer feel.

Stick to One or Two Bold Pieces

Stainless steel is a statement piece. This functional and classic finish is best used in one or two spots in the room, not coated on every surface. Stainless sheets attract the eye, so place them in areas of the room that you want to highlight, such as an island counter or next to a window with a view. If you have stainless steel counters, appliances and a backsplash, the finish will be competing with the other pieces in the room. Instead, pick two spots you want to emphasize and invest in stainless steel versions.

Popularity of Stainless Steel Appliances

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-15-2013

The relevance of a stainless steel kitchen design and appliances is likely to last for some time. In 2011, its popularity soared when the attractive hygienic features of the kitchen became a selling point. The stainless steel kitchen is by far the cleanest and most sanitary available. Even better, in recent years this contemporary kitchen has gotten a design update. White has not only become a popular color in this space, but when combined with stainless steel kitchen appliances, it becomes minimalist and elegant. If you are going for a cozier, warmer feeling, add oak or wood to the floors or furniture. Stainless steel in the kitchen used to be offered exclusively by higher-end brand names, but has been made more affordable to accommodate various budgets.

A practical, rustic look in the kitchen has replaced the faux cabinet doors, giving the space a more rural look. The naturalist kitchen that includes graphite, marble or quartz is also on the rise, in addition to earthy tones and natural materials. Technology has improved gas ranges so that they cook more evenly and heat up faster. These appliances are also more energy-efficient and are being given governmental ratings according to functionality and electricity use. Reducing the number of separate appliances, while incorporating refrigerators and microwaves into one product, utilizes less space, while adding more function to the room.

Things To Consider When Installing Your Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-13-2013

A great choice in ultra-modern design is the stainless steel kitchen sink. It cleans up quickly, with a professional finish. While stainless steel gives the kitchen a clean, contemporary look, quality and value also play a big part in making the decision to purchase stainless steel. If you’re looking for a sink free of dents, that vibrates less, and which can handle the “technology” of a garbage disposal, then a 16-18 gauge stainless steel kitchen sink is the best choice. Higher gauge drop-ins can be thin and unable to support the weight of a quality faucet. While inexpensive, six inch deep basins aren’t capable of holding much. Consider a nine or ten inch sink that not only holds more, but gives you more room when countertop space is limited.

For a more quiet-sounding sink, look for rubbery undercoatings and pads. It helps eliminate the sound of running water and clanging silverware, while reducing condensation in the base of the cabinet. Select a 300 series or 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel stainless steel sink for optimal corrosion and stain resistance.

Shop Starland Metals for the best deals on stainless steel backsplash sheets, stainless steel backsplash tiles and other metal products to complete your kitchen design.

Stainless Steel: The Architectural Design Choice

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-08-2013

Stainless steel fabrication is ideal for beachfront architectural designs, because when faced with the unpredictable elements often present in coastal areas, there’s no other material that can stand up to Mother Nature, ensuring the longevity of seaside designs. Stainless steel’s sleek finish and sharp lines are both modern and contemporary, appealing to a wider range of tastes.

When developing buildings, enveloping gadgets, designing fashion accessories, and selecting stainless steel kitchens, there’s only one metal that’s fit to do the job. A number of industries, like architecture, industrial design, jewelry design, and interior design, all utilize stainless steel for their projects. Corrosive resistant properties make steel the optimum choice for exterior applications in waterfront areas. The brackish and more saline waterways seen in New York’s coastal areas require a durable material that keeps structures intact over the long-term. In Hudson River Park, the railing at the pier’s edge is made of stainless steel, which works to maintains the aesthetics, longevity, and finish of the railing.

Inexpensive metals like galvanized steel were used in the interior spaces of the park. It’s important to remember that attached metals and connectors, fasteners, and anchors should all be made of the same material. Improved technology allows steel to be fabricated and cut to almost any shape, which, in turn, frees the designer from right angles, straight edges or anything else that presents constraints. Selecting the right material is elemental to the success and long life of built structures.

Starland Metals provides high-quality stainless steel fabrication and forming. Check us out today.

A Word About Stainless Steel Mosaic Tiles

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-06-2013

From previous posts we’ve learned that stainless steel mosaics can be fabricated to create different patterns and designs. We also know that mosaics as a stainless steel backsplash tile give your kitchen a very contemporary look and feel, and come highly recommended by professional interior designers. Stainless steel is also very durable material: it outlasts many other common materials used to decorate the home.

Maintenance of mosaics as a stainless steel tile backsplash requires some know-how in order to get the most out of your tiles. Stainless steel emits heat and cold well, so if you live in a very hot or very cold region, the stainless steel mosaic tiles act as a conductor of energy, becoming either very hot or very cold to the touch. Stainless steel mosaics should be installed on flat wall surfaces, as uneven surfaces can cause dents and scratches. Mosaic tiles are made for walls only, not floors. Try to avoid getting any acidic foods, such as tomato juice, lemon juice, soybeans, or baking soda, on your tiles, because they do leave marks on the steel, thereby staining it. Stainless steel mosaics are the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your stainless steel kitchen.

Starland Metals has been in the business of top-quality metal manufacturing and parts fabrication for many years.

Unique Stainless Steel Design Options

 :: Posted by MelW on 08-01-2013

The cold, industrial kitchen design may not what you had in mind for your particular space. You now have the option to incorporate stainless steel with any style kitchen. The neutrality of color design makes steel very versatile. Designers offer ideas for adding stainless steel, without the sterile look. Stainless steel tile backsplash and appliances are useful as either a focal point, or an enhancement, but never as both. Remember, a little stainless goes a long way.

Kitchen combinations like weathered, distressed cabinets with a tapered stainless stove hood make a great focal point. Stainless steel backsplashes are beautiful and easy to install on your own. Choosing between stainless steel kitchen appliances or stainless steel counters is often a choice you’ll have to make in order to keep your kitchen design from looking too industrial. Soften the cold look of steel with cream-colored granite counters. The mica from the stone matches the soft gray color of stainless. Textured ceramic tile as a backsplash, or a wood hood mixed with a stainless steel stove or cooktop are also great looks. Overall, pro-quality stainless appliances offer a variety of beautiful and creative design considerations.

Starland Metals combines old-fashioned craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.