Brushed Stainless Steel
A directional satin appearance. Agree the grain direction and reference sample.
Stainless Steel
Finishes & Materials.
The same architectural line can feel quiet, reflective or warm. Use this visual guide to explore a direction, then confirm the material, process and sample for your project.
Mirror Polished Stainless Steel
A highly reflective appearance. Review reflections, flatness expectations and handling.
Champagne Gold Finish
A soft, warm colour concept. Confirm substrate, coating process and physical sample.
Bronze Finish
A deeper warm tone for surrounds and details. Specify acceptable batch variation.
Black PVD Finish
A dark coated appearance. Confirm the offered PVD process and environmental suitability.
Hairline Finish
Fine linear texture with a continuous visual direction. Specify texture and orientation.
All swatches are digital illustrations, not measured colour references or a verified stock catalogue.
Beyond appearanceStart with
Start with
the environment.
Grade, texture, detailing and cleaning work together. Interior decoration, exterior exposure and coastal locations need different levels of review.
Build your material briefMaterial selection notes
304 and 316 are common stainless steel grade references in architectural discussions. They are not interchangeable promises of corrosion performance. Assess the actual site conditions and confirm availability, traceability and suitability before ordering.
Agree the visible result
Define grain direction, gloss, colour process, joint orientation and acceptable variation. Request a physical sample representing the proposed substrate and finish.
Plan for care
Obtain the offered finish supplier’s cleaning instructions. Avoid assuming a decorative finish is scratch-proof or maintenance-free.
General reference: British Stainless Steel Association architectural guidance. Project suitability requires a confirmed specification.
A little more detail
Questions, answered.
Should I specify 304 or 316 stainless steel?
Both are commonly considered architectural stainless steel grades, but the right choice depends on exposure, chlorides, surface finish, detailing and maintenance. A qualified project specification should determine suitability. HAIHUI material availability remains to be confirmed.
Does a coloured finish replace material selection?
No. A decorative colour or PVD process does not replace selecting a suitable substrate, detailing and maintenance plan. Confirm the full material and coating specification.
Why is a physical sample needed?
Screens cannot reproduce metallic reflection, texture, colour shift or batch variation accurately. A signed control sample and agreed viewing conditions make acceptance clearer.
304 versus 316Select for the site.
Select for the site.
Then the surface.
The grade is one part of a material specification. Pair it with the actual exposure, finish, construction detail and maintenance plan.
This comparison is general guidance. It is not a confirmed HAIHUI stock list, a corrosion guarantee or a substitute for project material selection.
| Grade reference | General distinction | Review for the actual location |
|---|---|---|
| 304 | A common architectural stainless steel grade for less aggressive exposure. | Environment, finish, deposits, detailing and cleaning access. A grade name alone does not establish exterior suitability. |
| 316 | Contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chloride-related corrosion compared with 304. | Salt or de-icing exposure, pollution, finish and maintenance. More severe conditions may require specialist selection beyond 316. |
Technical reference: IMOA guidance on 304, 316 and corrosion exposure. Confirm the proposed grade, thickness, finish and material evidence in writing.
The exposure checklistDescribe where
Describe where
the metal belongs.
Give the project team enough context to review the complete material and finish. Colour alone cannot establish suitability.
Include the site in your briefConditions to include
- Interior, exterior, sheltered or regularly rain-washed location.
- Potential coastal salt, de-icing salt, pollution or process exposure.
- Wet areas, joints and recesses where moisture or deposits may remain.
- Required visible texture, grain direction, colour and physical control sample.
- Cleaning access, maintenance responsibilities and the offered finish supplier’s care instructions.
Why the finish matters
Surface texture influences how deposits and moisture remain on stainless steel. Review finish and cleaning alongside alloy selection; a decorative colour does not remove those questions.
Technical reference: IMOA stainless steel finish specification guidance.
A specialist should assess aggressive or unusual exposure. No fixed service life, maintenance-free finish or universal coastal specification is claimed.
Your project starts with a detailLet’s give your
Let’s give your
vision a material form.
Bring your dimensions, finish direction and project requirements together in one clear brief.
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