Steel - The Epitome Of Versatility In Your Home Furniture

By: Gen Wright Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Metal furniture is now a common occurrence in the modern home. This is because metals, despite being easily available and simple to maintain, can come in a very large variety of shades, textures and designs. While raw metals like copper and iron have been in use since the dawn of civilization, the invention of sophisticated alloys like steel has revolutionized the usage of metal in today's world. Unlike earlier times when the composition of an alloy depended mostly on luck, today alloys are being manufactured under tightly controlled conditions that allow almost complete control over the process and its consequences.

While a large number of metals and alloys are used in the making of household furniture, there are also many types of furniture that can be made out of each of these alloys. Steel, perhaps, is the most versatile of the lot. It is strong, and easily beaten into sheets or drawn into wires, making it an extremely popular metal for all household purposes. From large items like bedsteads, dining sets, cabinets and wall fittings to small fixtures like light bulb holders and doorknobs, it finds its uses all over the house - you only have to cast a look around to see it.

"Steel" is the generic name given to any alloy which is made mostly of iron. Today, most steel used in furniture is stainless steel, which may contain high percentages of nickel, chromium, manganese and such metals. "Mild steel", for example, is the name given to what consumers call "wrought iron". It looks virtually identical to wrought iron, but is less brittle, thus being better suited to molded items like grilles or bedsteads.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, is lighter in color, and may be coated with zinc or nickel in a process called galvanization. Galvanized steel is resistant to most forms of corrosion, making it an excellent choice for large items like cabinets and dining tables. It also has the pleasing, soft and silvery sheen we associate with steel, and does not require regular maintenance beyond a five-yearly coat of rustproof paint.

Consequently, steel has made its appearance as a strong contender in the field of furniture as well as jewelry. This means that your dining table and chairs made of stainless steel - possibly with a glass top - can be matched with your cutlery, cabinets, in-house sculpture and more. The strength and elasticity of the alloy also allows designers to mold it in innovative and spare ways, giving rise to furniture that looks and feels much lighter than wooden items that would serve the same purpose.

As a result, furniture that was traditionally made out of wood even after steel cabinets began to rule the roost is also fast falling victim to the growing steel industry. Computer tables and chairs, bedside tables, television stands and even doors are now being composed of steel and glass. The iridescence of the steel and the transparent glass combine to give any house a more spacious, urban and elegant feel that is perfectly suited to the 21st century.

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