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Anodized aluminum vs. galvanized steel for Asbury Park Boardwalk [New Jersey] 

April 29, 2008

I was awarded a substantial anodized aluminum railing job for the pavilions at the Asbury Park Boardwalk.Just as we were to start the job the architect stopped us and said the only product to use would be galvanized steel. I would like to know what your professional opinion on this matter would be. All of the professional I've contacted so far agree galv. steel will rust and corrode in a few years.

Robert Schinder
custom fabricators Inc. - Bayville, N.J. ,USA

Hi, Robert. I would be cautious about the galvanized because most people do not consider it attractive. It will hold up well to the salt for a few years, but not the long term. You can walk the boards in Point Pleasant or Seaside Heights as well as Asbury, and see all the rusted galvanized overhead doors on the concession stands. You'll also see the peeling paint from unsuccessful attempts to paint it.

Anodized aluminum may be "fair" in performance. Boats are made of aluminum (although painted), and aluminum sailboat masts and boat towers are common. For a condo association I investigated a condo with somewhat troublesome anodized balcony railings, but I didn't think they were too bad. However, while the condo was "oceanfront", it was probably actually 200 yards or more from the water, not on it. I think powder coating on properly pretreated aluminum will be more satisfactory than anodizing.

The ideal choice is 316 stainless steel, but this is in a different price range. Take a day trip to the Cape May Ferry --

  

-- the boardwalk railings there are stainless and, although not shiny on the day I photographed them, are quite beautiful in my opinion.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ