Stainless steel and aluminium are the two materials most commonly considered for commercial kitchen canopies. Here's a straight comparison to help you decide.
Stainless Steel
- Durability: resists dents, warping under heat, and daily wear far better than aluminium
- Hygiene: non-porous surface that meets food safety inspection standards and is easy to degrease
- Heat resistance: handles direct proximity to high-output equipment (fryers, chargrills) without deforming
- Cost: higher upfront cost, but a much longer service life
Aluminium
- Weight: lighter, which can simplify installation on weaker ceiling structures
- Cost: cheaper initially
- Durability: more prone to scratching, denting, and heat warping over time — a poor fit for busy, high-heat commercial kitchens
- Compliance: less commonly specified in DW172-compliant commercial installations
Our Recommendation
For any commercial kitchen with continuous daily use, stainless steel is the standard choice — which is why all Canopy Man canopies are built in 430 or 304 grade stainless steel, laser-welded for a grease-tight finish. Aluminium may suit very light-duty or temporary setups, but it isn't something we manufacture or recommend for a working commercial kitchen.
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Canopy Man manufactures commercial kitchen extraction in Birmingham and delivers across England & Wales. Call 07458 148000 / 07300 815599 or contact us for advice or a quote.