It’s time to get in the ring. Learn about the material options for cage manufacturing in this (Boxer approved) pro’s and con’s list. In this corner, Stainless Steel cages… and in this corner, Clark Cages Laminate! Ding Ding Ding!
Educated Buyers are Empowered Buyers.
You can’t put a price on buying with confidence. So, at Clark Cages, we feel that the more our customers know about industry standards, manufacturing options, and the benefits of our chosen materials, the more confident they will be in their investment.
The Match Up
Stainless Steel vs. Clark Cages Laminate
So what’s the big debate? Does material choice really matter? We think so! Manufacturing material contributes to many factors that are important to every pet-care business – groomers, vets, and boarders alike!
Take a look at this selection of benefits and disadvantages of each material.
Stainless Steel Competitors
Steel = strength. Right?! It certainly has that reputation in the collective memory of 20th century city infrastructure. And while steel allowed us to build taller buildings than ever before, what does it mean for your pet-care business?
Benefits:
- Comparable Price-Point to Laminate
- Pricing can be comparable, but is often more expensive
- Durability & Strength
- Stainless Steel can withstand a beating!
- Low-Maintenance
Disadvantages:
- Cold and Dark Environment for Pets
- Steel doesn’t maintain a consistent temperature, too hot or (most often) too cold. This is not ideal for post-op pets!
- Amplifies Noise & Auditory Stress
- Barking, whining, clawing – all amplified, echoey, tinny
- Creates a loud & stressful environment for pets and pet-care pro’s
- Clinical Aesthetic Look
- Stainless Steel cages have a unwelcoming and industrial look, changing the feel of your pet-care environment.
- 150 Grades of Stainless Steel Available
- With so many different types of steel grade, it can be hard to know for sure what you are getting! Most stainless steel pet-cages are made of 304-type, which offers corrosion and oxidation resistance.
- Requires Tough Scrub to Look Clean
- Scratch-Prone
- Potentially Porous Material Quality
- The manufacturing process and material quality determine the level of porousness. When porous, steel is more prone to corrosion.
- Exposure to chemicals, grease, moisture, saline, or heat for long periods increases possibility of oxidation and rust.
Clark Cages High-Pressure Laminate
What even is high-pressure laminate? High-pressure laminate (HPL) is made of several layers of resin-saturated kraft paper, with a layer of printed décor paper is placed on top. The resulting sandwich is fused together under heat and pressure (more than 1,000 PSI,) making it an immensely strong and durable product.
Benefits:
- Warm, Quiet, and Comforting
- Creating a cozy and welcoming environment for pets is paramount for pet-care pro’s and pet owners.
- Sound Dampening/Absorbing
- Laminate offers significant sound dampening, improving sound levels and auditory stress levels in pets and people. (Think of tapping on a laminate countertop vs. tapping on your steel oven hood.)
- Easy on the Eyes
- Our aesthetically pleasing laminate cages blend in easily to any pet-care operation. No eye-soars here!
- Superior Wear Resistance
- Impact, water, scratch and abrasion resistant – keeping Clark Cages looking good for the long-haul!
- Low Heat Conduction
- High-pressure laminate doesn’t become too hot or too cold, it maintains a consistent temperature, offering the most dependably pleasant experience for pets.
- Easy to Clean & Maintain
- The laminate surface makes cleaning and sanitizing a breeze. (Removable litter pans and optional removable cage floors makes cleaning even easier!)
- Anodized aluminum cage grates are extremely durable and corrosion-resistant
This ruff-eree has called the match! Clark Cages Laminate is the winner of this match-up. When it comes to getting the most benefit for your dollar, there is a clear winner!