When it comes to outfitting your van with the best accessories, choosing between steel and aluminium can be confusing. Both metals offer advantages and disadvantages - aluminium is lightweight and strong, but steel is robust and highly durable - making the choice dependent on your specific needs and preferences.

Whether you’re a plumber, an electrician, a plasterer, a brick layer, a roofer, or a gardener, it's important to kit your van out to suit your needs. In this blog, we explore the key differences between Steel vs Aluminium to help you choose the best accessories to kit out your van.

Strength and Durability

Steel is renowned for its exceptional strength and durability. It can withstand significant weight and is highly resistant to wear and tear. For heavy-duty applications, such as roof racks or shelving units that need to bear substantial loads, steel is often the preferred choice.

Van Guard have spent years manufacturing a market leading van roof bar system made of aluminium with superior durability and an aerodynamic profile. The latest version of their pioneering roof bar system is manufactured using high-grade structural steel. The ULTIBar Trade Van Roof Bars are not only strong, but also weatherproof. Utilising a unique, anti-corrosion coating the ULTIBar Trade can withstand over 300 hours of salt spray testing.

When weighing up Steel vs Aluminium, think about how often you use your roof rack and what materials you carry on it.

Weight and Fuel Efficiency

When considering which metal is better in the Steel vs Aluminium debate, weight is a critical factor, especially for van owners concerned about fuel efficiency and handling. Aluminium is significantly lighter than steel, which can contribute to better fuel economy and easier handling of the vehicle. This is particularly important for commercial vans that cover long distances and need to maximize fuel savings. Van Guard's aluminium products are crafted to balance strength and lightness, ensuring durability without compromising on ease of use - they also help reduce the overall weight of the van, thus aiding fuel efficiency and performance.

Corrosion Resistance

Ultimately, the choice between Steel vs Aluminium van accessories depends on your specific needs and priorities. Steel offers unparalleled strength and durability, ideal for heavy-duty applications and more budget-conscious van owners. Aluminium provides a lightweight, corrosion-resistant solution, perfect for enhancing fuel efficiency and handling. It's more expensive but it could prove to be a savvy longer-term investment.

Van Guard Accessories offers a comprehensive range of both steel and aluminium products, ensuring that whatever your choice, you receive the highest quality and performance. Their expertise and commitment to excellence make them a trusted partner in equipping your van with the best accessories to meet your needs.