Selecting the proper materials for your plumbing system is a hefty responsibility. You’ve got to consider price points, durability, and resistance to safety hazards like corrosion.

It’s a tough choice, so it’s best to use the guide below to ensure you get the right component when choosing between brass vs stainless steel valves.

WHICH IS BETTER?

Numerous differences separate the quality of brass and stainless steel valves for one reason or another. While brass is an excellent general-purpose metal you can use in a broad range of plumbing jobs, stainless steel has other applications that might make it the superior choice instead.

For one, stainless steel valves are much better in terms of corrosion resistance. In fact, this is the main reason why these components are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for handling food and beverage, while brass valves are not.

Still, this doesn’t mean it’s invulnerable to corrosion. Different types, such as the kind that causes red stains or green-blue stains to appear on the surface or the one that causes leaks, can still affect stainless steel valves. Stainless steel valves can also last much longer than brass and can resist higher temperatures.

On the other hand, brass valves are the preferred option in many residential and commercial plumbing systems. It’s also a much better choice for welding, which can reduce labor costs and project duration.

Because of their different strengths and weaknesses, brass or stainless steel valves can’t be named objectively better than one or the other. Instead, you might find that one suits your needs more conveniently by reading through the following pros and cons.