--- title: "The difference between steel and aluminum: comparing profiles" description: Do you know which profile is best suited to your business? Let's discover the difference between steel and aluminum and explore the Profall catalog. --- [blog ](https://www.profall.com/en/blog) # [The difference between steel and aluminum: comparing profiles](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles) Written by [Roberto De Lorenzi](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/author/roberto-de-lorenzi-1) | Dec 14, 2017 5:00:00 AM Although they have the same shape and may seem identical to an inexperienced eye, aluminum and steel have apparent differences: physical and mechanical characteristics that make them, in some ways, two truly polar products. Here is a brief overview of the similarities and differences between steel and aluminum to help you choose the Profall profile that best suits your needs.   ## Let’s take a closer look: - [the difference between steel and aluminum in weight, corrosion resistance, cost, ease of manufacture and installation](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles?hs_amp=true#difference-between-steel-and-aluminium) - [the advantages of Profall aluminum profiles](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles?hs_amp=true#why-choose-profall-aluminum-extrusion) - [all of our services, in addition to the manufacturing of profiles](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles?hs_amp=true#services-for-aluminum-profiles)   ## The difference between steel and aluminum in 6 parameters ### Weight The first difference between steel and aluminum is in their weight. Aluminum profiles are **lighter** than steel profiles. This makes them more suitable for **small structures**, which are often provisional and positioned on intermediate floors. On the other hand, **steel** profiles are more suited to **stable and durable structures**, such as building systems made of concrete. ### Corrosion resistance **Steel** is more subject to **corrosion** than aluminum; therefore, aluminum profiles have more excellent corrosion resistance. However, if the steel profiles are made of stainless steel, a material that does not corrode and resists weather very well, the **difference between aluminum and steel is more negligible**, and the profiles have the same corrosion resistance. ### Cost Aluminum is **more expensive** than steel. For this reason, aluminum profiles are usually more expensive than steel ones. In any case, the cost of a profile depends not only on the raw material but also on the **treatments** and **processing** that the material must undergo; thus, the cost of aluminum and steel profiles varies according to the specific application needs. [Contact us! ](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles?hs_amp=true#form)   ### Manufacturing ease Another difference between steel and aluminum is manufacturing ease. **Aluminum** profiles are easier to make because aluminum is a much **more malleable **material than steel. As a result, processing costs are generally lower. ### Installation ease **Aluminum **extrusions are assembled through **joints**, while steel extrusions are usually welded together. Thus, aluminum profiles **are easier** to install and disassemble: that is why they are often used for temporary structures.   **Can't choose between aluminum and steel?** **Contact our team of experts: we will help you solve any doubts.** [CONTACT US](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles?hs_amp=true#form)     ## Why choose Profall aluminum extrusions Besides the differences between steel and aluminum, there are also significant differences between the various aluminum profiles. **Should I choose from standard or custom? It depends.** At Profall, we carefully study your needs to make sure that the aluminum profiles fully meet your application needs. We use **1050, 1070, 3003, 3103, 3004, 6060, 6063, 6005 aluminum alloys**. As you can see, the range can cover all the technical needs of the reference sectors. **From our catalog, you can choose between aluminum profiles that are:** [**Standard**](https://www.profall.com/en/standard-aluminum-extrusion-profiles). These are profiles with simple shapes, or those that are most commonly used in most production sectors: round or square bars, flat bars, round, square or flat tubes, simple U or double E channels, H, Z, and C profiles. Aluminum corner extrusion with even sides Aluminum corner extrusion with uneven sides Aluminum double duct profiles Aluminum flat bar Aluminum flat bars with rounded edges Aluminum H section Aluminum rectangular tubing Aluminum round bar Aluminum round tubing Aluminum semicircular elements Aluminum square bar Aluminum square tubing Aluminum T-track Aluminum U channel extrusions Aluminum Z bar     [**Special**](https://www.profall.com/en/special-aluminum-extrusion-profiles). All aluminum profiles are made to a **specific design** and with **complex** technical **characteristics** intended for various sectors. For example, these could be glazing bead profiles, automotive edges, joint covers, frames, handles, handrails, etc. Special U-profiles Aluminum glazing extrusions Aluminum borders with screw attachments Aluminum trim profiles for motor vehicles Transition strips with shanks Aluminum picture frames Extruded aluminum handles Aluminum drainers and water deflectors Aluminum curve profiles Corner elements with special cross-sections Handrail extrusions   As an [aluminum angle supplier](https://www.profall.com/en/aluminum-angle-suppliers), Profall can** customize **both types of profiles – depending on your specific needs. For example, we can make profiles with new shapes that have never been seen before, **very thin** profiles, or profiles with **tolerances** that the majority of suppliers cannot offer. The feather in our company’s hat is the manufacturing of **custom aluminum profiles** even with minimal dimensional tolerances and high technical complexity, which you will hardly find elsewhere. ## Our services for aluminum profiles make the difference Customization and the high technical complexity of production are not the only pluses of our company. The **service quality** is another central aspect that distinguishes the Profall brand. **When you choose our profiles, you will receive:** - a request analysis and feasibility feedback quickly - quick prototyping and pre-serial production - delivery of finished products in approximately two weeks - after-sales technical support ### **The processing and post-production treatments that we can provide you** The experience of our engineers and specialized technicians, who are thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of aluminum, its advantages, and differences with steel, allows us to offer a high degree of **customization** and a very advanced level of **detail**. All your requests - profiles with extra-standard shapes, characteristics, tolerances - will be cared for by our designers. Among the processing that we offer, you will find: - **aluminum cutting**, with different types of saws and very tight tolerances - **shearing** using cutting-edge software - **aluminum surface treatment**, with advanced brushing techniques to remove any impurity and guarantee any color, hardness, and sheen - **aluminum packaging**, with the possibility of applying logos, bar codes, and specific identifications according to the various needs.   **Are you looking for a high-quality aluminum profile?** [CONTACT US WITH NO OBLIGATION ](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles?hs_amp=true#form)       [View full post](https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Roberto De Lorenzi" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-07T12:15:01.670Z", "datePublished" : "2017-12-14T05:00:00Z", "headline" : "The difference between steel and aluminum: comparing profiles", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 350, "url" : "https://144410004.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/144410004/Imported_Blog_Media/profili-alluminio-e-profili-acciaio-a-confronto_i2006-knheyh-l2.webp", "width" : 500 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.profall.com/en/blog/the-difference-between-steel-and-aluminum-comparing-profiles", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "blog" } } ```