The Upgrade Path · 304 & 316 Stainless
STAINLESS STEEL SERIES
One door, two ways to go further. See how Urban 304 stainless upgrades the standard entrance — and how Milano 316 is positioned higher still for life at the water's edge.
Compare the Grades →The Upgrade Path
Three tiers. Each one goes further.
The same hand-built Palm City entrance — offered at three levels of material. Every step up buys more resistance, less maintenance, and a longer life at the coast.
Standard Steel
Hand-forged steel with a galvanized, clear-coated finish. Beautiful and strong — the proven starting point for covered and inland entries.
Urban 304 SS
Solid stainless throughout with the same finish program as the standard door — corrosion resistance is built into the metal itself. The smart upgrade for most homes.
Milano 316 SS
Molybdenum-alloyed marine grade. Maximum resistance to salt, chlorides, and pool chemistry — the flagship for life at the water's edge.
Step One · The Smart Upgrade
Why 304 stainless is worth it over a standard door.
Standard Steel Door
304 Tubular Stainless
Step Two · The Flagship
How 316 is positioned higher still.
304 is excellent stainless. But at the waterline — salt spray, chlorides, pool chemistry — 316 adds molybdenum to resist pitting where 304 eventually can't.
Architectural Grade
Marine Grade
Side by Side
The full comparison.
| Feature | Standard Steel | Urban 304 SS | Milano 316 SS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base material | 12-ga tubular iron | 304 tubular stainless | 316 marine stainless |
| Corrosion resistance | Galvanized + clear-coat | Inherent (chromium) | Maximum (Cr + molybdenum) |
| Coastal / salt exposure | Limited | Good | Exceptional |
| Finish program | Same paint system | Same paint system | Kynar Paint System |
| Maintenance | Periodic refinishing | Low | Minimal |
| Sightlines | Standard | Slim tubular | Maximum Glass |
| Impact rating | HVHZ available | HVHZ · ±70 PSF | HVHZ · ±80 PSF |
| Best environment | Inland / covered | Inland & coastal | Waterfront & high-exposure |
| Positioning | Baseline | The smart upgrade | The flagship |
Specify to the Site
Where each grade belongs.
Standard / 304
Inland & Covered
Behind a deep overhang or set back from the coast, 304 stainless is more than enough — and standard steel remains a beautiful, economical choice.
Milano 316
Coastal Exposure
Within a few miles of open water, salt in the air accelerates corrosion. 316 marine grade is the grade that shrugs it off, year after year.
Milano 316
Waterfront & Poolside
At the seawall, dock, or pool deck, chlorides are relentless. Only 316's molybdenum alloy holds its finish where the environment is most demanding.
Hardware & Glass
Hardware follows the series.
Each grade carries the hardware and glass program of the series it comes from. Browse the full handle sets, pulls, finishes, and glass options on the respective series page.
Not Sure Which Grade?
Tell us where the door will live and we will spec the right grade — 304 for the smart upgrade, 316 for the waterfront. Any shape, any size.