Why Plastic Corner Guards Are Your Weakest Link

Putting corner guards on your building just makes good sense. Corners are some of the most often damaged parts of a building, both inside and out. Whether it's sleet and wet trying to wriggle into the weak point of a building's exterior, or furniture being moved around inside the office, the corner is where a lot of the damage is going to be done.

That said, if you're going to put up corner guards then choosing plastic corner guards might be like using a paper shield to stop a bullet.

What's Wrong With Plastic Corner Guards?

Plastic corner guards are better than no guards at all, but they're nowhere near as good as metal corner guards. Plastic breaks easily, it's at the mercy of the elements, and the first cold snap can render them brittle and easily cracked. Impacts will crack and break them, and plastic simply won't stand up to long term use. Even interior corner guards simply won't last when comparing plastic to metal.

Why You Should Use Metal Corner Guards Instead

The only advantage that plastic corner guards have over metal ones is their price; plastic is slightly cheaper, without a doubt. It's also important to remember that when it comes to construction and building that you get exactly what you pay for. Metal corner guards come in a variety of materials and types, and they can be decorative, practical, or both! If you need something that fits with your decor then corner guards with a brushed steel finish might add a touch of charm to your interior halls. If you need something on your exterior that will withstand sea side winters then galvanized steel will resist the temperature changes, the salt, and the corrosion that typically comes with a moist atmosphere.


Even the toughest plastics won't be able to hold a candle to metal corner guards, and they'll need to be replaced more often. Buying cheaper corner guards and replacing them every few years (or more) means that in the long term plastic corner guards aren't even less expensive than their metal counterparts.

For more information on the corner guards that will suit your building simply contact us today!