Powder-Coated Finish vs Stainless Steel Bird Cages Picking the Perfect Cage Type Your Birds Would Love
The two most popular types of material used in modern bird cage construction are stainless and powder-coated steel. Each material can make for a great enclosure, but how do you know which one is right for you and your bird?
It is time to weigh the pros and cons of each before investing in a home for your feathered friend!
Which Steel is the Real Deal?
Stainless: Sleek and Sturdy
The look of a stainless steel bird cage alone is the biggest reason many bird owners opt for one. The sleek look of a shiny enclosure will immediately draw attention to your bird the instant someone enters the room, making it a great way to showcase your prized pet!
The material used in all stainless parrot cages on our store is 304 Medical Grade - the same type used in almost every industry due to its amazing corrosion-resistance, versatility, and durability. Not all types are created equal which is why we only carry the highest-quality 304 Grade steel.
Stainless steel enclosures are completely non-toxic, rust-free, and a cinch to clean. These characteristics are very important because stain-free homes last a lifetime, so you might as well get one that is easy to maintain! Although there is a more limited selection of these rustless options on the market, you are sure to find the Play Top or Dome Top style you are after.
You must be wondering: If a stainless cage looks good, is extremely durable and easy to clean, why wouldn't I get one? Well, unfortunately, those lucrative characteristics come with a price: they can cost double that of their powder-coated counterparts, making it a tough trade-off to consider when purchasing a new cage.
Our recommendation is to go for a stainless cage if your budget allows for it. You are sure going to love it as much as your parrot, so don't hesitate to pick one up if the price is right!
Powder-Coated: Textured and Tough
While all rust-free steel options will provide the same metallic look, the finish on powder-coated cages come in a variety of colors. Whether Platinum, Pearl White, or Ruby Red, it is easy to add a custom, professional look to your home with a new powder-coated cage. One of the rooms in our house is painted light yellow, which contrasted greatly with the Ruby Red cage we purchased for our first budgie.
The textured powder coating used on modern cages is durable but not completely non-toxic. Although the current technology used in bird cage manufacturing makes the coating very chip-resistant, a resilient bird might be able to eventually chip off and ingest a piece. This is very rare though, so please don't get worried if you already own a powder-coated cage!
While not quite as effortless to wipe clean as their sleek counterparts, powder-coated cages are not much of a hassle to clean up. Either way, you are going to have to get your hands a little dirty to clean up your bird's mess.
The biggest benefit of powder-coated cages is how economical they are! Great cages can be found for under $500, making it very easy for new bird owners to get started.
Powder-coated cages are certainly the affordable way to go when you want to expand your flock!
Which Type is Right for You?
Now that you are familiar with what each material has to offer as well as its pitfalls, it is time to make your selection. As with most choices as an avid pet owner, the decision comes down to personal preference.
Both types of materials provide their own benefits as discussed above, and the decision on which one to purchase usually comes down to look and price.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to figure out which type of cage you should order:
- What color cage would look best in my home? Is there a particular powder-coated finish that you love, or do you prefer the clean stain-free look?
- What is my budget? A budget under $1,000 will generally dictate that you opt for a powder-coated cage
- How many birds do I have or am I looking to get? Would I rather have more birds or a nicer cage? Related to the budget point above, if you have multiple birds it might make more sense to get all powder-coated cages. However, if you only want one bird then stainless steel makes for a great investment.
To shop for the best stainless steel cages on the market, click here. To shop by your favorite look in a new bird cage, click here to see your available options.
There you have it, the two best cage materials have been deciphered! You should now be able to make an informed decision when looking for your next cage. Let us know if you have any questions!