Is Vitreous Enamel Safe? The enamel experts explain!
As the UK’s vitreous enamel experts, with 50 years of manufacturing experience, we are well placed to discuss vitreous enamel’s excellent safety profile and its suitability for use in a wide range of sectors.
Vitreous enamel is a safe non-toxic coating and the optimum material for a variety of uses. It offers superior heat resistance and is used in areas where fire safety is paramount. It is non-porous which makes it more hygienic and easier to clean and well suited to kitchen and bathroom environments.
Read on to get all the details on why vitreous enamel is so safe!
1/ A vitreous enamel coating is fire safe
Vitreous enamel surfaces are fired in a furnace at temperatures exceeding 800°C which results in an extremely heat and fire-resistant surface. Demonstrating this, vitreous enamel was selected as the material of choice to replace combustible materials throughout the London Underground. A decision made because of the tragic fire at Kings Cross in 1987. We have been the London Underground’s principal supplier of vitreous enamel signage, map and cladding since the 1990s.
Our sister company Vlaze make Wood-Burning Heat Shields and heat-resistant splashbacks, which also benefit from vitreous enamel’s inherent heat resistant qualities. They protect combustible surfaces from the high amounts of heat generated from fires and cookers, protecting your home and keeping your family safe.
2/ Vitreous enamel is a safe non-toxic material and fully recyclable
Vitreous enamel is also an extremely stable and safe material for a wide variety of uses, unlike others such as PVC which can release traces of toxic chlorine gas over time. The compounds and oxides used to make vitreous enamel are all naturally derived. Our spray enamels are all water-based, while our print enamels are natural pine oil-based – not petroleum. This means vitreous enamel can be recycled at the end of its long life.
3/ A vitreous enamel coating is a safe and hygienic surface
Vitreous enamel coatings are made by fusing powdered glass into a substrate at extremely high temperatures. This process melts the powder which hardens to a smooth, durable, vitreous coating that is non-porous. This helps eliminate the absorption of dirt, moulds, bacteria etc. It’s also extraordinarily easy to clean and maintain – with just an intermittent wipe of a damp cloth with a product such as Astonish cleaning spray required. As a result, it is frequently requested in both the home and professional hospitality settings.
4/ Vitreous enamel is tried and tested with a long history
Vitreous enamel has stood the test of time having been used for centuries, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens for its heat resistant and hygienic qualities. Consumer objects, including kitchen sinks and cooking vessels, have been coated in vitreous enamel since the 18th Century. This process continues to this day, and there are a number of brands most of us recognise, including those favourite wedding list staples, Le Creuset cookware and the unmistakable ice-white and blue-rimmed Falcon enamelware.
Generations have benefitted from the wonder that is a vitreous enamel coating. Its safety profile and versatility are remarkable, and people continue to innovate new and ingenious uses to this day. It is simply unrivalled in its ability to marry, functionality, durability, safety, and beauty. For this reason, this wonder material will continue to be used long into the future across a wide range of sectors.
Please get in touch with our team to discuss a project or check out our extensive portfolio here.