Three grades are commonly used for bathroom drainage: 201, 304 and 316. They differ mainly in corrosion resistance. 201 is the most economical and the least corrosion-resistant; 304 is the standard choice for bathrooms in most markets; 316 adds molybdenum for resistance to chlorides and is specified for coastal, pool and marine environments.
Comparison
| 201 | 304 | 316 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel content | Low (partly replaced by manganese) | Standard | Standard |
| Molybdenum | No | No | Yes (2–3%) |
| Corrosion resistance | Basic | Good | Superior — resists chlorides |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Mid | Highest |
| Appearance | Identical | Identical | Identical |
| Typical use | Middle East, East Asia and African markets; dry and well-ventilated interiors | Standard bathrooms worldwide; the market default for Europe, North America and Australasia | Coastal, swimming pools, marine, aggressive cleaning regimes |
201: where it fits and where it does not
201 is the lowest-cost option and is widely used in the Middle East, East Asia and African markets. It has the lowest corrosion resistance of the three, and bathrooms are a demanding environment — constant moisture, soaps, and cleaning chemicals.
More suitable for:
- Well-ventilated bathrooms in dry climates
- Middle East, East Asia and African markets, where 304 pricing would not be competitive
- Applications where the fitting is not continuously wet
Less suitable for:
- Coastal or high-humidity locations
- Wet areas with limited ventilation
- Markets where building standards specify a minimum grade
- Commercial and hospitality projects where replacement cost outweighs product cost
304: the standard choice
304 is the default specification for bathroom drainage in most markets. It offers a good balance of corrosion resistance and cost, and it is what most distributors, contractors and specifiers expect when no other grade is stated.
If you are supplying Europe, North America, Australia or New Zealand, 304 is normally the correct baseline.
316: for chlorides
316 contains molybdenum, which substantially improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion — particularly against chlorides. It is specified where the drain will be exposed to:
- Coastal air and salt spray
- Swimming pool and spa water
- Marine and offshore environments
- Aggressive chlorine-based or acidic cleaning regimes
How grade is confirmed
The three grades are visually identical. Grade is confirmed by material certificate, not by appearance. If grade matters for your project, request the material documentation with the order.
What we supply
Our drainage range is supplied primarily in 201 and 304 stainless steel. Brass is available as a custom option on selected models. Finish options are brushed or electroplated.
Not sure which grade suits your market? Tell us the destination country and application and we will advise. Contact us