When you’re looking at caskets for sale, things can get confusing. After all, caskets are available in a variety of materials and can be customized to the preferences of the consumer. Some people now even opt for wicker caskets (you can click here to learn more), it all depends on what they want for their final resting place. One of the more difficult decisions to make is the choice of a material.
Caskets made of wood or metal offer you great value for the money. So, how do you make a choice when choosing a casket for a loved one? If you’re not sure about your selection, the following details should help you make a more informed decision.
Choosing Caskets for Sale Made of Metal or Wood
When surveying your choices for metal or wood, it helps to consider factors such as price of caskets, its appearance, ruggedness, cost, and environmental sustainability.
Wood vs Metal – The Casket’s Appearance
When comparing metal with wood, look first at the casket’s appearance. Naturally, your perception of a casket’s design will be based on your own impressions and what you know about your loved one’s likes and dislikes.
Wood naturally conveys more warmth than metal. The material also conveys a downplayed elegance. On the other hand, metal is more contemporary in style. If you wish to add decorations, metal gives you more flexible options for including accents or colors.
For example, you can choose from as many as 20 exterior colors and contrast the top color with the middle and bottom colors. The middle and bottom should feature the same color when making a color choice. You can review the various colors on sites such as Titan Casket online.
The Casket’s Construction
If you’re concerned about the casket’s construction and its ability to stay intact, you should choose metal over wood. Metal caskets are not only thick, their shells are rust-proofed. Even a wood casket, coated for extra durability, will still deteriorate over time.
Pricing Metal and Wood Caskets
When it comes to price, both metal and wood caskets can be affordable or pricey. Therefore, if cost is a consideration, you’ll find both metal and wood caskets that will fit your budget. For example, a mahogany wood casket is just as expensive as a metal casket featuring copper or bronze. You’ll also find metal or wood caskets that are well made that feature less expensive materials.
The Impact on the Environment
If you are concerned about the environment, wood is a better choice, as it will eventually decompose. Metal, on the other hand, is impervious to its surroundings. If you’re more interested in safeguarding the body inside the casket, you’ll want to choose metal. Even if you’re ecologically concerned, metal may still be a better choice for you.
Metal Caskets – Basic Features
Once you decide on metal or wood, you can select the type of metal or wood casket you want. For example, you may want to choose a metal casket that is made of 16-gauge, 18-gauge or 20-gauge carbon or stainless steel if you want to pare down the cost.
Unlike what you might suspect, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the metal. Therefore, an 18-gauge metal casket is thicker than a metal casket made with 20-gauge design.
Both carbon and stainless steel caskets are composed about the same. Their alloy content is what makes them different. Carbon steel contains less than 10.5% in alloys while stainless steel has over that amount.
All-Wood and Solid Wood Caskets
Perhaps, you’ve decided on wood. If so, you may want a solid wood casket made of hardwood, such as walnut, cherry, mahogany, pecan, or oak. An all-wood casket might feature soft wood such as pine.
Select a Casket with Confidence
The above information gives you plenty to consider. Base your choice on what’s important to you in terms of price and durability and what you believe your loved one would have liked as well.
