You may have come across the terms steel, galvalume vs galvanized in the course of your research on the various materials available for the construction of your metal roof sheet. So, what exactly differentiates these three choices from one another? And how exactly can you choose which one is the best option for you? It is easy to become confused while attempting to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of galvalume and galvanized roofing. And while the process of constructing a new roof may already be both expensive and stressful, we are excited to provide our experience in this area. We have compiled a useful guide that will assist you in selecting the roofing material that is best suited to meet your requirements. Continue reading to find out more about the differences between galvalume and galvanized roofing, as well as the advantages of having a galvalume roof. What exactly is galvalume, then? Galvalume is a form of steel roof coating that is made from aluminum, zinc, and silicon. It is one of the most popular roofing materials that can be purchased in the market today. More than fifty percent of the coating is composed of aluminum, which gives it increased resistance to corrosion. In the early 1970s, the Bethlehem Steel construction business came up with the idea for the galvalume coating. This coating is applied on steel coils by hot-dipping the metals in order to make them stick to the material. You have the option of leaving the coating in its natural mill finish or painting it in a number of colors. What Applications Are There for Galvalume? Galvalume's primary function is to prevent steel from oxidizing, also known as rusting, which would otherwise undermine the substance's structural integrity. There are a lot of different applications for it, but the most typical ones are for external metal panels and roofing made of metal. Especially in climates that are prone to hurricanes, humidity, intense heat, or high rainfall or snowfall, it may be put on a wall, building trim, or as an accent. Galvalume is not an excellent material for the installation of fasteners, nor is it suitable for locations in which it may be exposed to alkaline, since this will cause the aluminum within the coating to become compromised. Because damaged galvalume does not function as well as unharmed galvalume, it is not well-suited for circumstances in which it has a high risk of being scratched or dented. Because manure wears away the galvalume coating over time, galvalume metal roofs should not be utilized in buildings that are used to house animals. Advantages of Using Galvalume When compared to galvanized steel, galvalume has a number of advantages that are not found in the latter. The following is a short list of the possible justifications for your selection of galvalume:
- Resistant to Corrosion
The fact that galvalume is resistant to corrosion is the primary reason for its high value. Because aluminum is added to the coating, galvanized steel's resistance to corrosion is increased by a factor of two in this material. The material performs exceptionally well in situations that are subjected to high levels of humidity and severe weather.
- Having a low weight
Galvalume has an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio despite the fact that it is a lightweight material. Even if the sheet metal is bent or manipulated, the flexible covering will not break or flake off as a result of the stress.
- Makes efficient use of energy
When used as a roofing material, galvalume is highly reflective and can withstand extremely high and low temperatures, which means that it reduces the amount of heat that is absorbed and increases energy efficiency. Throughout the course of the year, you will spend less money on both cooling and heating if you use galvalume roofing panels.
- The ability to afford it
When compared to galvanized steel, the price of galvalume is significantly lower, which attracts a significant number of customers. It is a material that requires no upkeep and will endure for at least 40 years, which will result in significant cost savings over the course of its existence.
- Longevity
Although galvalume metal roofing stands out due to its proficiency in withstanding the passage of time, all types of metal roofing offer great lifespan. In contrast, a galvalume roof won't start to wear out for at least 20 to 30 years after it was installed, whereas a galvanized steel roof could start deteriorating in as little as 10 to 15 years.
- Versatility
Galvalume is a material that has a wide range of applications due to its adaptability and versatility. It is simple to roll or bend it, and it can even be imprinted to give it a different appearance. Even asphalt shingles or wood underlayment can be laid on top of the panels without causing any problems during the installation process. What exactly is the distinction between galvanized and galvalume? As you are aware at this point, galvanized and galvalume roofing materials each have their own unique qualities and cannot be substituted for one another. In comparison to galvanized steel, what are the most important characteristics of galvalume? Here are some of the most important points.
Galvanized sheet metal construction
Zinc is the only component of galvanized steel sheet, while aluminum, zinc, and a trace quantity of silicon make up galvalume. In compared to galvanized coating in metal construction, this provides a greater level of durability as well as resistance to corrosion. Thickness Both galvalume and galvanized steel are created using a method known as hot-dipping, and both have a thickness that is roughly equivalent to one millimeter. Galvalume is also known as galvalume steel. This thickness may vary slightly from one material to the next, but in general, the galvalume coating will last longer than the galvanized coating on steel if both coatings are the same thickness. This is true even if the galvalume and galvanized coatings are of the same substance. Longevity Before showing any symptoms of wear, galvalume often lasts for approximately twice as long as galvanized steel does. This is something that we have already said. Aluminum, which is added to the coating to keep it from oxidizing, is mostly to blame for this phenomenon. Uses Because of its resistance to corrosion, galvalume is an excellent choice for a wide variety of situations, including those that are hot and humid, as well as commercial structures, residential dwellings, storage units, and more. Roofing made of galvanized metal performs well in arid climates that are free of significant amounts of air pollution and standing water. Capacity for One's Own Healing Near the edges of the panel where it was cut, the majority of steel roofing materials will develop a phenomenon known as "edge creep." Galvalume is "self-healing," which means that it will ultimately stop creeping and won't spread rust all over the panel. This is a very fortunate property. The edge creep rusting, however, will only get worse over time because galvanized steel does not have a self-healing property. Warranty Because of their reputation for durability and longevity, most galvalume roofing materials come with a warranty. This is because galvalume roofing materials are manufactured to last. However, the vast majority of galvanized materials do not come with a warranty because of their unpredictability and lack of dependability, particularly when they have begun to rust. Pricing The pricing of galvanized steel and galvalume steel is comparable because of the similarities in the manufacturing processes that underlie their production. Roofing made entirely of steel is more expensive than roofing made of asphalt shingles; but, due to the product's greater durability, it is typically more cost-effective in the long run. Appearance When compared to galvanized steel, galvalume is often regarded as having a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than the latter. The differences between these two coatings are slight, but galvalume has a smoother and more matte look, whilst galvanized coating has a rougher and more glossy appearance. Utilization of galvanized steel sheets in construction Galvanized steel sheets are sheets that are utilized in a wide variety of applications and see a significant amount of usage overall. Roofing, side walls, partitions, panels, valley gutters, louvers, false ceilings, partition walls and ducts, rolling shutters, highway bumpers, slotted angles, and paint coves are just some of the typical applications for galvanized steel sheets in the following industries: I agriculture, including grain silos, sprayers, pans, and feeding troughs. (ii) the automobile industry, including car, bus, and truck bodies; undercarriage work; air and oil The usage of galvanized steel sheets comes with a number of advantages. Putting galvanized steel sheets to use offers a number of benefits to the user. These advantages are I low cost material because galvanizing has a lower cost than many other normally specified protective coatings for steel, (ii) less maintenance cost because galvanized steel sheets are virtually maintenance free and last longer. (iii) long life because the life expectancy of the galvanized steel sheets is quite high in rural, urban, and coastal environments, (iv) reliability because galvanizing is normally carried out according to standards and minimum coating thickness, and (v) long life because galvanized steel (v) the toughest coating available because the galvanized coating has a one-of-a-kind metallurgical structure that provides it with exceptional resistance to mechanical damage during transit, erection, and service. (vi) automatic protection for damaged areas because galvanized coatings corrode preferentially to steel, thereby providing the steel cathodic or sacrificial protection to small areas of steel exposed through damage; this is in contrast to organic coatings, and small damaged areas do not require any touch up. and (vii) the ability for small damaged areas to retain their original appearance; (vii) complete protection because every part of a galvanized steel sheet is protected. (viii) ease of inspection because galvanized coating can be assessed readily by eye, and simple non-destructive thickness testing methods can be used, (ix) galvanizing process is not dependent on weather conditions, and (x) the surface of a galvanized steel sheet has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Understanding the Differences Between Galvanized and Galvalume Metal Roofing Materials There are some important distinctions that may be made between galvanized metal and galvalume roofing metal products. Both types of metal roofing materials offer superior levels of strength and stability in comparison to ordinary graphite and asphalt shingles, while Galvalume metal goods offer superior levels of corrosion resistance in comparison to standard galvanized metal. Which Type of Metal Is Better for Your Roof: Galvanized Metal or Galvalume Metal? So, which one is preferable when it comes to a roof? There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each variety. Because Galvalume has a higher resistance to corrosion than other metals, it is a superior option for use in environments with high levels of salt air and precipitation. Scratches, bends, and cut edges will not rust as quickly when Galvalume is used. Galvalume is a material that paint does not stick to as well, which means the aesthetics may not be as appealing. In addition, galvalume metal roofing is more expensive than galvanized metal roofing; however, given that a galvalume metal roof has twice the life expectancy of a galvanized roof of the same thickness, this price difference may be offset by the longer lifespan of the galvalume roof. Galvalume metal roofs are substantially more popular than other types of metal roofs for these reasons. Which Type of Roofing Is Best for Me? It is in everyone's best interest to consult with a local specialist who has prior expertise working with galvalume and galvanized steel. An experienced specialist will be able to make the finest recommendation for your building by taking into account the activities that are planned to take place there as well as the weather that is forecasted for the area. No matter what you chose, a steel roof is likely to endure longer and give greater protection than wood or asphalt shingles. You will be able to take advantage of the long-term benefits of durability, safety, and energy efficiency when you install a steel roof, whether it is galvanized or Galvalume.