Metal Roofing 2019: Galvanized Vs Galvalume Roofing

Both galvanized vs galvalume roofing are excellent choices for metal roofing. However, you might find their prices differ minimally or astronomically depending on the supplier. Both materials have their respective pros and cons, but both will deliver the top-quality results metal roofs provide homeowners.

To start, it is greatly important to know all about both galvanized vs galvalume roofing's properties and how they differ from each other. Industrial Metal Supply has an excellent breakdown of their respective differences.

Galvanized Vs Galvalume Roofing: Differences

When completing a project with corrugated sheet should you go with a galvanized or galvalume metal roof?

The answer lies in the difference between the two. Traditional galvanized metal roofing is a corrugated sheet of carbon steel with a galvanized coating. The coating is created by dipping the straight sheet in hot molten zinc. The zinc ions bond with iron molecules in the steel to create a shiny, rust-resistant finish on its surface. This process is called galvanization.

After the coating hardens, the sheet is put through a cold forming corrugation process, which bends the sheet into parallel linear patterns. These “corrugations” give the sheet more strength and stability when it is installed as a roof.

The patented Galvalume process invented by Bethlehem Steel in 1972 is similar to galvanization, but also adds aluminum and silicon to the zinc. As the coating dries, patches of aluminum and zinc molecules coalesce into a pattern across the surface of the sheet. The aluminum areas provide corrosion resistance and the zinc provides galvanization protection. The small amount of silicon helps the coating adhere to the underlying metal, even when it is being cut or rolled into the corrugated shape.

So which one is better for a roof? There are pros and cons to each type.

The extra corrosion resistance of Galvalume means that scratches, bends, or cut edges won’t rust so quickly, and it also makes a better choice in rainy climates and in salt air. (Read More)

We agree that the discussion of advantages and disadvantages on the article above needs more elaboration. First, let's observe the benefits and somewhat cons of galvanized steel sheets. When it comes to galvanized vs galvalume roofing, the former has a lower price tag because it uses zinc instead of aluminum -- a more expensive dipping material.

Learn all about the advantages of galvanized metal roofing from Galvanizer's Association of Australia's great listicle.

The Advantages of Using Galvanized Steel for Roofing

The use of galvanizing for structural steel protection gives you ten major, measurable benefits.

1. Lowest first cost.

Galvanizing is lower in first cost than many other commonly specified protective coatings for steel. (The application cost of labour intensive coatings such as painting has risen far more than the cost of factory operations such as galvanizing.)

2. Less maintenance/Lowest long term cost.

Even in cases where the initial cost of galvanizing is higher than alternative coatings, galvanizing is almost invariably cheapest in the long term (because it lasts longer and needs less maintenance). And, maintenance causes problems and adds to costs when structures are located in remote areas, and when plant shutdown or disruption to production is involved.

3. Long life.

The life expectancy of galvanized coatings on typical structural members is far in excess of 50 years in most rural environments, and 20 to 25 years plus, even in severe urban and coastal exposure. (Read More)

On the other hand, galvalume has excellent resistance when you compare it to galvanized steel. These sheets have three times the corrosion resistance of galvanized roofing. Therefore, most contractors find galvanized vs galvalume roofing on the side of the latter. Then again, it can be quite expensive.

On the other hand, you might just change your mind after reading a dedicated Medium.com article about the pros of using galvalume roofing.

The Advantages of Using Galvalume Metal Roofing

Galvalume steel sheets have many advantages. The corrosion resistance is 3 times as great as the pure galvanized sheets. There are many spangles on the surface which could decorate the house walls.

Here are the advantages of galvalume steel.

1. Great corrosion resistance

Aluminum prevents the galvalume steel coil from corroding. When the zinc is damaged, the aluminum produces the alumina, which prevents the great corrosion resistance material into the cores.

2. Great heat resistance

The galvalume steel sheet has great heat resistance, which could bear the high temperature, over 300 degrees. And it is widely used in chimney, oven, illumination and sunlight lampshade.

3. Heat reflexive

The heat reflexive of Al-Zn alloy coated steel sheets is two times as much as the galvanized sheet. And people often treat it as the thermal insulation material. (Read More)

True enough, both roofing materials are greatly affordable and dependable. However, a correct and precise metal roofing installation makes all the difference to both roofing materials' performances. If you have yet to find a reliable Corpus Christi TX roofer, you can depend on Galvan Builders to help you. We have decades of experience serving local properties with top-tier roofing services. Contact us today to know more!

Originally Published Here: Metal Roofing 2019: Galvanized Vs Galvalume Roofing

Galvan Builders Construction Company
4938 Williams Drive,
Corpus Christi TX 78411
361-857-4341
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