Galvalume Vs Galvanized Roofing

Two popular roofing materials that use this process of binding two or more dissimilar metals are referred to as galvanized and galvalume each of which use steel as the base metal.

Galvalume vs galvanized roofing.

The zinc acts as a protective layer to iron or steel to prevent rust. For these reasons galvalume metal roofs are much more popular. Galvalume is offered in both bare and pre coated versions. Before the introduction of galvalume to the metal roofing industry in the late 20th century using galvanized sheet and coil was a common practice.

Aluminum has tremendous corrosion resistance so it will generally corrode more slowly than galvanized steel. The one exception is when the coating is penetrated scratched or chipped by falling or blowing debris for example. Most galvalume like galvanized steel is coated. Galvanized metal and galvalume metal both create stunning looks on interior and exterior metal projects.

Galvalume is similar to galvanized steel but instead of coating the steel in zinc oxide it is hot dipped in a mixture of zinc aluminum and silicone. While galvalume can initially show signs of corrosion faster than galvanized it has a sacrificial property that will prevent the corrosion from growing whereas once corrosion has started on a galvanized panel it can continue to corrode until panel integrity is lost. Galvanized metal roofs may also be used by architects looking for a traditional rusted appearance in a new building. Galvalume is more corrosion resistant than galvanized steel but because aluminum provides barrier protection instead of galvanic protection scratches and cut edges are less protected.

Galvalume and galvanized steel roofing are affected differently by corrosion. However because of the superior durability and corrosion resistance of galvalume 90 percent of the metal roofing and wall industry in the early 2000s transitioned from galvanized substrates to a galvalume substrate. Galvalume also has improved corrosion resistance but it also has better heat resistance thanks to the aluminum and silicone. Iron or steel can be coated with zinc.

When we looked gavalume vs galvanized roofing it s important to note galvanized metal roofing is similar to galvalume metal roofing in that the galvanized coating is protecting the steel underneath it from corrosion and rusting. Typically galvanized sheet roofs are used mainly for agricultural buildings where rust is less of an issue and costs must be kept low.