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“What is the difference between Galvalume galvanized metal?”
These two metals, which are technically coatings applied to a steel core, aren't all that different one another by definition. However, the benefits drawbacks of Galvalume galvanized metal significantly differ, including how long each one lasts, the expectations of how each one will perform, more.
While our Galvalume coils sheets used in the architecturally-driven metal roof wall industry, we sell galvanized metal products as well.
In essence, we believe it’s important that you know the different attributes of these two materials so you can make the best choice for your project.
In this article, expect to learn:
What is Galvalume?
The pros cons of Galvalume
What is galvanized?
The pros cons of galvanized
Bethlehem Steel introduced the Galvalume coating to the construction industry in the early 1970s. Galvalume roofing material combines three of the most important metals used in roofing today—steel, aluminum, zinc. Manufacturers begin with a carbon steel base sheet that is then continuously hot-dipped with aluminum zinc alloys until it reaches a coating consisting of 55% aluminum, 43.4% zinc, 1.6% silicone. This process/product allows for one material to have some of the best characteristics of each metal, which is why it’s become one of the most popular materials in today’s roofing market.
Overall, Galvalume is suitable as a roof, wall, trim, accent, more in most building applications in some of the most extreme environments, including hurricane zones, locations with high rain snowfall, high-temperature regions, more.
Some common uses for Galvalume include:
Commercial buildings – Hospitals, schools, stores, government buildings, more
Residential projects – Single-family, multi-family, condominiums, more
Architectural structures – Commercial, governmental, residential, more
Structural/industrial applications – Warehouses, factories, more
Agricultural – Non-animal confinement spaces, barns, storage, more
Electric Appliance – Back Plate of Microwave Ovens, Refrigerators, Washing Machine, Electric Range, Air Conditioners, Muffler, more
However, there are some situations Galvalume is recommended for use. In these situations below, the main concern is that the coating will prematurely break down cause the roof wall system to fail quicker than if it were in that location.
Here are some circumstances Galvalume should be used:
Buildings animals are confined – Galvalume is suitable for use on buildings animals are regularly housed held. Manure the animals breaks down into ammonia gas over time then reacts with the Galvalume coating. This process breaks down the Galvalume coating leads to degradation of the metal. However, Galvalume is sometimes used on modern chicken houses that are built with a vapor barrier between the chicken area the roof for appropriate ventilation. It’s best to check with the manufacturer before putting Galvalume on an animal confinement building, as it depends on the design.
In coastal environments – The coating of Galvalume will stand up to the conditions associated with a coastal environment, including properties up against breaking surfs, large bays, marshes, other coastlines. Specifically, the large amount of salt (sodium chloride) will harm the Galvalume coating prematurely degrade the roof wall system. It’s recommended that properties within a certain distance of a coast use an engineered aluminum roof system, as aluminum resists corrosion rusting saltwater for much longer. Plus, aluminum systems still come a 25-year paint warranty in coastal areas
Warranties – One of the number one selling points of Galvalume is long time warranty.
Corrosion resistance – When compared to galvanized metal, Galvalume’s corrosion resistance is about two to four times better. Galvalume’s formula was designed to combine the toughness strength of zinc with the rust-resistance of aluminum. Research conducted by the Metal Construction Association (MCA) indicates that Galvalume roofing could last as long as 50 to 60+ years without any extreme signs of corrosion.
Self-healing properties – All steel-based products have some degree of edge creep the exposed steel when the coil is cut, but it can be offset by hemming touching up exposed edges with paint pens. An advantage of Galvalume that stems this concept is the fact that it has self-healing characteristics that help control the red rusting at the cut/exposed edges. (Note: A small degree of red rusting at cut edges is normal, but with a Galvalume coating, it will eventually stop.)
Economical – For the most part, Galvalume is reasonably priced one of the most affordable metal materials available for roofing products. Depending upon the thickness, color, quality of the desired Galvalume panels.
Oil canning – Oil canning is an inherent characteristic of light-gauge, cold-formed metal products, especially products with broad flat areas. It is a visual phenomenon seen as waviness distortion in the flat surfaces of metal wall roofing products. Oil canning is only an aesthetic concern that does affect the strength performance of the system. This occurrence is a possibility for any kind of metal roofing walls, including Galvalume.
But there are methods to minimize the appearance of oil canning, including:
Hiring an experienced contractor who knows the best material handling practices that help reduce oil canning
Using striations bead stiffeners in the flat area of the panel to minimize the appearance of oil canning
Interactions with Other Materials – Combining different metals on a metal roof system can actually lead to interactions that could result in early degradation, staining, potential failure of a system altogether. Galvalume performs best when in contact with copper, bricks, treated lumber, iron, concrete. If Galvalume is in contact with one of these is then introduced to an electrolyte, such as water, it can lead to galvanic corrosion of the metal.
Galvanized steel products have been around since the 17th century, but the process of “galvanizing” materials became a wide-spread practice in the early 19th century. Galvanization ( commonly referred to as galvanized) is a protective zinc coating that is applied to a steel iron substrate through a hot-dip galvanizing process.
Galvanized metal can be used in the same applications as Galvalume
Like Galvalume, galvanized products are suited for use on animal enclosures in coastal environments. In fact, galvanized products will degrade quicker in these environments, as the corrosion resistance is less than Galvalume.
Advantages / Pros of Galvanized:
Mid-level price point – Historically, galvanized was generally the cheaper material when compared to Galvalume.
Longevity in the right environment– When galvanized metal roofing wall systems are installed in the right environment, they’ve been known to last decades. It’s recommended that galvanized roofs are used in drier climates there is a nearby coastline, an animal enclosure, significant air pollution. Pooling water, salt spray, animal manure, air pollution can quickly corrode galvanized metal.
Disadvantages / Cons of Galvanized:
Oil canning – Like Galvalume, galvanized metal can also develop oil canning in the flat areas of the panel. To reduce the possibility of oil canning, use the preventative methods outlined in this article.
Red rust – The zinc coating on galvanized sheet/coil does a good job protecting the steel core for the first decade so of use. Though once any part of the steel core is exposed, the metal will start to red rust, which is both unsightly will eat away at the metal over time. Plus, once the red rust starts on a galvanized roof wall, it will continue to red rust rather quickly.
self-healing – As we discussed, all steel products inherently have some degree of “edge creep” near cuts exposed edges of the panels. The problem with galvanized metal, painted , is that once it starts to red rust, it doesn’t eventually stop as Galvalume does. The rust on galvanized will just continue to spread get worse because it doesn’t have that self-healing property.
Even though Galvalume galvanized are generally similar in the way they’re created, they have different characteristics that affect how each one should be used in metal roof wall projects.
Here’s a recap of what we discussed:
Galvanized:
A zinc coating hot-dipped onto a steel core with origins dating back to the 17th century.
Often warrantied due to unpredictability can develop excessive red rust when core is exposed.
Comes at a similar price point to Galvalume.
Galvalume:
An aluminum, zinc, silicone coating applied to steel core via hot-dipping process.
Often offered with paint, substrate, weathertight warranty options has self-healing properties.
Like galvanized products, Galvalume is susceptible to oil canning.
At XINO STEEL, we are dedicated to providing educating our customers with the information they need to make the best most informed decision.
– We want to help you with your metal project.
