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All About Zincalume® Steel

 

Colorbond® has an interesting and remarkably reliable partner and industry standard in Zincalume®,
the other most popular type of steel technology, which is readily available today.

I have often referred to Colorbond® steel in this newsletter, providing insights into its history and superior roofing quality, as well as all of those beautiful colours which adorn so many buildings in our region. Colorbond® has an interesting and remarkably reliable partner and industry standard in Zincalume®, the other most popular type of steel technology, which is readily available today.

It was introduced to the market in the 1970s and is the result of many years of extensive research to find a product with optimum performance in life span, high resistance to corrosion and high thermal efficiency.

Zincalume® steel is a premium metallic-coated steel product that consists of 55% aluminium, 43.5% zinc and 1.5% silicon, by volume. However the entire coating is about 80% aluminium. The coating gives it a lifetime of almost four times that of galvanised steel and is lightweight, with edge protection, is non combustible and is entirely resistant to termite attacks, making it ideal as a roofing material.

This highly versatile product is not painted, but comes in an attractive metallic finish which retains its character for at least 25 years without perforation by weathering in the natural elements.

ECMIL offers Zincalume® roof sheeting in 24, 25 or 26 gauge [0.55mm, 0.50mm, 0.41mm & 0.45mm thickness] sizes with matching ridge caps, screws and flashing and has sold this trusted and reliable roof sheeting extensively throughout the Caribbean.

Please note that due to the content of this metallic-coated steel product, it is Incompatible with lead flashing and copper piping.

Although Colorbond® has largely become the roof sheeting of choice in recent years, with its ability to support so many home colour schemes, it is most definitely, in my estimation, worth considering the clean metallic, almost 'industrial' style of a Zincalume® finish, which essentially brings out the truly linear beauty and aesthetic of its chosen profile. The clean machined lines of the 107 trapezoidal style, the casual classic 10/3, or a truly different twist on the rippling Mediterranean Spanish Tile form, might just be the component to turn the dangerously ordinary to the remarkably extraordinary.

Zincalume® is a tried and tested high performance steel for siding too, with a manufacturer recommendation for the use of Zincalume® steel for the collection of drinking water.* Therefore, in terms of design, this product, as a cost effective and eco friendly material, creates many new avenues for its application. From garage roofs and siding, to garden partitions and fences, modern gates and home details, this only requires a little imagination. I have even seen the most innovative internal ceilings created with zincalume® , giving a distinctive visual punch to a modern home.

If you are considering a new, or change of roof, suggest Zincalume® to your designer, as an interesting option and call the sales staff at ECMIL. Ask about this long serving steel and how a traditionally industrial product, can change and enhance your personal construction project.

* product meets the requirements of Australian Standard AS/NZ 4020 - 1999 "Products for use in contact with drinking water".
NB. This article is for general information purposes only and is meant as an incentive to the reader, who should then research and seek advice from their architectural and construction professionals to confirm that the ideas expressed are possible within the building codes of their territory or within the limitations of their home's architecture. ECMIL only recommends their own products and third party products which they supply, as part of their company's roofing solutions to customers.

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