What is the Difference Between Galvanized and Galvalume Metal Roofing Materials?

It can be challenging to decipher which material is suitable for the job when it comes to metal roofing projects. When completing a roofing project with corrugated sheets, two of the most popular roofing materials are galvanized metal and Galvalume metal. Depending on your project specifications, each of these metal roofing products can provide significant advantages over lower-quality materials.

What is Galvanized Metal?

Traditional galvanized metal roofing is a corrugated carbon steel sheet 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 surface finish. This process is called galvanization.
After the coating hardens, the sheet is put through a cold-forming corrugation process, which bends into parallel linear patterns. These “corrugations” give the sheet more strength and stability when installed as a roof.
Typically, galvanized sheet roofs are used mainly for agricultural buildings, where rust is less an issue and costs must be kept low. Galvanized metal roofs may also be used by architects looking for a traditional, rusted appearance in a new building.

Galvanized Metal Advantages

Galvanized metal may be the ticket if you’re in the market for a high-quality metal that provides suitable corrosion protection. Galvanized metal products offer a host of benefits, including:

• Low maintenance
• Economical
• Enhanced strength
• Long-lasting
• Superior protection

Galvanized Metal Applications

Galvanized metals are an ideal material for a broad range of applications. Corrugated sheet galvanized metal products provide enhanced strength and durability to the following industries and applications:

• Agricultural – Barns, storage, animal enclosures, and more
• Structural or industrial applications – Warehouses, factories, and more
• Residential projects – Single-family, multi-family, condominiums, and more
• Commercial buildings – Hospitals, schools, stores, government buildings, and more
• Architectural structures – Commercial, governmental, residential, and more

What is Galvalume Metal?

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

Galvalume Metal Advantages

Galvalume metal products provide superior corrosion protection in any environment. Galvalume’s protective surface coatings guard against ice, rain, and snow better than galvanized steel products. Galvalume metal benefits include:

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Enhanced heat resistance
• Good strength
• Heat reflexive
• Cost-effective

Galvalume Metal Applications

Galvalume metals are precisely manufactured for use in a wide range of industrial applications. These precision corrugated metals are commonly used in the following applications:

• Commercial buildings – Hospitals, schools, stores, government buildings, and more
• Residential projects – Single-family, multi-family, condominiums, and more
• Architectural structures – Commercial, governmental, residential, and more
• Structural or industrial applications – Warehouses, factories, and more
• Agricultural – Non-animal confinement spaces, barns, storage, and more

 
*Please Note - Manure breaks down the alkaline in this material, so it’s not recommended for use with farm animals.

What is the Difference Between Galvalume and Galvanized Steel?

Several key variations differentiate galvanized metal from Galvalume roofing metal products. Both metal roofing materials provide enhanced strength and stability over standard graphite and asphalt shingles, while Galvalume metal products offer enhanced corrosion resistance over standard galvanized metal.

What is Best for Your Roof: Galvanized or Galvalume Steel?

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 salt air.
Paint does not adhere as well to Galvalume, so the aesthetics may not be as good. Also, Galvalume costs more than galvanized metal roofing – but a Galvalume metal roof provides double the life expectancy as a galvanized roof of the same thickness could make up the difference.
For these reasons, Galvalume metal roofs are much more popular.

The IMS Difference

What separates IMS from other metals companies? With an abundance of metal options and customer service that is second to none, IMS has you covered with the following advantages:

• Next day delivery of processed material via our trucks
• Same day pick up in Will-Call
• No minimum purchase
• Support of Just-in-Time manufacturing processes
• Salespeople that act as an extension of your purchasing department (we will get any metal products you need)
• Material management (stocking and delivery on a scheduled basis)
• Credit lines with good terms
• Knowledgeable staff that knows metal
• Six stores that are open six days a week (check each location for specific times)

Delivering Premium Steel Throughout Southern CA, Arizona & Nevada

Industrial Metal Supply is your trusted supplier of premium in-stock galvanized and galvalume steel products, including stainless steel bar, sheet, and plate, as well as tubing, pipe, and structural shapes. Get in touch with our sales team for world-class metal products and services today.