Our team is counselling architects, contractors, and homeowners on the ideal metal roofing product for their design projects every day. And a question that commonly comes up is what the difference is between Galvalume® and galvanized steel.
Galvalume is a trademarked name, but like Kleenex and Coke, many people use it as a generic term to describe a metal roofing product consisting of steel coil coated with a metal alloy that is 45% zinc and 55% aluminum. Bethlehem Steel introduced the Galvalume coating to the construction industry in the early 1970s, and manufacturers quickly adopted it.
This combination of zinc and aluminum gives Galvalume corrosion and heat resistance similar to aluminized material and the bare-edge galvanic protection and forming qualities of galvanized material. These self-healing characteristics allow Galvalume to resist rust and fire while still providing a sturdy and protective covering.
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. Galvalume is not recommended for use in situations where animals are confined, as the ammonia gas released from manure can degrade the metal.
Galvalume has long proven itself as a go-to material because of its strength, outdoor corrosion resistance and longevity. 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. This makes it ideal as a roof, wall, trim, accent, and more in most building applications in some of the most extreme environments, including hurricane zones, locations with high rain or snowfall, and high-temperature regions.
Both galvanized steel and Galvalume weigh 100 to 150 pounds per 100 square feet and contain about 35% recycled materials. But even though Galvalume and galvanized are generally similar, it’s their differing characteristics that indicate their superiority in specific metal roof and wall projects. Contact us to discuss the right substrate for yours.