With its durability, steel is longer lasting. In fact, it has one of the highest strength to weight ratios of any construction material. It won't crack, warp, twist, rot, split or settle like wood might. And, your steel building is impervious to vermin damage.

What about appearance? Because of its strength, steel offers increased design flexibility, accommodating larger open spaces without trusses, posts or interior load-bearing walls. Steel will not shrink or swell from humidity over time, which will contribute to better drywall and exterior appearance and better fit of doors and windows. Steel buildings, either unpainted or light in color, also reflect heat in warm climates. That means lower cooling costs.

There is much to be said about safety when it comes to steel buildings.

First, steel doesn't burn. Your property is protected from lightning and fire-blown embers. In fact, steel's role in fire safety may actually contribute to insurance savings.

It's good to know that steel buildings are resistant to decay and mildew because they don't absorb water or moisture, which can lead to rotting and cracking. Steel buildings also provide excellent protection against high winds.

How can steel contribute to better indoor air quality? Well, steel does not require pesticides, resin adhesives or other chemicals that are needed to treat wood framing products.

The steel industry has invested over $50 billion in the latest technologies to make steel more innovative, lower in cost and much stronger. Steel is durable and the most recycled material on earth. It is also produced via a much cleaner, earth-friendly process.

The technology used to manufacture lightweight steel sheets results in the steel’s strength coming from the material and how it is shaped. Since most of the strength and stiffness of the section depend on the shape and not its thickness, strength-to-weight ratios can be very favorable. The steel is then cleaned and coated in an alloy of zinc and aluminum. This process helps provide long-term integrity against moisture, rusting and corrosion.

While prices for other materials have increased, the price for U.S.-produced steel, adjusted for inflation, is 30 percent lower today than in 1984, greatly increasing its competitiveness.

WHAT IS GALVALUME?

Galvalume is an aluminum-zinc coated steel that provides extra corrosion protection. The cost of Galvalume is about the same as that of galvanized steel.

Galvalume offers the best qualities of aluminum-coated (aluminized) and zinc-coated (galvanized) steels. It has barrier corrosion resistance and heat resistance similar to aluminized and good bare edge galvanic protection and forming qualities like galvanized. So, Galvalume will resist rust, the elements and fire while providing a sturdy and protective covering.

Currently, uses for Galvalume include car mufflers, standing seam roofing, tubing for fences, greenhouses, steel buildings and much more.  Galvalume offers excellent cost-effectiveness, which we pass on to our customers.

CORROSION RESISTANCE

Galvalume, by virtue of its combined protection of aluminum and zinc, has at least twice the service life, in most atmospheric environments, of conventional galvanized steel with the same coating thickness.

In a series of exposure tests performed over a 13-year period by Bethlehem Steel, Galvalume steel was found to outlast galvanized by:


Four times in exposure tests in a severe marine environment 

Twice as long in a less severe marine location 

Six times longer in industrial environments 

Three times longer in rural situations 

HIGH TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCE

Galvalume steel resists intermediate and high temperatures far more effectively than galvanized steel. 

Specifically, Galvalume steel shows no discolouration up to 315°C (600°F) during continuous or intermittent exposure over a prolonged period. Above this temperature, some discolouration does occur and roughening of the surface is possible. Neither this discolouration nor roughening, however, reduces Galvalume’s resistance to rust. Galvalume maintains its rust-resistance up to 675°C (1,250°F). 

Additionally, Galvalume has excellent heat reflectivity, up to operating temperatures of about 315°C (600°F). This heat reflectivity makes a building cooler inside on hot, sunny days.


PAINTING GALVALUME

Galvalume readily accepts most of the paints recommended for galvanized steel. The surface should be dry and free of oil, grease, dirt, dust and other contaminants. No weathering period is necessary.

The following suggestions of paint types should be used only as a guideline. Specific paints and recommendations should be discussed with paint suppliers.

Details on Primers & Paints 
A paint supplier should be consulted to select the most appropriate painting system and to ensure compatibility of primer and topcoat.


GALVALUME GUARANTEES

Blueline takes pride in providing the best steel building solution on the market. Due to our commitment to top-quality engineering using the best materials, we offer guarantees on all of our products.

Blueline's high performance buildings are manufactured of tough, 14 to 26-gauge AZ180 Galvalume steel. This brand of steel carries a factory warranty of 30 years.

For more information about our warranties, contact us using the online form or by calling us on +44 (0)1709 578333