What is the Economic Importance of Galvanization?
Galvanization is the process of applying a thin protective zinc coating to steel, iron, or other metallic materials, which will significantly increase the longevity of the protected materials. The economic importance of this process has many advantages, including its effect on the metals’ durability, environmental benefits, and modern design aesthetics.
In this article, the leading manufacturers and suppliers of galvanized steel at Armco Superlite will explore the economic advantages of using galvanization over other construction materials.
Investigating the Longevity and Durability of Galvanization
One of the principal economic advantages of galvanization is the extended lifespan it provides to steel. Galvanized steel can last for decades, far outliving the longevity of other common building materials such as timber, concrete, bricks, and mortar. This longevity means fewer replacements and repairs, which significantly reduces long-term costs. While wood may rot and concrete might crack over time, galvanized steel remains resistant to environmental wear and tear.
Environmental Benefits of Galvanized Steel
Galvanization also plays an important role in promoting environmentally friendly building practices. Traditional construction materials like timber require frequent replacement, leading to deforestation and higher environmental degradation. Wooden structures need continual maintenance, and the harvesting of trees for construction purposes contributes towards deforestation.
Inversely, galvanized steel, with its proven long lifespan, reduces the need for repeated resource extraction and processing. This longevity results in less frequent replacements and repairs, lowering the overall environmental footprint of many construction projects.
Additionally, the durability of galvanized steel eliminates the need for seasonal or annual maintenance of the material to prevent corrosion. It also equates to a reduction in ongoing labour overheads and avoids increased raw material costs over the lifetime of the building.
Furthermore, the production of materials like bricks and concrete involves high energy consumption and significant emissions of greenhouse gases. The process of creating and transporting these materials contributes to ozone depletion and increased carbon footprints. Galvanizing steel, however, is a one-time process that protects steel for up to 100 years or more, mitigating the need for repeated high-energy production cycles.
Aesthetic Pavement Appeal in Modern Design
Modern architectural design increasingly favours materials that combine durability with pavement appeal. Galvanized steel meets both of these criteria, making it an attractive option for contemporary buildings. The sleek, metallic finish of galvanized steel complements modern design trends, offering a clean and polished look that other materials cannot often match. Moreover, its versatility allows it to be used in many different applications, from structural elements to decorative features, domestically, commercially, and industrially.
Economic Viability of Galvanized Steel
The economic viability of galvanization is obvious when considering the total cost of ownership. While the initial investment in galvanizing steel might be higher than using other rust-prevention options or alternative building techniques, the long-term savings are quite evident and, indeed, substantial.
The reduced need for maintenance and replacements lowers labour and material costs over the building’s lifetime, which makes galvanized steel a wise investment for all types of building projects. Moreover, the product’s versatility allows it to be used in multiple industries, from the pharmaceutical and automotive industry to the F&B, consumer, road safety, and other commercial enterprises.
Why You Should Arm Yourself with Armco
With origins dating back to the early 1930’s, we at Armco Superlite have been supplying superior-quality galvanized products since 1997.
Our Isando galvanizing plant has been operating since 1989. We can accommodate heavy structural steel up to 13m long with an output of around 2000 tons per month. Our equally impressive Randfontein plant has an average output of 800 tons per month and can accommodate light to medium structural steel of up to 6m.
At Armco Superlite, we are a proud, accredited galvanizer listed in accordance with the BSI ISO 9001:2015 quality scheme, ensuring only the best products are produced in our plants. Additionally, we hold the SATAS mark of hot-dipped galvanized steel, and all our galvanized products are manufactured according to the SANS 121 / ISO 1461 specifications. Contact us today for your galvanized steel components and arm yourself with Armco.