Protecting Your Home Against the Elements with Professional Sheathing
From culverts and underground tunnels to outhouses, feed storage rooms, and houses, steel sheathing is arguably the most versatile building material for outside structures. Also known as cladding, this building material can be utilised as both roofing and siding solutions. If installed correctly, it can be your home’s first line of defence against the elements. It protects your family from the cold, heat, rain, hail, and snow.
Many materials can be used as cladding to successfully enclose your home and outbuildings, but even the best exterior shell can begin to deteriorate over time, especially if it is not prepared and treated correctly. External cladding aims to enhance your home with materials that are long-lasting and need as little maintenance as possible so that you can concentrate on more pressing chores.
That is where steel sheathing can assist. This cladding is durable, weather-resistant, and pest-resistant, and can help to protect your home from Africa’s harshest elements for years. If professionally galvanized, steel sheathing has been known to last up to 10 decades with minimal maintenance. Moreover, it is fire-resistant, making it an ideal choice for buildings in areas that are known for run-away wildfires.
In this article, the leaders in the manufacturing of steel sheathing and galvanizing at Armco Superlite will examine a few of the benefits of steel sheathing and why it is a great choice for protecting your home. We will also advise you on how to choose the right one to meet your needs.
3 Benefits of Using Steel Sheathing for Outside Structures
There are many benefits to using steel sheathing for your home and other outside structures, but to condense them into just a few, these would include:
Durability:
Steel sheathing is a durable material that can withstand the harshest of environments. It is resistant to wind, rain, hail, and snow, and unlike other sheathing materials, it will not swell, crumble, rot, or warp over time. This means that panels will not have to be replaced seasonally or every year or two. Additionally, steel is a hard material by nature, so it is often advised in areas that experience harsh weather conditions or in wet, humid climates.
Longevity:
It is indisputable that the iron content in untreated metals will rust over time. However, modern technology has advanced to a point where rustproof paints and corrosion-prevention treatments will slow this process down considerably. These solutions are very effective and come in various forms, like spray-on or paint-on products, but can be messy and are very labour-intensive.
That said, steel structures that have been well-prepared and maintained or those that have been built from hot-dipped galvanized steel have been known to last a century or more.
Low-Maintenance:
Galvanized steel sheathing offers the most cost-effective solution for both sidings and roofing. Although it might be a greater initial investment, this cladding is low maintenance, it will not have to be treated again for decades, and you will not have to suffer the increases of labour and raw material costs for spray-on or paint-on alternatives.
Furthermore, it does not need to be painted, prepared, treated, or stained, and is resistant to rot and mould. It arrives galvanized and construction can begin immediately.
How to Choose the Correct Steel Sheathing
Consider these three factors when choosing steel sheathing:
Climate:
If you live in an area with harsh weather conditions, consider corrugated, galvanized steel sheathing. Untreated steel cladding can be utilised in more neutral climates.
Budget:
Galvanized steel cladding can be more expensive. However, in all climates, this option should be considered because of its many benefits.
Aesthetics:
Galvanized steel is an attractive option for your home. Moreover, it helps with energy efficiency and is eco-friendly.
When it comes to galvanized steel sheathing, at Armco Superlite, our BSI ISO management systems, numerous SANS-approved specifications, and extensive knowledge gained over decades have made us the leading galvanized steel sheathing provider in Southern Africa. If you are planning a construction project, consult with us for superior-quality products, expertise, and service. Contact us and arm yourself with Armco Superlite today.