What is Colorbond made of?

Colorbond fence material is lightweight and sturdy steel coated with high-quality paint that is extremely durable and tightly blended into the steel base. This is achieved with several special coatings between the steel base and the paint that make them fit together better.

The steel base is actually made out of galvanised steel. This means that it is treated with the zinc substrate that is attached to the steel by the use of electrodes and current. That is how all steel is galvanised. The steel base is then treated with anti-corrosion and weather-resistant paint, which makes colorbond fence material just the perfect fit for outdoor use under Australian conditions.

This is not all there is when it comes to making colorbond fencing steel. There are also some patented processes involved. These processes have been developed in Australia, so it means that this type of colorbond fence is a good match for the Australian climate.

Colorbond fence material is created by the process of cold reduction. This means that the hot rolled coil steel is cleaned by the use of acid and then pressed with rolls. The result is stronger and thinner steel.

Coating of the colorbond fencing material is done with zinc alloy. That is the process that resembles galvanisation. After that, there are several more coats to this steel base.

The pretreatment is the first one. It enables the base to be susceptible to the later coatings. Primer is what comes next since there has to be a layer that will bond the already prepared base and the top coat of paint. Paint is the last, and it is baked into the steel.

All these characteristics of the colorbond fencing material make it a superb solution when compared to other fencing materials. The question of price is always present, but if you ask for quotes from different professionals for your colorbond fence installation, it won’t be overpriced.

Is Colorbond Zincalume?

The most precise answer is yes and no. In other words, colorbond fencing has a core that is made in the same way as Zincalume. However, that is not where it all stops. This Zincalume core is pre-painted and painted to create colorbond steel.

In that way, colorbond fencing is as strong and durable as Zincalume, but colouring it doesn’t cost more money, and it isn’t difficult – because the lead-free paint is already applied in such a way that makes the paint an integral part of the colorbond fence panels and it comes in amazing colorbond colours.

The colorbond colours have their special names and they range from white, over sandy hues, earthy tones, dark greens, browns and greys. Colorbond colours also have different finishes, and your colorbond fence panels can be in one of the colorbond colours on one side and a different one on the other. These sheets are also weather-resistant, and they don’t have a shiny look to them like similar fencing materials.

What Is Zincalume Made Of?

Basically, Zincalume is steel. If you break it down into its chemical composition, you will see that, for the most part, it is aluminium and zinc. Those two elements combined make up around 98% of the Zincalume. A little bit of silicon is added to the mixture, as well.

The upside of Zincalume is that it does not corrode easily. Moreover, it is four times less likely to corrode than ordinary galvanised steel. While being so resistant to corrosion, at the same time, Zincalume is also easy to bend, roll or draw. It is flexible and durable, so it has many different applications.

Can You Paint Over Zincalume?

You can already see that Zincalume is the basis of colorbond fence panels with the exception that the colorbond fencing is coated with paint. So, could you paint over your Zincalume material instead of purchasing colorbond fence? Yes. It is possible to paint over Zincalume.

You need to wash it down thoroughly so that you are certain there are no residues of oil, grease and other materials on it. Then you have to dry it completely. In that way prepared Zincalume fencing can be painted over in two coats of paint. You should use acrylic paints.

In that way, you may save some money by purchasing somewhat cheaper fencing material. However, the paint that you use on Zincalume can never be as persistent and as durable as the colorbond colours. The colorbond fencing paint is baked into the fencing panels.

This means that it is basically a part of the metal to some extent. It rarely if ever chips and peels off. The same thing cannot be said for the paint applied by ordinary painting over the Zincalume steel.

Is Colorbond Steel or Aluminium?

Colorbond fencing material is steel. In its base, it has a steel core that resembles Zincalume and a top coat that is lead-free paint. While Zincalume is for the most part aluminium and zinc, this is not enough to say that colorbond is aluminium. By the way it is created, it is steel.

Colorbond fencing material has its advantages and its disadvantages in comparison with aluminium. Aluminium is light, cheap and doesn’t corrode. Those are the advantages that are usually listed by the aluminium manufacturers.

However, colorbond fence is sturdier and stronger. It is more durable and it has large palette of colorbond colours that don’t chip or peel off. Its price is not that higher than the price of aluminium, but it makes a better and stronger fencing material.

If you are not certain whether you want to invest in colorbond fencing or aluminium fencing, you should list down the characteristics of your fencing. This means that you should measure how much fencing you need and whether there are slopes on your terrain.

This will give you a good idea about the prices you can expect. However, you can always work out better prices if you just ask for them. How? It’s simple, really.

Ask for colorbond fence quote from proven professionals. Compare the prices you get and pick the best man for the job.