What Metal is Colorbond?

Colorbond is actually steel. However, it is not just any steel. It has a base of galvanized steel and coatings that contain protective chemicals, as well as colorbond colours. It is an amazing, lightweight but durable, enriched steel that is used for colorbond fencing, roofing and many other purposes.

Colorbond fencing installation requires a professional colorbond fencing installer. This means that they should already have some experience with this excellent material and know all about its features. This is important if you want your colorbond fencing installed properly.

This doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need to shop around for the best colorbond fencing installation price. You do this by asking for a quote from several installers. Get your colorbond fence quote quickly and see who fits your budget the best.p

How Is Colorbond Made?

Colorbond fencing steel is made by creating a base which is then treated with several coatings and a layer of special paint that is weather-resistant.

The base of the colorbond fencing material is actually galvanised steel. Galvanising steel means submerging it into the water, which is a zinc substrate. By using electrodes and the current, the steel is coated with the zinc coating. This provides the steel with amazing anti-corroding properties for as long as the coating is not damaged. After this, additional coatings are added, including paint.

This is the general explanation of how most of the galvanised steel is made. Colorbond fencing material includes some patented processes developed in Australia in order to make this steel perfect for the Australian climate.

The base itself is made of hot rolled coil steel. The process starts with cold reduction. This means that the steel is cleaned with acid. It is then pressed and pushed through the rolls, which makes it less thick but also stronger.

The next step is coating. The colorbond fencing material is coated with the zinc alloy and then pretreatment, primer and top coat. The paint is not just applied to the colorbond metal. It is baked into it.

This means that there is a special treatment that makes the paint more durable and prevents chipping and peeling. Also, the paint is lead-free, which is very important due to lead toxicity. Paint is always compliant with Australian Standards AS/NZS 2728

How to Recognise Real Colorbond Fencing?

First of all, you need to check your invoice. The Colorbond fencing is a trademarked name. Your invoice will have to show it. If it doesn’t, make sure you check with your supplier whether they are using the real colorbond material or a look-alike.

The second thing you can do is to check the engraving. All colorbond fencing sheets have engraved the words “colorbond” at least three times within 2.4 m of colorbond fence panels. The engraving is subtle, and it is on both sides of panels. If it is missing, you are not dealing with real colorbond fencing material.

How to Maintain Colorbond Fencing?

Generally, your colorbond fencing doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. In terms of keeping it clean and nice looking, all you have to do is wash it with non-ionic detergents (dishwashing liquid, for example), although hosing it down with plain water will do the trick, as well. You can just hose it when you are washing your car.

Moreover, if you have heavy rain in your parts now and then, they will be enough to wash down all dirt and debris from your colorbond fencing. You just need to do some wiping underneath the top rail because the rain won’t reach that part.

As for the cobwebs, they will find their place on the colorbond fencing. They don’t damage it, and they don’t have to leave the dark trails. Use a soft broom and sweep the cobwebs. That will be enough to remove them completely.

Maintenance of the colorbond fencing also includes saving it from corroding. While colorbond fence is extremely durable and it won’t corrode under normal circumstances, there are situations that can cause this damage. Corrosion can happen if:

• Colorbond fence is covered with water constantly
• Certain chemicals are applied to its surface

The bottom rail of colorbond fencing should have holes so that the draining water can go away without getting retained by the fence itself. If the colorbond fencing is exposed to such water all the time, the water-resistant layers will begin to weaken and corrosion may occur.

For this same reason, you should not have flower beds, garden fills, and similar soil buildups against your colorbond fence panel.

Similarly, when people work in their gardens, they use different chemicals to spray their plants for protection. Unfortunately, if these and similar chemicals find their way on the colorbond fence panels, they can damage them and expose the inner layers to outside environmental factors. If they come in contact, hose them down.

How to Cover Up Scratches on Colorbond Fencing?

You don’t. You will do more damage than good if you try to cover up the scratch, especially if you use spray paints. They are different from the paint you already have on your colorbond fencing. This means it ages differently, and it resists the weather differently.

Such paint will blotch and fade and further damage the surface of the panel. Your best bet in such situations is to replace the colorbond fence panels that have the damage – if the damage is substantial. This is best done by installers who already do colorbond fencing installation.

Both colorbond fencing installation and panel replacement are tasks for expert installers. They don’t have to be expensive or break the bank. While they should be paid fairly, you should not be forced to overpay the work done for you. How to avoid that?

Ask for a colorbond fence quote from as many professional installers as possible. More quotes mean that you will have a good idea about how much your installation should cost, and that reduces the chances of you ever paying too much.

That is what Service Seeking is for – to get you in touch with as many professional and reliable local tradies all over Australia.