Galvanized Steel: Supplying Long Lasting Protection

Galvanizing is more than just a fancy finish for steel. This protective coating ensures that the iron or steel used in a given construction project can withstand the corrosive effect of nature’s elements. As a galvanized steel supplier, we at Peterson Company work with the best galvanizers in the industry to protect the steel materials for our metal roofing, flooring, and plank grating products to ensure they can withstand all elements. This allows us to provide you beautiful, top-quality steel products with sufficient strength and durability to ensure your project lasts a lifetime.

Galvanization: A Hot Dip Coating

Galvanizing is the process of coating iron or steel with a layer of molten zinc. When cooled, this coated metal is more resistant to corrosion and rust, giving the metal a longer lifespan. Some galvanized steel fabricators call this process “hot dip galvanizing” due to the extreme temperatures needed to heat the zinc to ensure it bonds to the steel or iron properly.

The Element Basics of Zinc

Zinc is a metallic element naturally found in Earth’s crust. It is the 24th most abundant element on Earth and exists within bodies of water, soil, air, and even living organisms such as plants, animals, and humans. This protective bluish-white metal is classified as an essential micronutrient and has been used in everything from everyday items such as sunblock and cosmetics to industrial-grade steel.

Benefits of Galvanized Steel

Compared to other coating methods and metal finishes, galvanized steel may seem costly in both time and money, especially because each piece being galvanized must be sent to a galvanizer, who will typically take up to a week to clean the metal, apply the coating, and perform any additional post treatment. However, while opting for a paint coating may save initial costs, in terms of long-term maintenance needs, galvanized steel has proven to be more cost-effective, as paint coatings will need to be reapplied to maintain efficiency. 

Similarly, galvanized steel has the added benefit of bonding to the steel. This means that as long as the metal is cleaned and the coating is applied properly, the zinc coating will not flake or fail to protect the metal it is bonded with, ensuring long-lasting protection from day one.

Conclusion

Whether you are building an interior or exterior where the metal may be exposed to the surrounding environment, using galvanized steel will ensure structural integrity against rust and corrosion. At Peterson Company, we collaborate with trusted galvanizers to supply high-quality products that will withstand the test of time. When you trust us as your galvanized steel supplier, you get steel products for your roofing, flooring, and grating projects that will provide the necessary strength and resilience to ensure your builds last for future generations.