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METALLIC FINISH
ZINCALUME® Steel
Unpainted metallic appearance
A durable metallic-coated steel with a distinctive silver finish—practical for roofing and walling where a natural metal appearance suits the project.
SWRF ADVICE & GUIDES
ZINCALUME® vs COLORBOND® Steel
Metallic silver or a finished colour? Both are proven BlueScope steel products. Compare appearance, applications and site considerations before choosing the right finish for your roof or walling project.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Same job. Two very different finishes.
ZINCALUME® gives you the familiar metallic steel look. COLORBOND® adds a factory-applied paint system and a wide choice of colours.
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PREPAINTED FINISH
COLORBOND® Steel
COLORBOND® Dune®
Prepainted steel designed for Australian conditions, combining corrosion protection with a finished colour that can coordinate with the rest of the building.
AT A GLANCE
The main difference is the finish you see.
CompareZINCALUME®COLORBOND®
FinishUnpainted metallic silver appearancePrepainted steel in a broad colour palette
Base protectionActivate® aluminium/zinc/magnesium alloy coatingPrepainted steel using BlueScope metallic-coated substrate technology
AppearanceBright, clean industrial or rural lookColour can match or contrast with gutters, walls, fencing and surroundings
MaintenanceRain-washed areas need little routine cleaning; sheltered areas need fresh-water washingSimilar care: keep sheltered, unwashed areas clean with fresh water
Typical usesRoofing and walling on sheds, garages, rural and commercial buildingsRoofing, walling, sheds, homes, patios, gutters and other exterior building products
Coastal projectsLocation-specific product selection is essentialStandard, Ultra and specialised options suit different marine exposure zones
Product suitability, warranty eligibility and maintenance requirements depend on the application and environment. Always check the current BlueScope guidance for the job.
ZINCALUME® STEEL
Clean metallic character
- Distinctive unpainted silver-grey appearance
- Uses BlueScope Activate® coating technology for corrosion protection
- Suited to a wide range of roofing and walling applications
- A natural fit for sheds, rural buildings and contemporary metal finishes
Consider: if colour coordination is important, the metallic finish gives you less design choice than prepainted COLORBOND® steel.
COLORBOND® STEEL
Colour & coordination
- Factory-prepainted finish in a broad Australian colour palette
- Designed to coordinate roofing, walling, gutters and other exterior elements
- Strong, durable and tested for Australian conditions
- Specialised COLORBOND® products are available for more demanding environments
Consider: lighter and darker colours behave differently in sunlight, so colour is both an appearance and thermal-design decision.
COASTAL TASMANIA
Near the sea? Location matters.
Salt exposure changes which steel finish is appropriate. BlueScope publishes specific guidance based on distance from breaking surf and calm marine water, and recommends enhanced products such as COLORBOND® Ultra steel for severe marine areas.
Before ordering: tell SWRF how close the project is to the coast and whether it faces breaking surf. We can help you identify the product range to check.
QUICK SELECTION GUIDE
Start with the look, then check the location.
Choose ZINCALUME®when you like the clean metallic finish and it suits the environment and application.
Choose COLORBOND®when colour, coordination and a finished architectural look are priorities.
Near the coast?Check the exact marine exposure before selecting either product; standard products are not suitable for every coastal location.
Not sure?Bring your measurements, plans and site location to SWRF and we can help work through the options.
PLAN YOUR PROJECT
Tell us what you are building.
Send us the dimensions, profile, site location and preferred finish, and the SWRF team can help prepare a practical materials quote.