Suitability and Compatibility
Can I use COLORBOND® steel fencing around my pool?
You should check with your local council for regulations on fences around pool areas. Particular care needs to be taken if COLORBOND® steel is to be installed within the 'splash zone'. Both salt and chlorine may have a corrosive effect on the COLORBOND® steel finish and as such, may negate a warranty claim.
For more information Download Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB 21 - Special Service Environments: Enclosed Swimming Pool Buildings (230 KB)
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Can I use COLORBOND® steel as a retaining wall, or garden bed?
In Concrete
ZINCALUME® steel (and COLORBOND® steel manufactured with a ZINCALUME® steel substrate), are NOT recommended for immersion in wet cement as rapid corrosion and degradation of the coating alloy will occur. The recommended product for use with uncured concrete and highly alkaline bonding materials is galvanised steel. COLORBOND® steel is available with a galvanised substrate - one common use being posts for fencing.
In Soil
The construction of gardens adjacent to buildings or fencing by placing soil directly against ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel sheeting is strongly discouraged as corrosion of the sheeting will rapidly occur about the area covered with soil.
Moisture or moisture retaining materials should not be permitted to remain in intimate contact with ZINCALUME® steel, COLORBOND® steel or galvanized steel. Such contact will ultimately result in corrosion of the material.
The major factors influencing corrosion are the continual retention of moisture and the differential concentration of oxygen at the material surface. Gutters are frequent victims, with insufficient fall leading to ponding of water.
The accumulation of debris (leaf matter, dirt etc) which results in continual immersion, is the most common reason for unsatisfactory performance of guttering.
In typical garden applications such as fence panels, garden sheds and walling the build up of grass cuttings, leaves, soil from gardens, mulch, compost, sand and ashes must be avoided.
For more information, please Download Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB 16 - Immersion.
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Can I use COLORBOND® steel as formwork, or cover it with concrete?
Please view our page: Avoid corrosion from contact with concrete or soil.
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Can I use fencing made from COLORBOND® steel close to the ocean?
Fencing made from COLORBOND® steel is not warranted when installed within one kilometre of marine influences.
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I've heard that COLORBOND® steel should not be immersed in concrete. How will this affect my fence posts?
Most fences feature galvanised steel posts and COLORBOND® steel infill sheets. Immersing the galvanised steel posts in concrete does not cause any corrosion problems but you should not allow the concrete to contact the rails or infill sheets of the fence. Check with your fencing supplier.
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My fence, wall or shed sides are buried in dirt and soil. Will this affect the sheeting?
In Concrete
ZINCALUME® steel (and COLORBOND® steel manufactured with a ZINCALUME® steel substrate), are NOT recommended for immersion in wet cement as rapid corrosion and degradation of the coating alloy will occur. The recommended product for use with uncured concrete and highly alkaline bonding materials is galvanised steel. COLORBOND® steel is available with a galvanised substrate - one common use being posts for fencing.
In Soil
The construction of gardens adjacent to buildings or fencing by placing soil directly against ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel sheeting is strongly discouraged as corrosion of the sheeting will rapidly occur about the area covered with soil.
Moisture or moisture retaining materials should not be permitted to remain in intimate contact with ZINCALUME® steel, COLORBOND® steel or galvanized steel. Such contact will ultimately result in corrosion of the material.
The major factors influencing corrosion are the continual retention of moisture and the differential concentration of oxygen at the material surface. Gutters are frequent victims, with insufficient fall leading to ponding of water.
The accumulation of debris (leaf matter, dirt etc) which results in continual immersion, is the most common reason for unsatisfactory performance of guttering.
In typical garden applications such as fence panels, garden sheds and walling the build up of grass cuttings, leaves, soil from gardens, mulch, compost, sand and ashes must be avoided.
For more information, please Download Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB 16 - Immersion.
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What difference does the thickness of the COLORBOND® steel make?
The thickness of sheeting is normally measured as its BMT (base metal thickness). For steel of the same grade and profile, a higher BMT generally means the sheet can span further between supports.
Care should be taken when referencing thickness because some manufacturers will quote Total Coated Thickness (TCT). This is the thickness of the total sheet and will be higher than its BMT (which measures only the thickness of the steel beneath any coatings). eg. 0.42mm BMT is the same as 0.47mm TCT.
Increased thickness will not increase the life of a product, and direct comparisons of BMT between profiles or steel grades cannot be made. The profile manufacturer should be able to provide you with spanning information for the profile and BMT you are using.
Soft (or lower strength) steels will generally be thicker than hard, high strength (or hi-tensile) steels, and are commonly used in applications where tight curving is required.
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What other building materials can I use alongside COLORBOND® steel? What metals are OK to use in contact with COLORBOND® steel and what should I avoid?
Do not allow any metals other than aluminium, galvanised steel, ZINCALUME® steel or zinc to come into direct contact with COLORBOND® steel. Any direct contact between any other metals (eg. copper and lead) and COLORBOND® steel can result in corrosion. Especially take note of the following:
- Copper pipes and lead flashing should not come in direct contact with either ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel. If the building design is such that water will flow from lead flashing onto ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel, then the flashing should be painted.
- Water from copper pipes should not be directed onto COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel.
- Stainless steel fixings and fixings containing copper should also not be used with ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel.
- Fasteners conforming to AS3566 Class 3 or 4 are acceptable depending on the location of the product. If you have any questions, ask your supplier or contact us.
- This information is intended as a guide only. For more information, on our Corrosion Technical Bulletins, Download Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB 12 - Dissimilar Metals (283 KB).
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What sealants (silicone) can I use with COLORBOND® steel?
Neutral Cure silicone rubber sealants are the only sealants recommended for use with COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel. Look for the words "Neutral Cure" on the sealant cartridge to make sure. View our page: Select a sealant for the job.
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Will contact with timber, including treated pine, affect COLORBOND® steel?
Green timber or timber treated with copper chromium arsenic (CCA) should not come into direct contact with galvanized steel, ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel because acidic substances from these timbers have a corrosive effect on the metallic coating. The time of wetness of the metal surface is a factor in the overall corrosion mechanism (the longer the product is wet, the greater the corrosion).
Even run off from CCA treated timber can contain corrosive leachate which will cause corrosion if it contacts galvanized steel, ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® steel.
BlueScope Steel recommend against the use of CCA treated timbers for high moisture situations such as roof and ceiling batons, composite fence constructions and built up flooring or external decking which may utilise a metallic coated steel structural support system.
If CCA treated timbers must be used, the timber and/or steelwork must be sealed by fully painting the material prior to installation.
The use of kiln dried or appropriate dried timber species is recommended for any situation where intimate contact between the metallic coated steel and timber is considered.
For more information, please Download Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB 13 - Contact With Timber
