Galvanizing

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Galvanizing

ShelterKing uses only high quality galvanized structural steel tubing that is designed not to rust. Most other manufacturers powder coat their steel, which is basically a cheap way to cover black raw pipe and make it appear pretty.  Some manufacturers even powder coat gray or silver so the frames appear galvanized.

Why would a company want you to think your frame is galvanized?  Because powder coating, once chipped or scratched, may rust within 24 to 48 hours.  There are some technical details at the bottom of this page if you're interested.

Here's why we galvanize your steel frame

Less Maintenance/Lowest Long Term Cost - Even in cases where the initial cost of hot dip galvanizing is higher than alternative coatings, hot dip galvanizing is almost invariably more cost effective in the long term because it lasts longer and needs less maintenance.

Long Life - The life expectancy of hot dip galvanized coatings on typical structural members is far in excess of 50 years in most rural environments, and 20 to 25 years plus, even in severe urban and coastal exposure.

Toughest Coating - A hot dip galvanized coating has a unique metallurgical structure which gives outstanding resistance to mechanical damage in transport, erection, and service.

Automatic Protection For Damaged Areas - Hot Dip Galvanized coatings corrode preferentially to steel, providing cathodic or sacrificial protection to small areas of steel exposed through damage. Unlike organic coatings, small damaged areas need no touch up.

Complete Protection - Every part of a hot dip galvanized article is protected, even recesses, sharp corners and inaccessible areas. No coating applied to a structure or fabrication after completion can provide the same protection as hot dip galvanizing.

Faster Erection Time - As hot dip galvanized steel members are received they are ready for use. No time is lost on-site in surface preparation, painting and inspection. When assembly of the structure is complete, it is immediately ready for use, or for the next construction stage.

Technical Detail - Painting or powder coating simply provides a barrier between the raw steel and the corroding elements.  Once that barrier is breached, the steel reacts to the environmental elements and begins to rust. Powder coated frames will have to be scraped, and touched up in a relatively short period of time. 

	Galvanizing does more than cover the metal. Because zinc is more electronegative than iron or steel, the zinc gives cathodic or sacrificial protection.  That is, even if the surface becomes scratched and the base metal is exposed, the zinc is slowly consumed while the iron or steel remains protected from corrosion.
Source: http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Definitions/Galvanizing.htm

Life Span of Galvanized Steel

Source: http://www.metalplate.com/galvanizing/

Information Overload? Here's the nuts and bolts (ha!) of Galvanizing.  Galvanizing makes the steel not rust.  It costs more to produce than powder coat.  If you want to purchase a quality item that won't rust, then you want galvanized.  If you like scraping, sanding and painting, then maybe powder coat is for you.