People who are considering installing steel roofing are often concerned that their roofs will start to rust and look unsightly due to constant exposure to the elements. While it is a no-brainer that rust is the number-one threat to the longevity of steel roofs, manufacturers of these metal roofs usually do all they can to ensure that their products can provide maximum rust protection.

One of the things done to ensure steel roofs resist rust attacks for longer is application of a protective coating onto the surface of the substrate steel. Here is a look at two types of surface coatings that can be used to protect steel roofs from rusting.

Paint Coatings

Many people usually think that the paint that they see on steel roofs is applied purely for aesthetic purposes. While there's no denying that metal roof paints impact the exterior look of a building, it is also imperative to point out that they serve as a layer of protection against rust attacks. Steel roof paints are available as both water-based and oil-based paints.

The choice of the right paint product and painting technique is primarily based upon the climate of the area where the roof will be installed. Exposure to harsh climatic conditions like extreme heat and heavy snowfall will call for a paint protection system that is extremely hard-wearing. Regardless of that, virtually every painted steel roof will need to be repainted at some point to restore the rustproofing layer of paint.

Metallic Coatings

This is a metal protection system that involves coating the substrate metal with another metal, which reacts more readily with the elements (water and oxygen) that trigger rusting. Zinc and aluminium are a popular choice of metal coatings for protecting steel roofs from rust attacks. There are a number of techniques that can be used to apply metal finishes onto metal roofs. These include hot-dip galvanising, electroplating, and thermal spraying.

Compared to metal paints, metallic coatings are generally more hard-wearing and they last longer. This makes them particularly ideal for climates such as coastal areas, which are highly corrosive in nature.

When selecting a protective coating system for your steel roof, it is important that you consider the thickness of the coating. The thicker the coating, the greater the level of rust protection it will offer and vice versa. If you need help to choose the best rust-proofing coating for your steel roof, consult a metal roofing contractor.