In the building industry, one of the most commonly used materials is corrugated galvanized metal. This type of metal is coated with a protective layer of zinc that protects it from rust and corrosion due to exposure to the elements, which means corrugated galvanized metal is ideal for outdoor applications. Perhaps the most common application for this type of metal is roofing, as galvanized steel panels can be installed quickly and easily over larger roof areas, and the steel will be rugged enough for years and years of use.
The roofing panels made from corrugated galvanized metal are usually much larger than other types of roofing materials, which means larger spaces can be covered more quickly with just as much efficiency. Factories and warehouses often feature this type of roofing not only for durability and ease of installation, but also for cost savings, as corrugated galvanized metal sheets are often less expensive than other types of roofing materials. The corrugations, which are essentially ridges or waves in the metal sheets, will facilitate easy runoff of rainwater or snow melt. The corrugation can also allow for some flex in the panels, thereby helping reduce the likelihood of breakage from impacts or bending stresses.
Sometimes the corrugated galvanized metal is used for siding as well. Inexpensive garage structures, for example, will often feature this type of metal for several reasons: first, it is inexpensive and relatively lightweight; second, it is generally easy to install; and third, it is fire resistant, so if the garage or structure is used for work purposes, such as welding or other activities that can produce sparks, the building itself will be less susceptible to fires. The downside to using corrugated galvanized metal for siding is the lack of insulation properties as well as the noise created from rain or other debris.
In construction settings that involve pouring concrete, corrugated galvanized metal is sometimes used as formwork. Formwork is essentially a series of panels that form a structure into which the concrete can be poured for setting. The forms may be removed after the concrete has set, but in some cases, the corrugated galvanized metal is left in place to add more structural rigidity to the concrete structure. Concrete tends to have a fairly low tensile strength, so the galvanized metal panels can increase the tensile strength of the concrete structure if they are left in place.
