Why Paint When You Can Powder: The Advantages Of Having Your Steel Wall Cladding Powder Coated
Metal wall cladding can be both a practical and attractive addition to your home, protecting your brick and mortar from the damage caused by Australia's typically brutal weather. However, while metal wall cladding offers far more durability and longevity than other materials used for wall cladding, it is not invulnerable to damage, and having your wall cladding treated with a protective powder coating will keep your new cladding looking new for years to come.
Paints and galvanised coatings can offer adequate protection for your metal cladding, but to really ensure your cladding can weather the worst of what Mother Nature can throw at it, it's hard to beat a well-applied powder coating. Powder coatings offer a number of advantages over less sophisticated protective coatings:
Rustproofing
The chief advantage of powder coatings is how effectively they protect your steel cladding from rust and corrosion, and powder coated cladding can be expected to remain entirely free of moisture-caused rust for many years. This is down to the thickness of the coating (many times thicker than several coats of rustproof paint), which prevents the coating from cracking and/or flaking and allowing moisture to reach the vulnerable metal.
Durability
This thickness also contributes to the incredible durability of powder coatings, which are 'baked' to the surface of your metal cladding inside special kilns. This 'baking' creates an immensely strong bond between the coating and the surface of the metal, which prevents the coating chipping off even if impacted by falling tree branches, errant vehicles and other heavy objects. Powder coatings are also highly resistant to perishing caused by intense sunlight (a particular concern for inland residences which see extensive summers) and is not degraded by corrosive or abrasive chemicals such as airborne salt (making them especially useful for protecting the cladding of coastal properties).
Choice of finishes
Although powder coatings are more limited in shade and hue than cladding paints, they are still available in a wide variety of colours. This makes it easy to coordinate your cladding with the overall design scheme of your home, and avoids the spartan appearance offered by galvanised steel cladding. The sheer durability and resistance to UV degradation ensure that the colour will not fade significantly over time.
Environmentally friendly
Powder coating takes its name from its solid, powdery makeup, which is applied sparingly and only briefly turns to liquid during the kiln firing process. This prevents spillages and overuse of powder coating chemicals during the coating process, minimising the amount of pollution that is created. The solid powder also does not contain any harmful solvents or organic compounds (often found in rustproof paints to increase durability and decrease drying and curing times).
