A Guide to Using Steel as Wall Cladding
Using corrugated steel is a great way to clad any type of home. Here's what to consider before you get started
Andrew Boyne
13 February 2019
Houzz Contributor.
I run a small architectural practice that specialises in custom homes and holiday homes throughout the South-West of Western Australia. I love sailing, surfing and hiking in the outdoors, all of which influence my approach to design. I am a proud Western Australian and am passionate about architecture that reflects the landscape and the people of this special part of the world.
Houzz Contributor.
I run a small architectural practice that specialises in custom... More
Steel cladding can be amongst the lowest maintenance and most affordable ways to finish a building. Steel comes in a wide variety of finishes, shapes and sizes to suit any project. The material is easy to install and will present a clean and crisp appearance for many years into the future.
The fabrication of metal cladding and roof sheet is a two-step process. The first step is the manufacture of thin steel sheets that are rolled up into coils. The coils are then shipped to many manufacturers who roll the coils through forming machines to create their own sheet profiles.
Because the sheets are formed from a roll, there is little limitation to the length of each sheet from a manufacturing perspective. Usually the length of sheets should be limited to what can be fitted onto the back of a truck, or a length that can be sensibly handled on site without being bent or damaged. Local manufacturers seldom have any steel sheet in stock and will roll sheets to suit your particular order.
Some manufacturers will also be able to form sheet metal into special cassettes or unique cladding components that differ from the common rolled profiles.
See how glass, concrete and steel is used to build this home
Some manufacturers will also be able to form sheet metal into special cassettes or unique cladding components that differ from the common rolled profiles.
See how glass, concrete and steel is used to build this home
Consider the conditions
Even though products have protective coatings and are generally very durable, they are vulnerable to rust. The paint coating protects the vast majority of the steel, but where the sheet is cut or drilled the edges become exposed to the environment.
The speed at which steel rusts depends on its environment. In coastal environments where salt is carried in the air, the exposed edges of the steel sheet are more vulnerable. These environments require higher grade steel which have a better resistance to corrosion. The higher grades of steel are more expensive and have a limited colour range.
When reviewing the appropriateness of each grade of steel for your project it is worth noting that in a marine environment walls are not washed down by rain with the same intensity as roofs. This means that more salt build-up is likely to occur on walls, which will then require a higher grade of steel.
Aluminium sheet can be used in very harsh environments. Aluminium is very resistant to corrosion, can be rolled into the same profiles as steel and can be finished in similar colours.
Even though products have protective coatings and are generally very durable, they are vulnerable to rust. The paint coating protects the vast majority of the steel, but where the sheet is cut or drilled the edges become exposed to the environment.
The speed at which steel rusts depends on its environment. In coastal environments where salt is carried in the air, the exposed edges of the steel sheet are more vulnerable. These environments require higher grade steel which have a better resistance to corrosion. The higher grades of steel are more expensive and have a limited colour range.
When reviewing the appropriateness of each grade of steel for your project it is worth noting that in a marine environment walls are not washed down by rain with the same intensity as roofs. This means that more salt build-up is likely to occur on walls, which will then require a higher grade of steel.
Aluminium sheet can be used in very harsh environments. Aluminium is very resistant to corrosion, can be rolled into the same profiles as steel and can be finished in similar colours.
Pick a colour
Picking an appropriate cladding colour is often a balancing act between aesthetics, solar absorbance and glare. Metal cladding gets hot and the darker the colour, the hotter the cladding will be. It also is very smooth and quite reflective which means that lighter colours can become glary. Solar Absorbance levels for heat, and Solar Reflectance levels for glare are published by the manufacturer for each colour.
Take a look at these cladding ideas for facades
Picking an appropriate cladding colour is often a balancing act between aesthetics, solar absorbance and glare. Metal cladding gets hot and the darker the colour, the hotter the cladding will be. It also is very smooth and quite reflective which means that lighter colours can become glary. Solar Absorbance levels for heat, and Solar Reflectance levels for glare are published by the manufacturer for each colour.
Take a look at these cladding ideas for facades
Choose a profile
Because each manufacturer can roll the metal in any way they see fit, there are a myriad different profiles that can be found for wall cladding. These range from the traditional corrugated profile, through to very lightly ribbed cladding sheets, and deeply formed industrial profiles.
Many manufacturers produce products specifically advertised as cladding which have very thin ribs. These may take advantage of the closer support structure that exists in wall framing, but are usually too thin to make the most of the play of light and shadow that can be achieved with deeper profiles. Lightly ribbed cladding profiles are often used in garden sheds or for cladding low-cost transportable buildings.
In almost all cases, there is little stopping you from using profiles advertised as roof sheeting for external wall cladding. By exploring all possible profiles available from each manufacturer, you should be able to find one that suits your desired aesthetic.
Some manufacturers are capable of rolling steel into shapes that resemble traditional weatherboards, which give a good play of light and shadow. These profiles usually allow for concealed fixings which gives the wall cladding a smooth and clean finish. This sort of profile can be used in traditional buildings while still being appropriate for contemporary design.
Because each manufacturer can roll the metal in any way they see fit, there are a myriad different profiles that can be found for wall cladding. These range from the traditional corrugated profile, through to very lightly ribbed cladding sheets, and deeply formed industrial profiles.
Many manufacturers produce products specifically advertised as cladding which have very thin ribs. These may take advantage of the closer support structure that exists in wall framing, but are usually too thin to make the most of the play of light and shadow that can be achieved with deeper profiles. Lightly ribbed cladding profiles are often used in garden sheds or for cladding low-cost transportable buildings.
In almost all cases, there is little stopping you from using profiles advertised as roof sheeting for external wall cladding. By exploring all possible profiles available from each manufacturer, you should be able to find one that suits your desired aesthetic.
Some manufacturers are capable of rolling steel into shapes that resemble traditional weatherboards, which give a good play of light and shadow. These profiles usually allow for concealed fixings which gives the wall cladding a smooth and clean finish. This sort of profile can be used in traditional buildings while still being appropriate for contemporary design.
Find the right orientation
Steel cladding sheets are rolled into profiles – ribs that run the length of the sheet. These ribs strengthen the sheet, with deep ribs providing improved durability. Because the ribs are such a prominent part of the cladding system thought must go into their orientation.
Installation of cladding with the ribs running horizontally creates a nicely grounded appearance. When viewing the structure the eye tends to runs along the ribs, accentuating the length of the building. Running the ribs horizontally also helps to visually tie the building in with the horizontal lie of the land.
Horizontal ribs also create little shelves for dust to collect on. This dust looks untidy, and blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the cladding. The paint finish will eventually fade at a different rate to the rest of the panel, leaving undesirable banding in the gloss level of the paint. If installing cladding horizontally for a preferred aesthetic outcome, you should be prepared to periodically hose it down to get rid of dust build up.
Vertical installation will prevent dust build up, but it usually has the effect of accentuating the height of the building and disassociating the building with the horizontal ground plane.
When considering orientation, some consideration should be given to the openings in the wall. As sheets are rolled to order, and are almost unlimited in their length, having to stop and start the sheet due to openings can eliminate one of the major advantages of steel cladding. An orientation that lends itself to more unbroken lengths of cladding may be desirable.
In the end there is no set orientation to install steel cladding by. There is nothing stopping you from installing it in a diagonal orientation, but beware of the complexity of cutting around openings.
Steel cladding sheets are rolled into profiles – ribs that run the length of the sheet. These ribs strengthen the sheet, with deep ribs providing improved durability. Because the ribs are such a prominent part of the cladding system thought must go into their orientation.
Installation of cladding with the ribs running horizontally creates a nicely grounded appearance. When viewing the structure the eye tends to runs along the ribs, accentuating the length of the building. Running the ribs horizontally also helps to visually tie the building in with the horizontal lie of the land.
Horizontal ribs also create little shelves for dust to collect on. This dust looks untidy, and blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the cladding. The paint finish will eventually fade at a different rate to the rest of the panel, leaving undesirable banding in the gloss level of the paint. If installing cladding horizontally for a preferred aesthetic outcome, you should be prepared to periodically hose it down to get rid of dust build up.
Vertical installation will prevent dust build up, but it usually has the effect of accentuating the height of the building and disassociating the building with the horizontal ground plane.
When considering orientation, some consideration should be given to the openings in the wall. As sheets are rolled to order, and are almost unlimited in their length, having to stop and start the sheet due to openings can eliminate one of the major advantages of steel cladding. An orientation that lends itself to more unbroken lengths of cladding may be desirable.
In the end there is no set orientation to install steel cladding by. There is nothing stopping you from installing it in a diagonal orientation, but beware of the complexity of cutting around openings.
Install and finish
Steel cladding is easy to install and difficult to finish. It is usually installed by screwing full-length sheets directly into wall studs.
Although whole sheets can be installed at once with a couple of screws, the edges are unfortunately sharp and difficult to deal with.
Manufacturers of steel profiles will usually have a whole range of pre-designed flashing and finishing profiles available to help protect the edges from damage and you from injury.
Because steel is a reactive metal some care should be taken to avoid contact between dissimilar metals. Steel sheet should not come into contact with other metals such as lead, copper or stainless steel, or even green treated timber. Contact the supplier of the cladding to clarify how and what to avoid.
See how shipping container steel sheets are used in this Delhi barsati
Steel cladding is easy to install and difficult to finish. It is usually installed by screwing full-length sheets directly into wall studs.
Although whole sheets can be installed at once with a couple of screws, the edges are unfortunately sharp and difficult to deal with.
Manufacturers of steel profiles will usually have a whole range of pre-designed flashing and finishing profiles available to help protect the edges from damage and you from injury.
Because steel is a reactive metal some care should be taken to avoid contact between dissimilar metals. Steel sheet should not come into contact with other metals such as lead, copper or stainless steel, or even green treated timber. Contact the supplier of the cladding to clarify how and what to avoid.
See how shipping container steel sheets are used in this Delhi barsati
The selection of the right steel cladding can be a great asset to your home. It can provide a very pleasant finish that is highly durable and requires little maintenance.
Read more:
Gorgeous Steel-Framed Windows For Contemporary homes
Tell us:
What do you love about this choice of building material? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Read more:
Gorgeous Steel-Framed Windows For Contemporary homes
Tell us:
What do you love about this choice of building material? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Hello,
thankyou fro the article. We have a 30 year old Cedar clad lofted Australian miners house, the cedar on the two exposed ends of the house (one which faces due west) are in very bad condtion and need to be replaced. I like the look of corraguted steel/colourbond, we live in central Victoria and expirence very hot summers, I am interested in what you think about the noise level from the rain, does it increase, and which direction is best to lay the wall sheets, I have been told horizontally is not recommend as it collects dust and does not allow water to drain correctly. If we apply the wall sheets vertically, I think this will make the house look too tall.
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Just one question: What about security?
I am worried that a burglar with a screwdriver can unscrew 1 or 2 steel cladding sheets & enter when we are not at home?
Is there a way of preventing this from happening?
Thank you
Hi we have a very old home in Western Australia in one of the Country Towns. It gets hot here too and we would like to know how this will last or be in these conditions. We are looking at laying insulation which we currently do not have...
Thank you.