FAQs

The product will perform similarly to COLORBOND® steel in Surfmist® and can therefore be used in any application where that product has been considered suitable. Both COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel in Whitehaven™ and COLORBOND® steel in Surfmist® reduce the potential for glare compared to ZINCALUME® steel.

The Total Solar Reflectance (TSR) value for COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel in the colour Whitehaven® is 77%.

Yes. In the introductory offer there is an accessory feed size for flashings. Fasteners are available from our fastener suppliers.

There are generally two types of warranty available to consumers of BlueScope Steel products:

• A warranty against defects is known as a "Manufacturer’s Warranty", this covers the materials, such as COLORBOND® steel, that certain steel products are made from.
• A Performance Warranty, or "Express Warranty", assures consumers that the end product will perform as expected for a specified period.

For more details, such as whether a warranty is available for your desired application and product selection, the applicable terms and conditions or how to apply for the warranties, please talk to your supplier or go to our relevant product section of this website. In addition, consumers have rights under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 which cannot be excluded, modified or restricted.

All coloured materials will change colour when exposed to UV light - the paint finish on your car, the clothes on your line, and so on. When it comes to steel building materials, the extent of colour change is influenced by factors such as the colour itself, the aspect, the design of the structure and the environment. Dark colours are inherently prone to more noticeable colour change than lighter colours. Individual perceptions also come into play. How you see colour can differ greatly to someone else.

COLORBOND® steel is not available in a low gloss finish. When addressing this question, it's important to understand that all materials are reflective to some degree. Reflectivity limits tend to restrict the opportunity to use light colours - which is at odds with good thermal efficiency design principles. Building owners should therefore be encouraged, rather than discouraged, to use products made from lighter COLORBOND® steel colours. Notwithstanding, we recognise these choices can occasionally cause concern to neighbours. But if homes and buildings are designed appropriately and considered on a case-by-case basis, there is room to use materials that ensure the building is thermally efficient and, at the same time, nobody is inconvenienced.

Note that if you are required to use a darker colour, you can have confidence in specifying COLORBOND® steel knowing that the chosen colour has been thermally optimised by the inclusion of Thermatech®.

For more information Download Technical Bulletin TB 28 - Building Materials and Reflectivity.

The solar absorbtance of COLORBOND® steel colours have been rated for the BCA and Basix classifications, see Solar Absorptance of COLORBOND® steel colours for NCC and BASIX.

COLORBOND® steel does not have a Fire Rating.

Information about the Early Fire Hazard ratings for COLORBOND® steel can be found in our Product Datasheets.

• It is recommended that ZINCALUME® steel not be heated above 200°C.
• It is recommended that zinc coatings not be heated above 250°C
• COLORBOND® steel should not be heated continuously above 100°C and intermittently 200°C.

For more information Download Technical Bulletins TB 33 - ZINCALUME® steel and zinc-coated steel in high temperature and food contact applications

Using thermally efficient roofing materials like COLORBOND® steel can help reduce your cooling and heating costs. In summer, a lightweight insulated roof made from COLORBOND® steel can assist in minimising the amount of heat radiated into your home at night. That's because COLORBOND® steel has a low thermal mass, so it cools down fast once the sun is off it.

In winter the same steel roof, properly insulated, helps keep the heat inside. Building Regulations for your area will prescribe the level of insulation you will require.
The choice of colour can also influence thermal performance. Lighter colours, in particular, radiate less heat during summer. Building regulations may allow you to install less insulation if you use lighter colours in warm climates.

For more information see our page on Thermal Efficiency.

No. The coating on the underside of the sheet has a different film thickness and UV absorbance capabilities which are not designed for prolonged exposure to weather. At the same time, roofing profiles are designed to be used one side up and may leak if installed the wrong way. However, there are double-sided products available for applications where the reverse side of the sheet will be visible.