About the knowledge of the color-coated board, one article will make you an expert!

Many people do not know the specific difference between a really good color-coated panel and a poor color-coated panel when they buy color-coated panels,

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because the surfaces are the same, and there will be no problems if they are not used for a period of time.

There are many factors to consider for the choice of coating, which mainly include the type of coating, the thickness of the coating, the color of the coating, and the gloss of the coating.

In addition, sometimes the requirements of primer and backside coating of the coating are also considered.

The types of coatings currently used for color coated steel plates include a polyester coating (PE), fluorocarbon coating (PVDF), silicon modified coating (SMP),

high weather resistance coating (HDP), acrylic coating, Polyurethane coating (PU), plastisol coating (PVC), etc.

Common coating types

Coating–Polyester (PE, Polyester)

PE coating has good adhesion to the material, the color-coated steel plate is easy to process and shape, the price is low, the product is many, and the color and gloss are large.

Polyester coatings are not ideal for UV resistance and chalking resistance of the coating film.

Therefore, the use of PE coatings still needs to be restricted. It generally uses in areas with less air pollution or products that require multiple molding processes.

Applicable industry

Ordinary industrial plants and warehouses do not corrode the color panels themselves and do not have high requirements for the corrosion resistance and aging resistance of the color panels.

More consideration is given to the practicality and cost-effectiveness of plant construction.

Coating–Silicone Modified Polyester (SMP, Silicone Modified Polyester)

Since polyester contains active groups -OH/-COOH, it is easy to react with other polymer compounds.

In order to improve the sunlight resistance and chalking properties of PE, the color retention and heat resistance of Silicone resin are used as a denaturation reaction.

And the denaturation ratio of PE can be between 5%-50%. SMP provides better durability of steel plate, and its anti-corrosion period can be as long as 10-12 years.

Of course, its price is higher than that of PE.

However, because Silicone resin has unsatisfactory adhesion to materials and processing and formability,

SMP color-coated steel sheets are not suitable for occasions that require multiple forming and processing.

Most of them are used for building roofs and exterior walls.

Coating–High weather-resistant polyester (HDP, High durable Polyester)

Regarding the shortcomings of PE and SMP, British HYDRO company (now acquired by BASF),

Sweden’s BECKER, etc. in early developed HDP polyester coatings that can achieve 60-80% weather resistance of PVDF coatings,

which are better than ordinary silicon modified Polyester paint, its outdoor weather resistance reaches 15 years.

The high weather resistance polyester resin uses monomers containing cyclohexane structure during synthesis to achieve the balance of flexibility,

weather resistance, and the cost of the resin, and uses non-aromatic polyols and polyacids to reduce the resin’s absorption of UV light.

To achieve high weather resistance of the coating.

UV absorbers and hindered amines (HALS) add to the coating formulation to improve the weather resistance of the paint film.

High weather-resistant polyester coil coatings have been recognized by the market abroad, and the coatings are very cost-effective.

Applicable industry

Non-ferrous metal smelters (copper, zinc, aluminum, lead, etc.) in the metallurgy and power industries are the most challenging color plates for their service life.

Steel plants, power plants, etc. will also produce corrosive media, which require high corrosion resistance for color plates.

Coating–PVC Plastisol (PVC Plastisol)

PVC resin has good water resistance and chemical resistance.

It generally coats with high solid content, and its coating thickness is between 100-300μm. It can provide a smooth PVC coating or light embossing treatment as embossing coating.

Since the PVC coating film is a thermoplastic resin with high film thickness, it can provide good protection for the steel plate.

But PVC is weak in heat resistance.

In the early days, it uses more in Europe.

Due to its relatively poor environmental protection properties, it currently uses less and less.

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Coating–Fluorocarbon PVDF

Due to the strong bond energy between the chemical bond and the chemical bond of PVDF, the coating has very good corrosion resistance and color retention.

It the most advanced product among the color coated steel plate coatings for the construction industry.

It has a large molecular weight and a direct bond structure, so in addition to chemical resistance, mechanical properties, UV resistance, and heat resistance are also outstanding.

Under the general environment, its anti-corrosion period can reach 20-25 years.

In recent years, fluorine-containing resins copolymerized with chlorotrifluoroethylene and vinyl ester monomers have become popular in China,

and they have widespread use in building exterior walls and metal panels.

Since the content of easily hydrolyzed vinyl ester monomer and fluorine is about 30% lower than that of PVDF, there is a certain gap between its weather resistance and PVDF.

The PVDF content of the fluorocarbon coating produced by Baosteel is not less than 70% (others are acrylic resin).

Applicable industry

Products in the chemical industry have the characteristics of volatility and are prone to produce more corrosive volatile substances such as acid or alkali.

When exposed to water, they are easy to form dewdrops and adhere to the surface of the color plate. Which will corrode the coating of the color plate and may further corrode.

To the zinc layer or even the steel plate.

When the quality of the finished project is so dependent on the quality of materials, as it is in metal roofing, you want to be certain that you’re choosing the right products at the right price. And while the exact range for metal coils and sheets will vary widely, there are a variety of factors that will dictate their cost.

Sheffield Metals International (SMI) is a leading distributor of metal coils and sheets. Our main goal is to provide the industry with high-quality, reliable materials. Our relationships with contractors and their trust in our products allow them to focus on other aspects of the project, such as installation specifics and communication with the customer. Aside from supplying our customers with metal roofing products, we also create content in the form of articles, videos, and downloads.

In this article, we’ll look at the cost factors when it comes to buying metal coils and sheets, and which unique parts of your order — such as quantity, paint system, and custom colors, may impact the final price.

7 Cost Factors When Purchasing Metal Coils and Sheets

1. Material

The most common metal roofing materials are Galvalume (bare and painted), aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and zinc.

Products that are more accessible and commonly used for metal roofs, such as galvalume and aluminum, tend to be cheaper, while specialty products, such as stainless steel, copper, and zinc, can be much more expensive.

Part of this is because many suppliers might not carry these types of products in the first place, making them more exclusive. Other materials, such as copper, are also rarer, which drives up the price due to scarcity.

2. Dimensions

Metal roofing suppliers tend to offer “standard” coil widths, though these may differ from supplier to supplier. If you need something cut to a custom dimension that does not fall within a standard width, it will likely cost more.

3. Gauge

Thicker metals will cost more — 24-gauge metal, for instance, is more expensive than 26-gauge metal, but not by a huge margin. 24-gauge is the standard thickness used for standing seam metal roofs, as it offers more rigidity and strength than thinner metals, is less susceptible to oil canning, and is more likely to have available engineering and testing.

Although metal thickness will affect the cost of ordering coils and sheets, other considerations, such as the region you’re located in, can significantly impact the price.

4. Region

Where you’re located and where you need your order delivered can play a large role in the final cost. If you’re located in an isolated region, freight may cost more since delivering your products requires more effort.

On the other hand, if your metal roofing supplier is local, you may be able to go to their location to get the products, which can eliminate the cost of freight entirely.

The markets in different regions will vary and often drive costs up or down. In areas where metal roofing is hot and many different suppliers are vying for market share, prices for materials might drop. More isolated regions, or areas where metal roofing isn’t as popular, could see fewer options and higher prices.

Keep in mind, however, that if product prices seem too good to be true, sometimes they might be, and you could be buying products that aren’t the quality you’re looking for. Be sure you’re doing your research and finding a reliable supplier with testimonials or references. When it comes to metal roofing, finding the right products is the key to ensuring you can offer customers what they want and are building projects that will last.

5. Quantity

One of the more obvious factors regarding the final cost of ordering coils and sheets is the quantity you order. If you’re working on a commercial project, you’ll likely need a lot more materials than a residential job, so the cost will be higher. If you are ordering in bulk, however, you may be able to get discounts from your supplier. This will differ based on your unique supplier, and discounted bulk prices may not always be available.  

6. Paint System

The unique coating you choose for your metal, and the paint system, whether it’s polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or silicon modified polyester (SMP), will also affect the cost. PVDF is more expensive than SMP, as it’s a premium product with excellent color retention, chalking and fading resistance, better warranty coverage, and cool metal roofing properties.

Color choice may also play a role in the final cost, especially if it’s a custom color, as it will take time for the supplier to work with a paint company to match that color. Premium colors, metallics, and colors with a weathered finish also tend to have higher price points.

7. Market Fluctuations

As with many raw materials, the price of coils and sheets will be based on the overall economy — supply chain issues, global events, and international conflicts. Some products are being shipped from around the world, so prices are very contingent on the whole system working in unity.

For instance, the metal roofing market recently experienced a shortage of PVDF in . PVDF is a metal roofing coating and is also used to make batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage solutions for renewable energy systems.

Recently, there was a renewed demand for PVDF, with major players entering the market. EV and battery manufacturers were willing to pay higher prices for PVDF, which meant that PVDF manufacturers were more motivated to sell to that industry.

Plus, China, historically one of the largest PVDF manufacturers, had limited the supply of PVDF they were exporting. This created a new challenge for the metal roofing industry and raised the cost of PVDF significantly.

While factors like this may not be in your control when ordering products, it’s something to keep in mind as you see prices shift.

Where Can You Buy Metal Coils and Sheets?

Understanding the different pricing factors for metal coils and sheets can help you determine your budget and what to expect. Part of getting the right price, and the right products, comes down to finding a reliable, trusted metal roofing supplier.

Sheffield Metals has decades of experience in the industry and is dedicated to helping contractors meet their goals. Check out our additional content on ordering products from Sheffield Metals, or, if you’re ready, contact us today to place an order.

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