Use of the selector

Based on the project the specifier needs to consider the following questions to determine the suitability of the different Colorcoat® products.

The comparisons given here build on the aspects introduced elsewhere on Colorcoat-Online and you should ensure thorough knowledge of the topics linked to this page to make the best product selection.

Pre-finished steels can transform the vision of the designer into reality. For visual elements of the building fabric, the aesthetic effect of the cladding is a fundamental concern. The simplest choice is cladding colour and how this relates to the building’s environment. Metallic effects are increasingly popular and give a modern appearance to façades. Each product has its own specific effect to optimise its appearance and performance. By defining a range of standard colours for Colorcoat® products, Corus are able to ensure ready availability throughout the supply chain. For Colorcoat HPS200® and Colorcoat Prisma®, the Repertoire® service allows almost any colour to be matched with the full benefits of Colorcoat HPS200 and Colorcoat Prisma without the supply difficulties sometimes experienced for bespoke colours.

The exact location and therefore the local environment of every building is unique. However, through a thorough understanding of the factors affecting the durability of pre-finished steel cladding, generalisation can be made. Rural environments are the least demanding on the coating, whilst progressing through the urban to an industrial environment tends to introduce more pollutants that can affect durability. The effect of salt-water in the air is particularly significant and, depending on building height and local geography, can be important even in areas that would not normally be considered as coastal.

Notes:
The Corus Confidex® guarantee defines coastal locations only as those less than 1 km from the sea. The superior corrosion performance of Colorcoat® products allows buildings constructed in the 1-10 km region to be classified with the same level of performance as rural, urban and industrial locations.

The final application for any pre-finished steel will require that it is bent, folded or drawn to some extent. Even in flat panel applications, the edges of panels need forming. The ability of a product to withstand such manipulation and to maintain its integrity and lifelong performance will determine the suitability of that product. For example, profiled sheets are roll-formed, but roof-tiles require an additional pressing and drawing operation which puts added stress on the coatings. Only the most flexible of coatings are suitable for the more demanding applications. Certain, more aesthetic applications such as flat wall panels require a high-quality durable surface, and so here aesthetics are arguably more important than functionality.

Notes:

• The ratings given here reflect the suitability of a particular Colorcoat® product for a particular application, but for details on availability it is important to check with system manufacturers.
• Corus recommends the use of thicker pre-finished steel topcoats for roof applications, as they are more able to withstand the demands of fabrication, site practice and foot traffic.

With adequate maintenance, all Colorcoat® products can give 60 years service as a weatherproof membrane. However, there are significant differences in how the individual coatings will weather in that time, and these are mirrored in statements of warranty and performance. As with any purchase, the existence of a guarantee gives peace of mind that in normal conditions the product will not fail during the specified period. For Colorcoat Celestia®, Colorcoat HPS200® and Colorcoat Prisma® this period is the Confidex® Guarantee Period shown on the Compass® Durability Index. Where Corus do not offer guarantees, a statement of expected performance is given to guide the specifier towards the correct product for an application. All of the quoted figures relate to the Period to Re-paint Decision (PRD), which is the minimum length of time before the building owner needs to consider over-painting the cladding.

Finally, once the external coating is selected from the Colorcoat® exterior products portfolio, consideration should be given to the internal environment.