Thermal expansion of steel cladding

The thermal expansion coefficient of steel used for roof and wall cladding is 11.3 x 10-6  per °C. In practical terms, this means that, over a 50°C temperature range, an 8 m long sheet will expand by 4.5 mm. Since the whole of the building structure flexes to accommodate this very small movement, thermal expansion of prefinished steel sheets, unlike some alternatives, rarely presents any problems.