Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 03:07am | #1

   *
   Aluminum oxidizes to produce its own protective finish. Galvinizing is for steel, not aluminium. Is your house already designed? Are you just trying to substitute a cheaper material? Or, are you trying to make a statement?

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 08:52am | #2

   *MikeActually James is probably referring to Galvalume, a hybrid ribbed sheet metal much like old barn roofing. I use it a lot for roofing. It comes preformed in 32" wide sheets, in any length you can realistically ship. I've installed it on roofs and side walls in 20'+ lengths. To answer the original question, it should be applied on walls and roofs over horizontal strapping, 24"oc is good. It can be attached with special nails or screws (which I prefer) which come clour matched for the myriad colours it is now available in. I don't think it is at all cost effective for walls, but is extremely cost effective on new roofs where significant savings are realised in not paying time & material for solid sheathing, not to mention it's lifespan of . . . forever?As far as the look is concerned it's definitly not to everyones taste as a sidewall material. The house that I applied the 20'+ wall sheets to was designed by a young interning(?) architect for his parents. The centre of the house featured a soaring tower/light well that was further accented by being a red galvalume box, sides & roof, in the middle of cedar board & batten. The locals took to refering to as the 'silo', one of my lumber suppliers told his driver to look for Taco Bell north!

2. 
   james_cohen | Feb 09, 1999 03:09am | #3

   *
   thanks for the information about galvalume. does it come in other patterns besides the standard wavy one? yes, i'm aware it makes quite a 'statement' but that's what i want- a metal, industrial finish. why is it more expensive as a wall covering than stucco/shingle/brick? longterm, i should make it up in zero maintenance, no painting, perhaps?

3. 
   james_cohen | Feb 09, 1999 09:22am | #4

   *
   i'm building a house and thinking about finishing the exterior with galvanized aluminum sheeting, similar to what frank ghery has done. questions: cost vs. stucco, durability and strength. what goes underneath the sheeting? any advice, thoughts are welcomed

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 09, 1999 09:22am | #5

   *
   James

   You would have to do some hard number crunching to compare sidewall galvalume costs with stucco, brick etc. Just get square foot $$ for each as a guide. I was comparing it to wood siding such as claps, or b&b, or god forbid vinyl or aluminum. Zero maintenace is one of the big benefits!!

   Afraid your stuck with "wavy" pattern, it is after all a roofing material. There are several 'styles' to the rib pattern including a very "boxy" one used specifically for sidewall. . .looks way too clunky for my taste but might suit your industrial aesthetic. If you really want to make a statement include a couple of colours. The project I described with the red metal tower & roof had two intersecting roofs clad with slate blue galvalume!! Loooks. . . interesting!