In architectural applications, stainless steel is often used because
of its attractive appearance. Facades, interior cladding, lifts and escalators,
handrails and parapets are some of the most typical areas of stainless
steel use. The family of stainless steels, however, has more to offer
than just good looks. Its technical properties make it an ideal choice
for many other building applications, in which additional durability requirements
are essential.
For the owner of a building, the advantages of stainless steel roofs are mainly related to the following three aspects:
Maximum life expectancy
The presence of air pollution highlights the need for corrosion resistant
materials on buildings. The Chrysler Building in New York is clear proof
that stainless steel is the ideal answer to this requirement. Built in
1929-1932, this building remains an outstanding testimonial for stainless
steel in roofing and facade cladding. The stainless steel used was similar
to today’s 1.4301.
Minimum maintenance
As maintenance costs continue to increase, it is important to bear these
in mind right from the planning stage of a building. Due to its long-term
corrosion resistance and smooth surface finish, most stainless steel
roofs, when designed and erected correctly, require very little maintenance.
Low weight
Due to the high mechanical performance of stainless steel, the typical
thickness of the material is lower than for most other metallic roofing
materials. This can result in a lower overall weight after erection and
therefore a lighter, more cost-effective supporting structure. Stainless steel roofs can be made using a variety of techniques, from
the traditional standing seam method to special welded techniques. Although low in weight, stainless steel has a high profile in terms of durability.
Self-repair capability
Stainless steel is an alloy containing at least 10.5 % chromium 1), giving it an inherent ability to protect itself from corrosion.
Chromium in the steel reacts with oxygen in the air and/or water to which
the steel surface is exposed, and forms an invisible protective film of
a chromium-rich oxide. If this layer is damaged, mechanically or chemically,
it is spontaneously rebuilt if oxygen is present. Corrosion resistance
is increased with higher chromium levels and, additionally, by adding
molybdenum to the alloy.
For more information about stainless steel, visit the Ugine website
For a visual example of this roofing type, please visit the following completed project case studies:
- Cambridge Science Park, Unit 406
- Cambridge Science Park, Unit 410
- Cambridge Science Park, Unit 418
- Cambridge Science Park, Unit 428
