Roofing Sheets – A path-breaking solution..!

Remember the good old days of the ubiquitous AC (asbestos cement) sheets? With asbestos termed as the “ wonder fibre", it was a revolution in low-cost structure building. 

Health Risks

Gradually the detrimental health effects of asbestos, causing mesothelioma of the lung and abdomen, were observed. The effect was more marked during the manufacturing process, as asbestos had to be handled in its crude form.

 Despite this, AC sheets continued to be used, as they provided a low-cost roofing solution.

Galvanization

In the olden days, steel was costly. As the years progressed, the availability of steel increased. The prices of steel also fell. This was due to the setting up of larger steel plants. This gave a boost to the economy.

It was found that the finished steel could be coated with zinc (Galvanzation). This gave it a good appearance and also protected its surface from rusting.

Profiled sheets

The galvanized sheet steel could be profiled. It could be given a wavy or a trapezoidal shape. This gave strength to the sheet. Additionally, the cut lengths of the sheets could be stacked neatly. This was a significant advantage in transportation, as the product occupied a minimum volume for its weight.  

Thus, we had a product that could substitute the AC ( asbestos cement) sheet, named as GI profile sheet. It had the same strength and durability as the AC sheet. It created a revolution of sorts. The health risks described above no longer existed. 

Roofing

Depending upon the usage, these sheets are manufactured in various thicknesses and sizes. The usage was not limited to roofing alone. There were many other applications where these could be used, especially for cladding, where aesthetics were important. 

Colouring

Another variant that has attracted a lot of attention is the colour roofing sheet. Here instead of a coat of zinc, the surfaces are painted. The surface is also given a scratch-proof coat.

It provides all the advantages of the GI sheet and improves the aesthetic value considerably. The two surfaces could be painted with different colours. The sheets are available in different thickness ranges. 

One advantage of colour roofing sheets is that the end can be crimped and curved. This is very useful in sloped roofing construction.  

Many reputed steel manufactures have the above products in their profile. Among them, JSW Steels stand out for their quality and adherence to National and International standards. Their prices are competitive and could be the first choice when looking for these products.