Hot dip galvanizing is a process where the steel is thoroughly chemically cleaned via hot acid etching and then dipped in a molten zinc bath, with the effect that the steel receives a permanent protective coating of zinc. The coating is rated 75 years maintenance free, even in contact with the ground. This process is more expensive than painting, but the savings in maintenance make it economical in the long run. The only real drawbacks are that the zinc coating will not accept a coat of paint, so there is no color choice available: the semi-shiny zinc finish you see here is the only option, and tubing must be perforated with small holes prior to immersion in the zinc bath. For various reasons, tubing can not be left sealed. What this means for the client is that there will be small holes in tubular handrails and the like. These are generally located on the underside of handrails and are not obviously visible, but they are there. The upside of that fact is that the steel is effectively coated inside and out, this is one of the reasons for it's extraordinary longevity. For external installations, Galvanized steel is often the superior choice of finish. For more information about Galvanizing, you can visit the American Galvanizers Association by clicking here: www.galvanizeit.org

    Here are some examples of fabricated and Galvanized steel, installed onsite.