Hot Dip Galvanised vs Pregal Steel: What’s the Difference?

We have had many customers come into our store asking for “galvanised steel”, without realising that not all galvanising is the same. While galvanising steel is important in Australia, where the climate can be tough on steel, different applications require different galvanised steels.

Hot-dip galvanised steel and pre-galvanised steel (commonly known as pregal) are the two most commonly used types of galvanised steel. Both hot dip and pregal steel are used widely across industry and in everyday applications. But what exactly is the difference between the two? And which one should you choose for your project?

Here, we revisit the coating processes and characteristics of hot-dip galvanised steel and pregal steel, and break down the differences, so that you can choose the right product for your project.

What is hot-dip galvanised steel?

Hot dip galvanised steel has been through a galvanising process that involves dipping fully fabricated steel products (e.g. pipes, brackets, or beams) into a bath of molten zinc. As the entire product is submerged, the zinc bonds to all surfaces, including edges, corners, and internal recesses.

At Edcon, we cut the mill finish steel or stock length before sending it to our galvanisers (which typically takes 5-8 working days in the Sydney Metro area).

NOTE: Edcon Steel also stocks some Hot Dip Gal products in full lengths. When cut, these lengths do not have a galvanised end.

What is Pregal steel?

Unlike hot-dip galvanised steel, pregal steel is galvanised before it’s formed into a product. Steel coils or sheets are run through a continuous galvanising line, where it is dipped in molten zinc before being cut and shaped into products like flats, angles, SHS & RHS (square or rectangular hollow sections).

Which galvanised steel is right for you?

In a country like Australia, where we face a wide range of weather conditions, understanding the right steel to use can save you from headaches and unnecessary costs.

When deciding which type of galvanised steel is right for you, it all comes down to your application, environment, and budget.

We have provided a basic guide below, but you must talk to your builder, certifier, architect, or engineer before purchasing to clarify what you need. Edcon Steel staff can’t recommend which product to use.

Buy online from Edcon Steel

At Edcon Steel, we pride ourselves on the expertise of our staff, our level of customer service and the depth of our local market knowledge.

You can visit our stores to browse the range or pick up an online order. Our staff are on hand to answer any questions you have about our full range of products and services, so feel free to contact us for your steel or metal solution today.