The use of galvanizing for structural steel protection gives you twelve reasons.
  1.Lowest First Cost
Galvanizing is lower in first cost than many other commonly specified protective coatings for steel. (Figure. 2)
  2.Lowest Long Term Cost
Even in cases where the initial cost of galvanizing is higher than alternative coatings, galvanizing is almost invariably cheapest in the long term (because it fasts longer and needs less maintenance).
  3.Lowest Lifetime Cost
The application cost of labour intensive coatings such as painting has risen far more than the cost of factory operations such as galvanizing - the labour component of finished paint coatings averages about 80%, compared to only about 30% for galvanizing.
  4.Long life
The life expectancy of galvanized coatings on typical structural members is far in excess of 50 years in most rural environments, and 20 to 25 years plus, even in severe urban and coastal exposure. (Figure. 5)
  5.Reliability
The galvanized coating becomes part of the steel surface it protects.
  6.Coating Toughness
A galvanized coating has a unique metallurgical structure which gives outstanding resistance to mechanical damage in transport, erection and service. (Figure. 1)
  7.Less Maintenance
Maintenance causes problems and adds to costs when structures are located in remote areas, and when plant shutdown or disruption to production is involved.
  8.Automatic protection for damaged areas
Galvanized coatings corrode preferentially to steel, providing cathodic or sacrificial protection to small areas of steel exposed through damage. Unlike organic coatings, small damage areas need no touch up. (Figure. 3)
  9.Complete Protection
Every part of a galvanized article is protected, even recesses, sharp corners and inaccessible areas. No coating applied to a structure of fabrication after completion can provide the same protection. (Figure. 4)
  10.Ease of inspection
Galvanized coatings are assessed readily by eye, and simple non-destructive thickness testing methods can be used. The galvanizing process is such that if coatings appear sound and continuous, they are sound and continuous.
  11.Faster erection time
As galvanized steel members are received they are ready for use. No time is lost on-site in surface preparation, painting and inspection. When assembly of the structure is complete, it is immediately ready for use, or for the next construction stage.
  12.The mechanical properation
The mechanical properties of commonly galvanized steel are not significantly affected by galvanizing.