Galvanised or painted railings for coastal Dublin
From Clontarf round to Killiney, Dublin's coastal properties are a harsh test of any steel finish. The question we are asked most is whether galvanising is really worth the extra cost. On the coast the answer is not close.
How each system protects steel
Paint is a barrier. It works while it is intact, and once it is chipped or cracked, moisture reaches the steel underneath and corrosion spreads sideways beneath the film. That is why painted railings fail at edges, welds and fixings first.
Hot dip galvanising is metallurgical. The zinc bonds to the steel and also protects it sacrificially, so a small scratch does not start a spreading failure. The coating is applied by dipping the finished item, so it reaches inside hollow sections and into corners that a brush never will.
Duplex: galvanising plus powder coating
Most people want colour, not silver zinc. A duplex system applies a powder coat over the galvanised surface. The coating lasts longer than it would over bare steel because the substrate is not corroding beneath it, and the zinc lasts longer because it is shielded from the weather.
Combined, a duplex system typically outlasts the sum of the two applied separately. For coastal Dublin it is the specification we recommend on almost every railing.
What it costs and what it saves
Galvanising adds a meaningful amount to the initial price. Set against it is the cost of stripping, preparing and repainting a railing run every few years, which involves scaffolding on many seafront properties, plus the eventual replacement of steel that has corroded through.
Over ten to fifteen years the galvanised option is usually cheaper, and it looks better the whole time.
Maintenance either way
Wash coastal railings with fresh water periodically to remove salt build up. For duplex coatings, touch in any deep chip so the coating edge does not lift.
We fabricate and arrange galvanising and powder coating for coastal Dublin properties, and will give you an honest view of whether your location genuinely needs it.
Want this priced for your own job? Send us your drawings or a photo and we will come back with a fixed price, usually within one working day.
Common questions
Need this done properly? Talk to the workshop.
Send us drawings, a sketch or a site photo. We come back with a fixed price and a firm lead time, usually within one working day.