Arriving at a home improvement retail store, a quick glance across the parking lot reveals numerous commercial work vehicles equipped with roof bars. Amidst the variety of vehicles, there are those fitted with identical roof bars and others with various types. Have you ever pondered over the appropriate roof bar for your commercial upfit? Or contemplated the factors to weigh when embarking on your search?
Let’s explore the aspects to keep in mind while shopping for a roof bar. The various categories to consider encompass material, construction, weight capacity, accessibility, durability, price range, and maintenance. When diligently searching for the ideal roof bar, one would expect thorough research and confirmation across all these categories. Nevertheless, in my recent conversations with a specialist in commercial vehicle modifications, I was intrigued to learn that despite the numerous choices accessible to end users, maintenance was rarely a primary concern.
Maintenance
Now, shifting our focus to maintenance. Maintenance refers to the condition of being upheld and involves the act of conserving. Adequate maintenance of equipment contributes to extending its optimal usage duration and enhancing its effectiveness. When a commercial roof bar is properly preserved, its value remains intact over time, playing a crucial role in the overall lifespan of the product. As individuals venture out to their respective professions as carpenters, plumbers, contractors, electricians, and beyond, their commercial vehicles and cargo roof bars essentially transform into extensions of their workplaces. Hence, contemplating the maintenance aspect becomes imperative for all of them.
Aluminum VS. Steel
When making a selection for a cargo carrier suited to your commercial vehicle, what material should it be crafted from? Nowadays, the prevalent options for commercial roof bars predominantly revolve around aluminum or steel constructions.
Aluminum boasts a lighter weight profile, while steel stands out for its established strength and superior longevity. When contemplating an aluminum roof bar, do you have a clear understanding of the required strength level? Unlike steel, which can succumb to rust over time due to its iron content, aluminum remains immune to rust due to its absence of iron. However, it’s important to acknowledge that if aluminum is intended for outdoor use, an anodizing process is essential. It’s worth noting that aluminum comes with a higher price tag and necessitates consistent cleaning to prevent the accumulation of dirt.
Steel roof bars offer robustness, durability, and a sense of dependability for users throughout their lifespan. As steel contains iron, it is susceptible to rust over time. However, the majority of steel roof bars available in the market counteract this vulnerability through the incorporation of additive techniques that shield them from both rust and adverse environmental elements. By incorporating these protective measures, users are provided with sturdier roof bars boasting an extended lifespan.
Anodizing Aluminum
Anodizing aluminum involves applying a safeguarding oxide layer to its surface through an electrolytic process, wherein the metal serves as the anode.
Unprotected raw aluminum surfaces cannot maintain their polished appearance when subjected to outdoor conditions. Oxides naturally develop on the surface, leading to a loss of shine. To preserve a glossy finish on aluminum, regular cleaning and polishing routines are essential.
Aluminum undergoes anodization to enhance its resistance against corrosion and to promote better adhesion. However, this process doesn’t enhance its strength as the resulting layer is insulative in nature.
Galvanizing Steel
An effective technique for safeguarding steel is galvanization. The procedure involves immersing fabricated steel or iron components into a container of molten zinc, a method known as hot-dip galvanizing. During immersion, the iron present in the steel reacts with the zinc to create a tightly bonded alloy coating. Galvanized steel presents notable advantages. In many cases, the initial expense of purchasing galvanized steel roof bars is lower compared to alternative protective coatings. Furthermore, even if the initial cost of galvanization is relatively higher, the extended lifespan it bestows upon the steel offsets the initial investment by offering enhanced durability over time.
Galvanized steel stands as a highly dependable option, with its process yielding consistent results. Opting for a galvanized steel roof bar not only presents a reasonable initial cost but also entails minimal to no maintenance throughout the product’s lifespan.
Head to Head
Anodizing an aluminum surface enables end users to mitigate corrosion to a certain extent, yet it does not completely eradicate the risk. Anodization imparts a slender protective layer in the form of aluminum oxide. However, this layer will degrade over time. The longevity of surface protection varies based on the thickness and quality of the anodization layer, potentially extending from 10 to 20 years.
A galvanized steel finish offers both rust resistance and abrasion resistance to the metal, ensuring it remains free from corrosion. Through galvanization, steel gains a lifespan of over 50 years while enjoying comprehensive protection. This is achieved by zinc bonding to every aspect of the object during the galvanization process. Thanks to this thorough safeguarding, the steel product can endure scratches, impacts, and dents without necessitating any maintenance or repairs. The zinc bonding encompasses the entire item, resulting in the application of the most robust coating possible onto the steel.
When selecting a roof bar, it’s important to consider factors such as weight, upkeep, and durability. If weight is a consideration, aluminum presents a favorable choice, albeit necessitating occasional maintenance. Alternatively, for situations where weight isn’t a primary issue, opting for a steel roof bar that is easier to maintain might be the preferable route.
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