Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Head Flashing — Colorbond
Technical product reference for pre-painted Colorbond steel head flashings at facade cladding panel openings — drip-edge, Z-profile, and box gutter head flashings available in the full Colorbond colour range for colour-matched facade systems. Suitable for non-marine environments; confirm coastal suitability with BlueScope for specific colour and profile combinations.
What are Colorbond steel head flashing systems?
Colorbond steel head flashings are the standard low-to-mid cost option for residential and light commercial cladding in non-marine zones. Available in 27 colours that match the Colorbond Walling range, they provide colour-coordinated facade details without the cost premium of anodised aluminium or stainless steel.
Product Reference
4 product systems — Colorbond steel head flashings — scroll to view all
Colorbond Ultra Factory Head Flashing
Factory-Folded Colorbond Head Flashing
System Description
Colorbond Ultra factory-folded head flashings are the most common colour-matched flashing in Australian residential and light commercial cladding. Factory-folded on CNC press-brake equipment, the Colorbond Ultra base steel provides improved corrosion resistance over standard Colorbond — rated for zones up to C4 (coastal, non-marine). Available in 27 standard Colorbond colours, allowing exact colour-matching to adjacent Colorbond Walling or Colorbond-coloured FC cladding. Anti-capillary grooves can be factory-formed at the drip nose.
Technical Properties
- Material: Colorbond Ultra steel — G550 zinc/aluminium/magnesium alloy coated
- Gauge: 0.48 mm or 0.55 mm BMT
- Colorbond paint system: polyester topcoat + primer
Limitations
- Not suitable for marine zone < 1 km from ocean — use anodised alum or SS316
- Cut edges corrode — factory trim cut edges with zinc-rich primer on site
- Colorbond colours are specific — confirm current colour chart before specifying
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Zincalume Site-Folded Head Flashing
Site-Folded Zincalume Head Flashing
System Description
Zincalume coil stock (Al/Zn alloy coating on steel base) is a cost-effective site-foldable flashing material for inland zones where colour-matching is not required. Site-folded on a portable metal bender, Zincalume provides significantly better corrosion resistance than galvanised steel, with the 55% aluminium / 43.5% zinc / 1.5% silicon coating offering sacrificial protection at cut edges. Can be painted on site with a compatible primer and topcoat — useful when flashings will be visible but colour is required. Not suitable for coastal or marine zones without additional protective coating.
Technical Properties
- Material: Zincalume — AZ150 Al/Zn/Si alloy coating
- Gauge: 0.55 mm or 0.75 mm coil
- Coating weight: AZ150 — 150 g/m² total (both sides)
Limitations
- Not suitable for coastal or marine zones — use anodised alum or SS316
- Cut edges must be primed within 24 hr — rust staining otherwise
- Site folding less precise than factory — inspect each length
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Colorbond Walling Stock Head Flashing Profile
Stock Colorbond Head Flashing
System Description
Stratco and Metroll stock Colorbond head flashing profiles in common sizes (50 mm, 65 mm, 100 mm leg) for immediate availability from trade distribution. These standard drip-angle profiles in popular Colorbond colours (Woodland Grey, Surfmist, Monument) provide a workable solution for urgent remediation work where factory lead times are not available. Standard sizes are pre-folded with drip nose and are suitable for window and door head flashings in standard openings. Custom profiles and non-stock colours require factory order.
Technical Properties
- Material: Colorbond steel — standard grade
- Gauge: 0.55 mm BMT
- Standard profiles: 50 × 50, 65 × 50, 100 × 65 mm
Limitations
- Stock colours limited — may not match existing cladding colour exactly
- Standard sizes only — custom openings require factory-fold order
- Not suitable for marine zone
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Colorbond Ultra Anti-Capillary Custom Head Flashing
Custom Colorbond Ultra Anti-Capillary Head Flashing
System Description
Custom-folded Colorbond Ultra head flashings with anti-capillary groove and optional end dams, manufactured from shop drawings for high-specification residential and commercial cladding remediation. The Colorbond Ultra base material provides the highest corrosion rating in the Colorbond range — suitable for coastal zones (C4) up to 1 km from marine water. The anti-capillary groove at the drip nose prevents water tracking by capillary action back behind the flashing. End dams are factory-folded into the flashing terminations. Lead time 3–5 weeks.
Technical Properties
- Material: Colorbond Ultra steel — G550 ZAM alloy
- Gauge: 0.55 mm BMT
- Anti-capillary groove: 3 mm × 3 mm at drip nose
Limitations
- Not suitable for marine zone < 1 km ocean — use SS316
- Factory lead time 3–5 weeks — plan ahead
- Shop drawings must be approved before fabrication — changes add 1–2 weeks
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of Colorbond steel head flashing systems. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Product system | Brand | Base material | Gauge | Folding | Max zone | Colour match | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorbond Ultra Factory | BlueScope / Colorbond | ZAM alloy steel | 0.55 mm | Factory CNC | C4 (coastal) | 27 Colorbond colours | Coastal — colour matched |
| Zincalume Site-Folded | BlueScope / Stratco | AZ150 steel | 0.55–0.75 mm | Site folder | C3 (general) | Paintable on site | Inland remediation |
| Colorbond Stock Flashing | Stratco / Metroll | Standard Colorbond | 0.55 mm | Pre-formed stock | C3 (general) | Limited stock colours | Urgent — stock sizes |
| Colorbond Ultra Anti-Cap | Metroll / BlueScope | ZAM alloy steel | 0.55 mm | Factory CNC custom | C4 (coastal) | Any Colorbond colour | High-spec custom — anti-cap |
Do not confuse Colorbond head flashings with:
- Colorbond roofing accessories — roof ridges, barge flashings, and gutter profiles designed for horizontal roofing applications; facade head flashings have different profiles, upstand heights, and weathering details suited to vertical external wall terminations
- Lead flashing — a heavy, grey malleable metal; often confused visually with painted steel flashings at a distance; lead is prohibited for most new and remedial facade work in Australia and must be removed and replaced, not patched
- Zincalume in coastal or marine zones — Zincalume (unpainted Al-Zn coated steel) has lower corrosion resistance than Colorbond Ultra in coastal conditions; do not substitute Zincalume for Colorbond Ultra in coastal zones without confirming zone classification
- Site-cut painted steel from off-cuts — raw-cut steel sheet or off-cut plate painted on site is not equivalent to factory Colorbond-coated flashing; cut edges on Colorbond flashings must be factory-treated or sealed to prevent edge corrosion
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Flashing profiles and fixing methods must be confirmed by a facade engineer against the specific cladding system design. Colorbond® is a registered trademark of BlueScope Steel. Coastal suitability and colour availability must be confirmed directly with BlueScope. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering advice.