Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Head Flashing — Stainless
Technical product reference for stainless grade 316 head flashings at facade cladding panel openings — drip-edge, Z-profile, and box gutter head flashings for window heads, door heads, and horizontal panel junctions. Suitable for all exposure zones including coastal and marine.
What are stainless steel 316 head flashing systems?
Stainless steel 316 head flashings are specified for marine-zone and severe coastal environments where aluminium and Colorbond flashings will corrode within their design life. They are the long-life, maintenance-free option for high-rise facades where replacement access in 20+ years is not feasible.
Product Reference
4 product systems — stainless steel 316 head flashings — scroll to view all
SS316 Factory-Folded Head Flashing
Factory-Folded Head Flashing — SS316
System Description
316L stainless steel head flashings are factory-folded to the project-specific profile using CNC press-brake equipment. The 316L grade (low carbon, 2–3% molybdenum) provides superior pitting corrosion resistance in marine chloride environments — mandatory within 200 m of marine water and recommended within 1 km. Anti-capillary grooves are folded into the flashing nose to prevent water tracking back behind the flashing by capillary action. Factory folding ensures consistent geometry and eliminates site-folding distortion. Suitable for all cladding head flashings in NCC 2022 compliant facade systems.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316L stainless steel — 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm
- CNC press-brake factory folded — custom profile
- Anti-capillary groove: 3 mm return at nose
Limitations
- Highest cost option — specify only where marine corrosion is confirmed risk
- Factory folding requires shop drawings — lead time 3–6 weeks
- Thermal expansion at joints must be detailed — 1.5 mm/metre per 50°C delta
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
316 stainless coil stock (0.9 mm or 1.2 mm) can be site-folded on a portable metal bender to produce head flashings, sill flashings, and trim profiles during facade remediation. Site folding allows immediate adjustment to actual field dimensions — useful when as-built conditions differ from drawings. The 316 grade is suitable for coastal zones. Portable folding equipment must be capable of consistent radius bends in stainless — hardened rollers required. Site-folded flashings lack the precision of factory CNC folding and are better suited to remediation where short flashings are required over limited areas.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316 stainless coil stock
- Standard gauge: 0.9 mm or 1.2 mm
- Site folder: portable 1,800 mm capacity recommended
Limitations
- Site-folding less precise than factory CNC — inspect each length for distortion
- 0.9 mm gauge is less rigid — may sag at long unsupported spans
- Angle grinder cutting creates rust staining — use shears or guillotine only
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
SS316 Drip-Angle Head Flashing — Pre-formed
Drip-Angle Head Flashing — SS316
System Description
Pre-formed 316 stainless drip-angle sections (L-section with drip nose) are stock items for window and opening head flashings in coastal cladding applications. The pre-formed drip nose on the angle section creates a drip edge that directs water away from the facade face below. Available in 90° and 135° profiles to suit recessed and flush window applications. As stock items, lead times are minimal — suitable for urgent remediation work. Cut to length on site using aviation shears.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316 stainless steel
- Gauge: 1.2 mm standard
- Profiles: 90° L-angle and 135° drip angle
Limitations
- Standard sizes only — custom profiles require factory order
- Leg dimensions may not suit all window or cladding configurations — check sizes
- No anti-capillary groove in standard stock — specify custom for high-risk applications
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
SS316 Head Flashing with Formed End Dams
Head Flashing + End Dams — SS316
System Description
Factory-folded 316L stainless head flashings with pressed or welded end dams at each flashing terminus. End dams are critical in cavity drained systems — without them, water collected in the flashing channel runs out at the ends, potentially behind the adjacent cladding. End dams are folded up 50 mm at each end and lapped with the sill or jamb flashing. At wall junctions, silicone end caps are formed in situ using neutral-cure silicone sealant pressed into a backer rod dam. This detail is a mandatory QA requirement in all cavity-drained cladding installations per waterproofing best practice.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316L stainless — 1.5 mm
- End dam height: 50 mm minimum
- End dam method: factory folded or TIG-welded stainless tab
Limitations
- Factory end dams require shop drawing confirmation — add 1–2 weeks to lead time
- Field-formed silicone end dams require skilled applicator — not general labourer
- Silicone end dams must be inspected before cladding installation — defects not visible after
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of stainless steel 316 head flashing systems. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Product system | Brand | Grade | Gauge | Folding | Marine zone | End dams | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS316 Factory Head Flashing | Metroll / Steel & Tube | 316L | 1.5–2.0 mm | Factory CNC | Yes | Yes (factory) | Marine zone custom flashings |
| SS316 Site-Folded | BlueScope / Metroll | 316 | 0.9–1.2 mm | Site portable folder | Yes | Site silicone | Remediation — quick install |
| SS316 Drip-Angle Stock | Metroll / Steel & Tube | 316 | 1.2 mm | Pre-formed stock | Yes | Site silicone | Window head — stock sizes |
| SS316 + End Dams | Metroll / Sika | 316L | 1.5 mm | Factory CNC | Yes | Yes (factory welded) | Cavity drain — end dam critical |
Do not confuse stainless 316 head flashings with:
- Aluminium head flashing — appropriate for most inland and sheltered coastal zones but not marine zone exposures where SS 316 is required; aluminium head flashings will corrode at faster rates in high-chloride environments without adequate alloy specification
- Galvanised steel head flashing — zinc coating does not provide sufficient corrosion resistance in coastal or marine environments; galvanised flashings installed adjacent to aluminium cladding also create a bimetallic corrosion risk
- Lead flashing — prohibited in Australia for most new construction and remedial work; lead is a hazardous material and its use in accessible facade locations is not permitted under current health and safety requirements
- Colorbond head flashing in marine zone — steel-substrate Colorbond has reduced corrosion resistance in direct marine exposure compared to SS 316; marine zones require SS 316 or specialist Colorbond Ultra with confirmed suitability
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Flashing profiles and fixing methods must be confirmed by a facade engineer against the specific cladding system design, panel deflection, and wind loading. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering advice.