COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+
In order to handle the harsh conditions experienced by New Zealanders in close proximity to the coastline, COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ has been designed with built-in technology that combats corrosion.
In addition, it has a layer of anti-condensation fleece which absorbs accumulating moisture, storing it until the roof temperature rises and the water evaporates. This does away with the need for roofing underlay or netting, which in turn makes the installation process quicker and easier.
And because there’s no longer any need for underlay or netting – which can become ripped and worn – the end result looks better for longer.
Features
Features
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ has been developed for residential buildings and commercial buildings including industrial sheds, unlined garages and farm buildings. The underside of COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ roofing is designed to absorb and store condensing water. When the roof temperature rises again the stored water evaporates.
The COLORSTEEL® paint system consists of a ZINCALUME® steel substrate to which a prepainted finish system is applied. The paint system is designed to provide protection against corrosion in areas where more severe environmental conditions are experienced. COLORSTEEL® product is suitable for a wide range of rollformed roofing products. The COLORSTEEL® paint system will exceed the service life of most traditional post painted systems.
Durability
When rollformed, installed and maintained in accordance with New Zealand Steel's recommendations, COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ will meet the performance requirements of NZBC B2 for a 15-year durability when used in a severe environment for the manufacture of roofs. COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+, like COLORSTEEL® MAXX® and COLORSTEEL® ENDURA®, may fade uniformly over the surface, the extent being no more than 8 CIE HunterLAB units on the Delta E scale after 10 years or more than 10 units after 15 years, and have a chalk rating of no more than 4 (AS 1580 481.1.11, 1998) after 10 years’ exposure.
Composition
The COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel substrate is steel strip, commonly 0.40 mm or 0.55 mm thick and coated with a 45% zinc, 55% aluminium alloy (by weight) to a nominal coating mass of 200 g/m² manufactured in accordance to AS1397:2011. A range of thicknesses, widths and strengths are available. Paint coatings are oven cured to provide colour and corrosion performance. Following prepainting, a water absorbent fleece is applied to the reverse side.
Appearance
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in all top coat colours. The COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ fleece colour is grey, similar to the Perpetual Grey® backer of COLORSTEEL® products.
Fire testing
New Zealand Steel’s coated products have been tested in accordance with ISO 5660 Part 1 and Part 2.
| Product | Group Number |
| COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX® | Group 1 - S |
| COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ | Group 1 - S |
| COLORSTEEL® ENDURA® | Group 1 - S |
| COLORSTEEL® MAXX® | Group 1 - S |
Profiles
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in a range of profiles, please check with a rollformer to confirm that COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in your desired profile. Rollforming companies operate throughout New Zealand, each offering their own range of profiles. Contact your local rollformer who will be able to show you samples of the profiles and locations where its product has been installed.
Availability
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available from leading roofing distributors.
Serviceable life
The topcoat of COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ can be painted to extend its serviceable life. Contact your paint supplier for recommendations on overpainting weathered COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products.
Drinking water
Rainwater collected from roofs with products made from GALVSTEEL®, ZINCALUME® steel and COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel, will comply with the provisions of NZBC G12.3.1, provided the water is not contaminated from other sources.
The first 25mm of rainfall from a newly installed roof must be discarded before drinking water collection starts. Where a post paint system is applied to the roof, its suitability for the collection of drinking water must be established.
Applicable standards
All COLORSTEEL® products are supplied to conform to the appropriate NZ standards.
Dimensional Tolerances:
- AS/NZS 1365
Organic Finishes:
- AS/NZS 2728: Prepainted and organic film/metal laminate products – performance requirements for interior/exterior applications in buildings
- AS/NZS 4020: Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water
Guidelines For Use
Guidelines
Limitations of Use
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel is a roofing product only and is not recommended for use in very severe environments, i.e. within approximately 100 metres of breaking surf or corrosive industrial emissions. Refer to New Zealand Steel's Technical Manager for further information on the definition of corrosive environments. Before using COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel products near sources of industrial pollution or in geothermal areas, please contact New Zealand Steel's Technical Manager.
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel products should not be used in the following applications:
- Guttering, flashing, downpipes, wall cladding
- Embedded in concrete
- In contact with permanently wet materials
- Water tanks
- In contact with soil, bark or similar
- As concrete formwork
- In intensive animal shelters
Copper or brass pipes must not be allowed to discharge onto COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products or be allowed to come into contact with them. The use of other materials in proximity to COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products must be in accordance with New Zealand Steel's Information Bulletins. Mixing of brands of prepainted material on the same building is not recommended.
The reaction between COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel and lead flashings will degrade the COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel material. Soft zinc or aluminium flashings should be used. Marking with lead pencils is not advised, and sealing washers should be low carbon non–conducting.
Installation of Product
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel must be installed by a New Zealand Steel accredited roofer to obtain a warranty. Contact New Zealand Steel's Technical Manager to confirm your roofer is accredited.
Maintenance
Areas of COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel that are not regularly washed with rain water, such as areas of high risk, must be routinely washed to remove surface deposits to ensure satisfactory life is obtained from the product. Specific maintenance recommendations are given in the table below. Always wear soft soled shoes when walking on COLORSTEEL® surfaces to avoid causing damage.
Maintenance Recommendations For COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ Products Used For Roofing
| Environment | Moderate | Severe | Very Severe |
| Top Side: Roof | Rain washing | Rain Washing | Not recommended |
| Top Side: Unwashed and High Risk Areas of Roof | Manual washing every 6 months | Manual washing every 3 months | Not recommended |
| Reverse Side: Awnings & Opensided Buildings | Manual washing every 6 months | Manual washing every 3 months | Not recommended |
Fixings
- Aluminium and factory painted fixings are acceptable
- Stainless steel, monel or other copper alloy fixings must not be used
- Lead-head nails must not be used
- Fixings that meet AS3566 class 3 and 4 are acceptable
Sealing & Joining
- Use only neutral-cure silicone rubber sealants
- Do not use abrasive cutting wheels
- Do not weld, braze or solder
Touch-up Paints
These paints should not be used, as air drying paints have different weathering characteristics to the COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel coating. For more information, see Installation: Touch-Up Paints.
Clean-up
All debris (particularly from roofing installation) must be removed from COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel product surfaces at the end of each day’s work. Take care not to damage the coating when removing sharp fixing debris. For more information, see Installation: Swarf Staining.
External Moisture
COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel roofs must be installed at a minimum of 3° or over the minimum pitch given for the profile by the profile manufacturer, whichever is greater. Factors likely to affect the resistance of COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel to external moisture include the quality of the installation, severity of the climate, roof configuration, material profile and design and execution of junctions between similar materials and other elements.
Handling & Storage
If COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products are to be stored for any time prior to forming or installation, they must be stored in dry, well ventilated conditions. Storage which allows water (including condensation) to be trapped between the sheets may damage the coating beyond repair. COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products must be handled carefully during transport, fabrication and fixing to avoid damaging the surface.
Warranty & Maintenance
Warranty
When used for roofs in outbuildings in mild to moderate environments a 15 year warranty will apply.
New Zealand has a wide range of environmental conditions, from the harsh West Coast beaches, to the relative shelter of the Waikato farming region. New Zealand Steel Limited offers a range of coated steel products, that are suitable for most locations.
Mild to Moderate Inland
Characterised by:
- No obvious marine or industrial influences
- Typically more than 1000 meters from exposed coasts or more than 500 meters from industrial emissions.
Mild to Moderate Coastal
Characterised by:
- Little or no salt deposits
- The occasional smell of salt spray in the air.
- Typically starts 500 - 1000 meters from breaking surf such as is found on exposed coasts OR in the immediate vicinity of calm salt water such as estuaries.
Severe
Characterised by:
- Light salt deposits.
- A frequent smell of salt spray in the air.
- Typically starts 100 - 500 meters from breaking surf such as is found on exposed coasts.
- In the immediate vicinity of large expanses of calm salt water such as harbour foreshores.
This environment may be extended inland by prevailing winds and local conditions.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What buildings is COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ suitable for use on?
At the moment COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available for roofing applications on all non-habitable buildings e.g. sheds and industrial buildings.
Can COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ be used on cladding?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is only suitable for roofing. Cladding, and all accessories (such as gutters, flashings) are available from the regular COLORSTEEL® product range.
Can the absorbent backer be supplied on ZINCALUME®?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is only available with prepainted COLORSTEEL® product.
Does fungus grow on the COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ backer?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel does not support fungal growth and is classified as a Class I material (a material that is extremely insensitive to fungus growth). It has been tested independently by TNO Bouw in the Netherlands.
Which colours is COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ product available in?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in all top coat colours. The COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ fleece colour is grey, similar to the PERPETUAL GREY® backer of COLORSTEEL® ENDURA® and COLORSTEEL® MAXX®.
How does a roofer become an accredited COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ Installer?
Only accredited roofers can install COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+. Face-to-face training is available from New Zealand Steel. Please contact your rollformer for more information on how to complete this qualification.
Why does COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ have to be stored dry prior to installation?
The backer of COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is made to absorb water in wet environments. If the product is close stacked, the fleece backer has no room to breathe and the water will not evaporate. A wet stack of sheets can have an impact on the performance of the painted product. Furthermore, on the day of the installation, when the sheets are prepared and the drip edge is melted back from the edge, the melt back process will take much longer and time savings may not be achievable for the roofer.
Can I store COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ outside prior to installation?
No. You should not expose COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ to the outside weather conditions prior to installation. The product is designed to absorb water, so if it absorbs water while stacked the moisture can’t evaporate, causing the product to become significantly heavier. Furthermore, on the day of the installation, when the sheets are prepared and the drip edge is melted back from the edge, the melt back process will take much longer and time savings may not be achievable for the roofer.
Does COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ absorb water from gutters?
No. Capillary action on overhangs is managed by removing the backer 3-6cm from the sheet edge during installation.
Features
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ has been developed for residential buildings and commercial buildings including industrial sheds, unlined garages and farm buildings. The underside of COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ roofing is designed to absorb and store condensing water. When the roof temperature rises again the stored water evaporates.
The COLORSTEEL® paint system consists of a ZINCALUME® steel substrate to which a prepainted finish system is applied. The paint system is designed to provide protection against corrosion in areas where more severe environmental conditions are experienced. COLORSTEEL® product is suitable for a wide range of rollformed roofing products. The COLORSTEEL® paint system will exceed the service life of most traditional post painted systems.
Durability
When rollformed, installed and maintained in accordance with New Zealand Steel's recommendations, COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ will meet the performance requirements of NZBC B2 for a 15-year durability when used in a severe environment for the manufacture of roofs. COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+, like COLORSTEEL® MAXX® and COLORSTEEL® ENDURA®, may fade uniformly over the surface, the extent being no more than 8 CIE HunterLAB units on the Delta E scale after 10 years or more than 10 units after 15 years, and have a chalk rating of no more than 4 (AS 1580 481.1.11, 1998) after 10 years’ exposure.
Composition
The COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel substrate is steel strip, commonly 0.40 mm or 0.55 mm thick and coated with a 45% zinc, 55% aluminium alloy (by weight) to a nominal coating mass of 200 g/m² manufactured in accordance to AS1397:2011. A range of thicknesses, widths and strengths are available. Paint coatings are oven cured to provide colour and corrosion performance. Following prepainting, a water absorbent fleece is applied to the reverse side.
Appearance
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in all top coat colours. The COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ fleece colour is grey, similar to the Perpetual Grey® backer of COLORSTEEL® products.
Fire testing
New Zealand Steel’s coated products have been tested in accordance with ISO 5660 Part 1 and Part 2.
| Product | Group Number |
| COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX® | Group 1 - S |
| COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ | Group 1 - S |
| COLORSTEEL® ENDURA® | Group 1 - S |
| COLORSTEEL® MAXX® | Group 1 - S |
Profiles
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in a range of profiles, please check with a rollformer to confirm that COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in your desired profile. Rollforming companies operate throughout New Zealand, each offering their own range of profiles. Contact your local rollformer who will be able to show you samples of the profiles and locations where its product has been installed.
Availability
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available from leading roofing distributors.
Serviceable life
The topcoat of COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ can be painted to extend its serviceable life. Contact your paint supplier for recommendations on overpainting weathered COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products.
Drinking water
Rainwater collected from roofs with products made from GALVSTEEL®, ZINCALUME® steel and COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel, will comply with the provisions of NZBC G12.3.1, provided the water is not contaminated from other sources.
The first 25mm of rainfall from a newly installed roof must be discarded before drinking water collection starts. Where a post paint system is applied to the roof, its suitability for the collection of drinking water must be established.
Applicable standards
All COLORSTEEL® products are supplied to conform to the appropriate NZ standards.
Dimensional Tolerances:
- AS/NZS 1365
Organic Finishes:
- AS/NZS 2728: Prepainted and organic film/metal laminate products – performance requirements for interior/exterior applications in buildings
- AS/NZS 4020: Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water
Guidelines
Limitations of Use
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel is a roofing product only and is not recommended for use in very severe environments, i.e. within approximately 100 metres of breaking surf or corrosive industrial emissions. Refer to New Zealand Steel's Technical Manager for further information on the definition of corrosive environments. Before using COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel products near sources of industrial pollution or in geothermal areas, please contact New Zealand Steel's Technical Manager.
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel products should not be used in the following applications:
- Guttering, flashing, downpipes, wall cladding
- Embedded in concrete
- In contact with permanently wet materials
- Water tanks
- In contact with soil, bark or similar
- As concrete formwork
- In intensive animal shelters
Copper or brass pipes must not be allowed to discharge onto COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products or be allowed to come into contact with them. The use of other materials in proximity to COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products must be in accordance with New Zealand Steel's Information Bulletins. Mixing of brands of prepainted material on the same building is not recommended.
The reaction between COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel and lead flashings will degrade the COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel material. Soft zinc or aluminium flashings should be used. Marking with lead pencils is not advised, and sealing washers should be low carbon non–conducting.
Installation of Product
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel must be installed by a New Zealand Steel accredited roofer to obtain a warranty. Contact New Zealand Steel's Technical Manager to confirm your roofer is accredited.
Maintenance
Areas of COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel that are not regularly washed with rain water, such as areas of high risk, must be routinely washed to remove surface deposits to ensure satisfactory life is obtained from the product. Specific maintenance recommendations are given in the table below. Always wear soft soled shoes when walking on COLORSTEEL® surfaces to avoid causing damage.
Maintenance Recommendations For COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ Products Used For Roofing
| Environment | Moderate | Severe | Very Severe |
| Top Side: Roof | Rain washing | Rain Washing | Not recommended |
| Top Side: Unwashed and High Risk Areas of Roof | Manual washing every 6 months | Manual washing every 3 months | Not recommended |
| Reverse Side: Awnings & Opensided Buildings | Manual washing every 6 months | Manual washing every 3 months | Not recommended |
Fixings
- Aluminium and factory painted fixings are acceptable
- Stainless steel, monel or other copper alloy fixings must not be used
- Lead-head nails must not be used
- Fixings that meet AS3566 class 3 and 4 are acceptable
Sealing & Joining
- Use only neutral-cure silicone rubber sealants
- Do not use abrasive cutting wheels
- Do not weld, braze or solder
Touch-up Paints
These paints should not be used, as air drying paints have different weathering characteristics to the COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel coating. For more information, see Installation: Touch-Up Paints.
Clean-up
All debris (particularly from roofing installation) must be removed from COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel product surfaces at the end of each day’s work. Take care not to damage the coating when removing sharp fixing debris. For more information, see Installation: Swarf Staining.
External Moisture
COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel roofs must be installed at a minimum of 3° or over the minimum pitch given for the profile by the profile manufacturer, whichever is greater. Factors likely to affect the resistance of COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel to external moisture include the quality of the installation, severity of the climate, roof configuration, material profile and design and execution of junctions between similar materials and other elements.
Handling & Storage
If COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products are to be stored for any time prior to forming or installation, they must be stored in dry, well ventilated conditions. Storage which allows water (including condensation) to be trapped between the sheets may damage the coating beyond repair. COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products must be handled carefully during transport, fabrication and fixing to avoid damaging the surface.
Warranty
When used for roofs in outbuildings in mild to moderate environments a 15 year warranty will apply.
New Zealand has a wide range of environmental conditions, from the harsh West Coast beaches, to the relative shelter of the Waikato farming region. New Zealand Steel Limited offers a range of coated steel products, that are suitable for most locations.
Mild to Moderate Inland
Characterised by:
- No obvious marine or industrial influences
- Typically more than 1000 meters from exposed coasts or more than 500 meters from industrial emissions.
Mild to Moderate Coastal
Characterised by:
- Little or no salt deposits
- The occasional smell of salt spray in the air.
- Typically starts 500 - 1000 meters from breaking surf such as is found on exposed coasts OR in the immediate vicinity of calm salt water such as estuaries.
Severe
Characterised by:
- Light salt deposits.
- A frequent smell of salt spray in the air.
- Typically starts 100 - 500 meters from breaking surf such as is found on exposed coasts.
- In the immediate vicinity of large expanses of calm salt water such as harbour foreshores.
This environment may be extended inland by prevailing winds and local conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What buildings is COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ suitable for use on?
At the moment COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available for roofing applications on all non-habitable buildings e.g. sheds and industrial buildings.
Can COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ be used on cladding?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is only suitable for roofing. Cladding, and all accessories (such as gutters, flashings) are available from the regular COLORSTEEL® product range.
Can the absorbent backer be supplied on ZINCALUME®?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is only available with prepainted COLORSTEEL® product.
Does fungus grow on the COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ backer?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ prepainted steel does not support fungal growth and is classified as a Class I material (a material that is extremely insensitive to fungus growth). It has been tested independently by TNO Bouw in the Netherlands.
Which colours is COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ product available in?
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is available in all top coat colours. The COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ fleece colour is grey, similar to the PERPETUAL GREY® backer of COLORSTEEL® ENDURA® and COLORSTEEL® MAXX®.
How does a roofer become an accredited COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ Installer?
Only accredited roofers can install COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+. Face-to-face training is available from New Zealand Steel. Please contact your rollformer for more information on how to complete this qualification.
Why does COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ have to be stored dry prior to installation?
The backer of COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ is made to absorb water in wet environments. If the product is close stacked, the fleece backer has no room to breathe and the water will not evaporate. A wet stack of sheets can have an impact on the performance of the painted product. Furthermore, on the day of the installation, when the sheets are prepared and the drip edge is melted back from the edge, the melt back process will take much longer and time savings may not be achievable for the roofer.
Can I store COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ outside prior to installation?
No. You should not expose COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ to the outside weather conditions prior to installation. The product is designed to absorb water, so if it absorbs water while stacked the moisture can’t evaporate, causing the product to become significantly heavier. Furthermore, on the day of the installation, when the sheets are prepared and the drip edge is melted back from the edge, the melt back process will take much longer and time savings may not be achievable for the roofer.
Does COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ absorb water from gutters?
No. Capillary action on overhangs is managed by removing the backer 3-6cm from the sheet edge during installation.
Colour Palette
COLORSTEEL® DRIDEX®+ comes in all the colours of the COLORSTEEL® palette. That palette features a blend of classic shades and on-trend tones designed to suit any style of building, in any part of the country.
The COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel colours shown on this site have been reproduced to represent actual product colours as accurately as possible. However, we recommend checking your chosen colour against an actual sample of the product before purchasing, as limitations of web palette colours affect colour tones - To order a steel sample contact us.
TSR: 23% LRV: 7%
TSR: 41% LRV: 27%
TSR: 56% LRV: 51%
TSR: 29% LRV: 11%
TSR: 36% LRV: 13%
TSR: 25% LRV: 11%
TSR: 31% LRV: 10%
TSR: 25% LRV: 11%
TSR: 27% LRV: 12%
TSR: 25% LRV: 8%
TSR: 40% LRV: 25%
TSR: 42% LRV: 27%
TSR: 25% LRV: 8%
TSR: 56% LRV: 49%
TSR: 27% LRV: 9%
TSR: 26% LRV: 10%
TSR: 69% LRV: 74%
TSR: 65% LRV: 70%
TSR: 7% LRV: 5%
TSR: 21% LRV: 7%
TSR: Total Solar Reflectance LRV: Light Reflectance Value G10: Low Gloss
Technical Info
Test. Test. And test again.
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