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Corrugated Iron Cladding and Roofing: How to Choose Size, Profile, Price and Design

A practical guide to corrugated steel roofing and wall cladding: profile dimensions, cover widths, pitch, spans, fixing requirements, quote checklists and design options.

By ThatPainter Team 18 October 2026
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Corrugated iron is the familiar name for a pierce-fixed, wavy metal sheet used on roofs and walls. Current products in Australia and New Zealand are generally steel, not iron. The right sheet is not chosen by a universal “corrugated iron size”: crest depth, wave spacing, effective cover, steel thickness, coating, sheet length, roof pitch, spans, wind zone and fixing system all come from the particular manufacturer and project.

For orientation, the New Zealand Metal Roof and Wall Cladding Code of Practice describes standard corrugate as 17.5 mm-deep crests at 76 mm spacing, while an Australian Stramit example is 16 mm high with a 762 mm cover width and 855 mm overall width. Those differences are why a meaningful quote must name the exact profile and use its current data sheet.

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What “corrugated iron” means today

“Corrugated iron” is a widely used building term, but the products covered by current Australian and New Zealand specifications are steel sheets formed into repeating waves. Corrugate is normally pierce fixed: screws pass through the sheet into purlins, battens or framing. It is used for roofing and wall cladding, in both traditional and contemporary buildings.

The wave improves stiffness compared with a flat sheet, but the wave geometry, steel grade, thickness, coating and fixing pattern determine the actual performance. A sheet that looks similar in a photograph can have a different cover width, allowable span or drainage capacity. Treat every quoted dimension as product-specific unless the manufacturer and market are named.

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The current NZ Metal Roof and Wall Cladding Code of Practice v26.09 says the designer must be familiar with the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. In Australia, the applicable provisions include NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 7.2, Sheet Roofing. Use the code and the selected manufacturer’s installation manual together.

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Corrugated roofing dimensions: what the numbers mean

Three measurements are easily confused:

  • Profile height or crest depth is the vertical distance from the trough to the top of a wave.
  • Spacing is the distance from one crest to the next.
  • Cover width (effective width) is the area covered after side laps. It is the figure used to calculate sheet quantities; overall sheet width also includes the material in the laps.

These are reference figures, not a universal standard.

Reference product or standard Profile height or crest depth Wave spacing Cover width Overall width Published pitch or options
NZMRM standard corrugate description 17.5 mm crest depth 76 mm Not stated as a single value Not stated Smaller and deeper alternatives exist; use the current code and product data
Stramit Australian corrugated example (August 2025 guide) 16 mm profile height Not stated in the cited figures 762 mm 855 mm 5° minimum recommended pitch for that product; 0.42, 0.48 and 0.60 mm BMT options are shown

The NZMRM description also notes that corrugate side overlap is slightly asymmetrical, creating a capillary barrier. That overlap must be assembled in the direction specified by the product instructions. Reversing a lap or calculating quantities from overall width instead of cover width can leave you short of material or compromise weathering.

Which profile should you choose?

Corrugated, trapezoidal and concealed-fix sheets are different systems, not interchangeable looks. Compare them on appearance, water-carrying capacity, allowable spans, minimum pitch, ability to follow curves, fixing method, wind-zone design, thickness and finish, plus the availability of matching flashings.

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Profile family Typical characteristics When it may suit Checks before ordering
Corrugated (pierce fixed) Closely spaced symmetrical waves; traditional appearance; can be more readily curved where the design and product permit Roofs, vertical walls, additions and curved or bullnose details using an approved product Cover width, crest spacing, traffic-load treatment, spans, pitch, side-lap direction and screw pattern
Trapezoidal (pierce fixed) Deeper, angular ribs; NZMRM says these profiles can provide greater water-carrying capacity and greater spanning capability than corrugate Longer spans or sites where drainage capacity is a priority Engineering span tables, rib geometry, flashings, wind loads and the manufacturer’s pitch limits
Concealed-fix tray or trough Secret-fix clips or tabs hide the fasteners and create a different visual line Projects seeking an uninterrupted surface and a system designed around concealed fixing Clip layout, movement allowance, substrate, end laps and compatible accessories; do not substitute corrugated screws

Corrugate’s close waves can carry less water than some trapezoidal profiles, and roof traffic loads need to be spread across crests rather than concentrated on a single wave. The profile that looks right may therefore be unsuitable for a low-slope, high-flow or long-span roof.

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How to specify the sheet

Material thickness, grade and finish

Thickness is usually given as BMT (base-metal thickness). In its August 2025 Australian guide, Stramit lists 0.42, 0.48 and 0.60 mm BMT corrugated options. Those are that manufacturer’s listed choices, not a market-wide range. A thicker sheet can change weight, handling, span capability and cost; steel grade and coating or paint finish affect durability and appearance. Have the supplier state the grade, coating system, colour or paint finish and any region-specific availability on the quote.

Length, laps and quantity

Measure each roof plane or wall elevation, then account for ridge, eave, gable, valley and penetration details. Longer sheets can reduce end laps, but transport, lifting and access may limit practical lengths. Order by effective cover width, include the manufacturer’s required side and end laps, and allow waste for cuts, hips, valleys and openings. A supplier should confirm the sheet length and quantity rather than relying on a generic calculator.

Pitch and drainage

Do not publish or rely on one universal minimum pitch. The Stramit example recommends 5° minimum for its named Australian corrugated product. Another profile, lap arrangement, rainfall exposure or penetration detail may require something different. Check the current product manual, the applicable building code, drainage design and local approval requirements. The Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ) guide provides general New Zealand installation guidance and says suitability must be confirmed for the project.

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Wind, spans and curved work

Allowable spans and fixing patterns depend on wind zone, support spacing, steel properties, building geometry and edge zones. Corrugated sheets in a symmetrical profile can be suitable for curved applications, but the radius, spring-back, sheet length and fixing method must be confirmed by the manufacturer or project designer. Never transfer a span table or screw spacing from one profile to another.

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Can corrugated cladding be used on walls?

Yes. Corrugated steel is used as vertical wall cladding as well as roofing. It may be installed over cavity battens or directly to a suitable substrate, depending on the wall build-up and the system’s approval. Vertical orientation usually presents the corrugations as narrow shadow lines; carrying the same finish from a roof onto an addition can visually unify old and new work.

Wall use still requires a complete weatherproofing design. Confirm the cavity or direct-fix build-up, ventilation and drainage path, corner and base flashings, window and door trims, penetrations, corrosion environment and compatible fasteners. A roofing sheet is not automatically approved for every wall substrate, and a wall sheet is not automatically suitable for a roof.

As one New Zealand example, Stratco’s guidance specifies Class 4 Type 17 screws with neoprene washers for its described CGI applications and gives different screw lengths for roofing, cavity-batten wall cladding and direct-fixed wall cladding. Its associated fixing patterns are product-specific. Use the exact screw class, length, washer, location and spacing stated for your selected system; do not treat that example as a universal schedule.

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Installation sequence: from design to fixing

  1. Identify the jurisdiction and exposure. Record whether the project is in Australia or New Zealand, the relevant code edition, wind zone, rainfall or drainage conditions and any consent requirements.
  2. Name the product. Put the manufacturer, profile, BMT, coating or paint finish, effective cover, sheet length and intended roof or wall use on the drawings and quote.
  3. Check support and spans. Confirm purlin, rafter or batten spacing against the product’s span tables and design loads. Include edge and corner zones where wind actions are higher.
  4. Set the pitch and drainage. Verify the manufacturer’s minimum pitch, valley capacity, gutter arrangement, end laps and penetration details. A 5° figure applies only to the cited Stramit product, not every corrugated sheet.
  5. Detail laps and flashings. Follow the specified asymmetrical side overlap, then list ridges, barges, valleys, apron flashings, box gutters, closures and trims. Make sure accessories are made for the same profile.
  6. Choose fasteners. Match screw type, corrosion class, length, washer and substrate. Pre-drilling, oversize holes for movement or stitch screws must follow the product manual; do not substitute a generic roofing screw.
  7. Install without damaging the waves. Keep sheets supported during handling, place screws in the prescribed crest or trough locations, and avoid over-tightening neoprene washers. Use spreader boards or other approved load-spreading measures for roof traffic.
  8. Inspect before handover. Check laps, exposed cut edges, flashings, penetrations, gutters, screw seating, swarf removal and coating damage. Record the product data, installation date and maintenance or warranty information supplied by the manufacturer.
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How much does corrugated iron roofing cost?

There is no defensible national installed price per square metre in the cited authoritative material. Material-only pricing and a completed reroof are different scopes, and a low material rate can become an expensive project when access, flashings or repairs are excluded. Region, profile, BMT, finish, sheet length, roof geometry, pitch, valleys and hips, underlay, gutters, fasteners, delivery, labour, scaffolding, removal and disposal all affect the total.

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Request dated, itemised local quotes and compare identical inclusions. The NZ Calculator roofing guide can help organise area and sheet calculations, but it does not replace a site measure or the selected manufacturer’s quantities.

Quote line What to require
Sheeting Named manufacturer and profile, BMT, steel grade, coating or paint finish, colour, sheet lengths, effective cover, quantity and waste allowance
Weathering accessories Ridges, barges, valleys, eaves, penetrations, closures, corners, bases and window or door flashings, all matched to the profile
Substrate and layers Underlay, cavity battens or direct-fix substrate, framing or purlin repairs, insulation interfaces and any removal of existing cladding
Fixings Screw class and coating, lengths, washers, stitch screws, clips where applicable and the fixing pattern
Site costs Delivery, crane or lifting, access, scaffolding, labour, disposal, taxes and protection of adjacent finishes
Commercial terms Programme, exclusions, assumptions, product warranty information and who is responsible for design, approvals and variations

Ask the contractor to identify any suspected framing, drainage or substrate repairs before the price is accepted. A quote that simply says “corrugated roof per square metre” cannot show whether two offers are genuinely comparable.

Corrugated cladding and roofing ideas

Vertical walls with a restrained palette

Vertical corrugations can give a small extension a fine-grained texture without adding a second pattern. Pair a muted painted finish with timber, masonry or dark window frames, and use carefully aligned corner trims so the waves continue cleanly around openings.

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One finish across roof and addition

Using the same approved profile and finish on a roof and an attached wall can make an addition read as one volume. Confirm that the selected product is approved for both orientations and that roof-to-wall junctions, eaves and base flashings are detailed separately.

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Curved or bullnose edges

Corrugate can be more readily curved than some profiles because of its symmetrical wave, making it a candidate for a bullnose porch, canopy or rounded transition. The allowable radius, spring-back, sheet length, support spacing and fixing method are design constraints, not just aesthetic choices.

Contrast used for wayfinding

A single corrugated accent wall against lighter masonry or glazing can mark an entry or service zone. Keep the number of colours limited, and coordinate the roof finish, wall finish, flashings and gutters so differences in gloss and weathering are intentional.

These ideas show possible design directions, not proof of technical compatibility. Confirm the profile, finish, flashings, substrate and approvals with the manufacturer and project designer before ordering.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Calling every sheet “iron” and assuming identical steel properties.
  • Using overall width instead of effective cover width when calculating quantities.
  • Applying a 5° minimum pitch to a product other than the Stramit example that publishes it.
  • Copying screw lengths, spans or fixing patterns from another manufacturer, country or profile.
  • Choosing a trapezoidal or concealed-fix system because of appearance without checking drainage, spans, clips and flashings.
  • Leaving valleys, penetrations, gutters, access and disposal out of the quote.
  • Walking directly on unsupported crests or concentrating loads on one wave.
  • Ordering before confirming the current code, local wind design, substrate and approval pathway.

A reliable decision is therefore a named product matched to the building’s pitch, drainage, spans, wind exposure, substrate, finish and detailing—not a generic corrugated-iron dimension or headline price.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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