Galvanised

Galvanising is what stops steel fencing rusting away, and it is the single biggest factor in how long a fence lasts outdoors. Zinc corrodes in preference to the steel underneath, so the coating protects the metal even where it gets scratched.

Hot-dip vs pre-galvanised

The distinction matters more than most specifications acknowledge:

• Hot-dip galvanised — the finished component is dipped in molten zinc after it is cut, drilled and welded. Every surface gets coated, including cut ends, drilled holes and weld seams.
• Pre-galvanised — the steel is coated as flat sheet, then cut and formed. Cheaper, but every cut edge and drilled hole is left as bare steel, and that is where rust starts.

For anything going into the ground or staying out in the weather for decades, hot-dip is the one worth paying for.

What it looks like

Fresh galvanising is bright and spangled. Over the first year or two it dulls to a matt grey as the surface weathers — this is normal and not a fault. If a uniform colour matters, powder coating over the galvanising is the answer.

Repairs

Cutting or drilling galvanised steel on site exposes bare metal. Zinc-rich paint on the cut restores most of the protection and is worth keeping in the van on any install where posts get trimmed to height.