Researching your farm shed cladding options? Weighing up whether to choose Zincalume or galvanised farm shed cladding? Is Colorbond cladding worth the extra cost?
There are several cladding options available for farm shed projects, ranging from different profiles such as Trimclad to different coatings such as Colorbond.
So, there are a few decisions to make!
Often this choice is made easier if you have existing infrastructure to match in with. Or you may have a personal preference or a budget.
However, other times there may be factors like council requirements and corrosion protection that you need to consider.

So, in this article we discuss the three most common products – Colorbond, Zinclalume and galvanised farm shed cladding – and provide an overview of each one and when they are a good choice.
Read on to learn about the advantages, disadvantages and price guides of each cladding type.
What Are Your Farm Shed Cladding Options?
As we have just mentioned, there are two main details to consider when selecting your farm shed cladding:
- The cladding profile
- The cladding coating
The two cladding profiles for farm sheds are Trimclad and the traditional corrugated iron profile.
You can learn all about these here – Which Farm Shed Cladding Should I Choose?
Jason and Lennie also discuss this topic in the video below.
The three most popular coating options for farm shed cladding are Colorbond, Zincalume and galvanised coatings. And that’s exactly what we discuss in this article.
So, read on to find out the details to keep in mind when making your decision to help you make the right choice.
You will find handy price guides and project inspiration too.
First up, let’s take a look at Colorbond cladding.
What is Colorbond Farm Shed Cladding?
As the name suggests, Colorbond cladding is wall and roof cladding manufactured from Colorbond steel.
Advantages Of Colorbond Cladding
- Coated in corrosion-resistant Activate technology followed by a pre-treatment primer and a baked-on topcoat. You can learn about the five layers of protection here.
- Available in more than 20 different colours for you to customise your shed build and meet any applicable council requirements for aesthetics and visual appeal.
- Easy care and low maintenance.

So, when should you use Colorbond cladding?
There are several instances where Colorbond cladding is a good choice for your farm shed.
Firstly, the main reason farmers will choose Colorbond cladding is to match in with existing Colorbond sheds or tanks. Or simply because they like the colour, or it ties in well with their brand.
Aesthetics and appearance can also be considered for council permits, particularly for sites near dwellings or with certain overlays.
For example, to receive council approval for your shed, you may be required to choose a Colorbond cladding that matches in with the natural surroundings. Common Colorbond colours for this include Pale Eucalypt or Basalt.
If you aren’t sure whether your farm shed will trigger this requirement for permits, our building consultants can provide project-specific advice.
Finally, Colorbond cladding is an excellent way to provide another layer of corrosion protection for your farm shed. This is why Colorbond cladding is a good option for farm sheds in coastal areas – and is why Colorbond cladding is often used for projects such as dairy sheds and loafing barns.
That’s not to say Colorbond cladding is always the right choice though.
Disadvantages of Colorbond Cladding
The main disadvantage or downside to choosing Colorbond cladding is the price. Colorbond cladding is typically the most expensive cladding option for farm sheds.
So, if you are working to a budget and aren’t trying to match in with any other sheds or meet council requirements – then it might pay to consider other cladding options.
Curious to know how much Colorbond cladding actually costs? How does it compare price-wise to zinc cladding or galvanised farm shed cladding?
Next up is a handy price guide.
How Much Does Colorbond Cladding Cost?
As a general guide, Colorbond cladding for your farm shed will cost between $20 per square metre and $28 per square metre, including GST.
The price usually depends on factors like the steel supplier such as Metroll or Striproll, current steel market prices and the location of your project.
You can learn about steel prices in 2025, here – What Will 2025 Steel Prices Do?
What Is Zincalume Cladding?
Zincalume cladding (more commonly known as zinc cladding) is a combination of aluminium, zinc and silicon – and is the most popular option for farm shed cladding.

Advantages Of Zincalume Cladding
- The activated aluminium coating on Zincalume® makes it tough and highly resistant to scratches during transport and installation and in weather conditions such as hail.
- Easy care and minimal maintenance are required.
- The most cost-effective option for farm shed cladding
As a result, zinc cladding is a great choice for most farm shed projects – and the majority of Action farm sheds have zinc cladding.
Disadvantages Of Zincalume Cladding
The main disadvantage of Zincalume® can be its appearance. The shiny aluminium aesthetics of Zincalume® will often mean that it is not compatible with overlays on a property e.g. nearby airport.
The other instance where zinc cladding may not be the best choice is if you want to provide the best possible corrosion protection.
How Much Does Zincalume Cladding Cost?
As a general guide, zinc cladding for farm sheds typically costs between $13 per square metre and $20 per square metre including GST.
What Is Galvanised Farm Shed Cladding?
Galvanised cladding is a cladding iron that has been hot dip galvanised before being rolled.
The steel is cleaned and then dipped in a bath of molten zinc to provide extra corrosion protection.
This is the same process that the columns and trusses of an Action shed go through after they have been manufactured.
You can learn about the hot dip galvanising process for our farm sheds in the video below.
Advantages Of Galvanised Cladding
The main benefit of choosing galvanised farm shed cladding is the additional corrosion protection it provides.
As a result, it can be a good choice for corrosive environments such as dairies or coastal areas.
Disadvantages Of Galvanised Cladding
- Not the most cost-effective cladding option and – depending on the supplier – the cost can often be on par with the cost of Colorbond.
- Can have a shiny appearance and reflect sunlight.
There are several instances where galvanised farm shed cladding may not be the best option.
Firstly, if your shed is near an airport the council may request you choose an anti-glare cladding option such as Colorbond.
And, if you are thinking of choosing galvanised cladding for the additional corrosion protection, it may be a good idea to get a quote for Colorbond cladding for comparison.
How Much Does Galvanised Farm Shed Cladding Cost?
As a general guide, the price of galvanised farm shed cladding can range from $18 per square metre to $25 per square metre, including GST.
Again, it is worth nothing that the price of cladding does depend on steel suppliers, market prices and your project location.
The Verdict – Should You Choose Colorbond, Zinc Or Galvanised Farm Shed Cladding?
Let’s recap what we have discussed.
Firstly, while Colorbond cladding is often the most expensive option it is a good choice for providing extra corrosion protection and matching in with other Colorbond sheds. It may also be a council requirement, depending on the shed location.
Secondly, zinc cladding is the go-to choice for farm sheds – and for good reason too. It is cost-effective and has a quality finish.
Finally, galvanised cladding is another option if you are looking to increase corrosion protection – just keep in mind that it can look a bit shiny, which may not be the look you are going for.
So, with those points in mind, the best cladding for your farm shed will depend on a number of factors.
We recommend you ask these questions before making your decision:
- What is my project budget?
- Is there any existing infrastructure I want my shed to match with?
- Will any council requirements dictate what the cladding needs to be?
- Do I require my shed to have extra corrosion protection?
- What is my personal preference?
Ultimately, the best cladding coating for your farm shed will depend on how you answer these questions.
We hope this article has been a helpful discussion! We have also listed some additional resources that might be relevant to your project planning.
Useful Resources
- How To Budget For Your New Farm Shed
- 5 Smart Concrete Slab Ideas For Your Farm Shed
- What Is The Best Height For My Farm Shed?
- A Guide To 2025 Farm Shed Prices
- Your Top Farm Shed Questions, Answered
- 2025 Farm Shed Guide (PDF Download)
Have more questions about Colorbond, Zinc or Galvanised farm shed cladding? Need pricing for your farm shed project? We would love to hear from you! Call us on 1800 687 888 or submit a REQUEST A QUOTE form and we will be in touch.