Expert Fence Supplies, Trusted Solutions
(800) 427-0882
Call Us Mon-Fri, 6:30am – 5pm
Expert Fence Supplies, Trusted Solutions
Call Us Mon-Fri, 6:30am – 5pm
Australia's Most Trusted Fencing System — Now Available in the USA
Colorbond® Steel is Australia’s most-trusted fencing material — battle-tested across scorching heat, torrential rain, coastal salt, and high winds for over half a century. Now available in the United States through Fence Specialties, this is full-privacy, fire-safe fencing with a sleek, modern look that elevates any property.
Colorbond® Steel is a pre-painted, G550 high-tensile steel fencing system engineered to deliver complete privacy, genuine fire resistance, and long-term structural performance with minimal maintenance. The system uses a channel post and rail structure with overlapping infill sheet panels — creating a solid, seamless fence face with no visible fasteners on the exterior surface.
Every component — from the post caps to the gate stiles — is part of a purpose-engineered system. Infill panels are secured with Tek screws to top and bottom rails, with gate assemblies featuring integrated premium vertical U-channel stile construction for rigidity and clean aesthetics.
Colorbond® Steel can be configured in standard panels-with-gates, panels-with-slat-toppers for adjustable privacy, and finished with optional under-fence aluminum base panels to close ground-level gaps on uneven terrain.
This is the choice for homeowners, architects, and contractors who want fire-safe steel fencing that looks like it belongs on a premium property — not an industrial site.
Colorbond® Steel’s durability starts at the manufacturing level. Every sheet is built up through five sequential layers — each serving a specific protective function:
1. Steel Base
— Manufactured to Australian Standards AS1397 and AS/NZS 2728 — ensuring strict adherence to the required grade and tensile strength before any coating is applied.
2. Metallic Coating
— The steel base is coated with BlueScope’s industry-leading metallic coating system, providing enhanced corrosion resistance across the full surface of the sheet.
3. Pretreatment Layer
— A thin pretreatment layer is applied to optimize the adhesion of all subsequent coatings — ensuring each upper layer bonds properly and performs as intended over time.
4. Corrosion Inhibitive Primer
— A corrosion-inhibitive primer is baked onto the pretreated surface, providing an additional barrier against moisture intrusion and oxidation.
5. Exterior Grade Topcoat
— A specially developed exterior grade paint topcoat is baked on — providing resistance to chipping, flaking, and blistering while ensuring the color finish retains its appearance for the long term.
Each layer in the Colorbond® coating system serves a different protective role. The combination of metallic corrosion resistance, chemical primer adhesion, and baked-on topcoat durability is what allows Colorbond® Steel to maintain its performance and appearance in coastal, desert, fire-prone, and high-humidity environments — often for decades without refinishing.
Colorbond® Steel’s fire resistance is supported by independent scientific research — not just product specifications. The Co-operative Research Centre for Bushfire (Bushfire CRC) and CSIRO conducted a formal study on residential boundary fencing performance in bushfire conditions, testing at the NSW Rural Fire Service Experimental Testing Site — believed at the time to be the only bushfire simulator in the world.
Three escalating fire exposure levels were tested:
| Level of Exposure Tested | Test Description | Result for Colorbond® |
| Litter Ignited | Leaf litter placed on fence rails and around fence posts, then ignited | No structural failure |
| Litter Ignited + Pre-Radiation | Typical of an advancing bushfire with pre-radiation but without direct flame contact | No structural failure |
| Simulation of Structural Fire | Full continuous flame immersion for 30 minutes — simulating worst-case adjacent house fire | No structural failure |
Colorbond® Steel is used in the most extreme bushfire classification in Australia — BAL-FZ (Bushfire Attack Level — Flame Zone) as defined in AS 3959:2018.
In the context of U.S. fire codes, Colorbond® Steel’s performance characteristics align with NFPA Class A fire resistance requirements — including non-combustibility, fire spread resistance, and low thermal conductivity. In many fire-prone jurisdictions across California and the Western United States, Class A rated fencing materials are required or strongly recommended.
Colorbond® Steel has been tested to handle challenging wind conditions across a range of wind classifications. Wind performance is determined by four site-specific factors — all of which are considered when specifying Colorbond® Steel for a given project:
A — Wind Region
Based on geographic location — ranging from normal conditions (Region A) through intermediate (Region B), tropical cyclone (Region C), and severe tropical cyclone (Region D) classifications.
B — Terrain Category
The surface roughness of the surrounding area relative to the building site — from very open, exposed flat terrain (Category 1) to closely spaced suburban environments (Category 3).
C — Shielding Factor
The degree of shielding provided by surrounding structures, trees, or large objects — from full shielding (housing surrounding the home) to no shielding (no permanent obstructions).
D — Topography
The effect of site topography on wind behavior — including the amplifying effect of hillside or ridge-top positions that increase effective wind loading on the fence structure.
These four factors combine to determine the appropriate wind classification for a specific site — ensuring the fence is specified to perform structurally under the actual conditions it will face. Consult with our team for site-specific wind classification guidance.
Colorbond® Steel is available in three distinct infill sheet profiles, each delivering a different visual texture and design character:
Chevron Panel
Zigzag Profile — A dynamic, angular infill pattern that creates visual depth and movement. The Chevron panel suits contemporary and architecturally expressive residential designs. Infill sheet: 27-gauge steel (nominal).
Vertiline Panel
Trapezoidal Rib Profile — A classic vertical ribbed profile that offers a clean, structured appearance. The Vertiline panel suits both traditional and modern residential properties. Infill sheet: 27-gauge steel (nominal).
Linear Panel
Premium Ribbed Profile — A refined, smooth-ribbed surface with a premium architectural presence. The Linear panel suits high-design residential and commercial applications. Infill sheet: 27-gauge steel (nominal).
| Panel Widths | 93″ and 123″ (adjustable via infill panel overlap) |
| Gate Widths | 35 1/2″ |
| Panel Heights | Range of heights available — 6′ is most common for residential |
| Slat Topper Height | 10″ high (above base fence height) |
| Infill Sheet Gauge | 27-gauge steel (nominal) across all three profiles |
| Post System | 3.5″ x 1.5″ channel post with post cap |
| Rail System | 2.5″ x 2.25″ top and bottom rail |
| Gate Hardware | Heavy-duty (H.D.) gate posts with fence posts for gate body; D&D lock latch; D&D hinges |
| Gate Frame | Structural gate frame with 1-3/8″ top and bottom rail; 3 infill sheets per panel |
| Foundation | 12″ x 24″ concrete footing for gate posts |
Colorbond® Steel colors are designed to reflect the natural landscape — and can be matched to complement or contrast with rooflines, gutters, fascias, and exterior finishes. Options include neutrals that closely approximate the appearance of traditional vinyl fencing.
| Surfmist® | Warm off-white — versatile neutral, approximates white vinyl fence appearance |
| Domain® | Muted gold-yellow — warm, approachable, natural landscape tone |
| Paperbark® | Warm medium tan — earthy and versatile |
| Shale Grey™ | Medium grey with green undertone — soft and contemporary |
| Evening Haze® | Soft sage green — subtle and natural |
| Dune® | Warm sandy taupe — earthy, widely applicable |
| Riversand® | Warm medium brown — rich natural tone |
| Bluegum® | Blue-grey — cool, modern, architectural |
| Basalt® | Dark cool grey — sophisticated and neutral |
| Ironstone® | Deep blue-grey — bold and contemporary |
| Woodland Grey® | Deep forest green-grey — modern and natural |
| Pale Eucalypt® | Muted olive green — understated and natural |
| Wilderness® | Deep olive green — rich and architectural |
| Wollemi® | Near-black dark green — bold, premium feel |
| Monument® | Near-black charcoal — the most architectural and modern option |
Tip: Achieve a consistent look by matching rails and panels to the same color, or create contrast by framing infill panels with a different-colored channel post and rail.
Colorbond® Steel fencing systems are designed for flexible installation on sites with level or uneven ground:
Ideal for sites with continuous slopes. The infill sheets are precision-cut to match the gradient of the terrain, while the top and bottom rails follow the same slope. The result is a seamless, flowing fence that mirrors the natural contour of the land without stepped transitions.
For sites with moderate slope variations, fence panels maintain a horizontal level alignment while the overall run steps up or down at each post. Each panel maintains a clean, level top and bottom — creating a structured, formal appearance that works well in landscape-designed gardens and subdivisions.
Used where a fence run terminates at a lower height — such as along a driveway, path, or entry. The top of the infill panels is precision-cut to the desired taper angle while the bottom edge remains level. Matching angled top rails complete the look for a refined, architectural finish.
Available resources for this product category:
Colorbond® Steel Fences & Gates Brochure — Full product overview, panel profiles, installation types, and color swatches (PDF)
Colorbond® Steel Fence Design & Layout Planner — Profile selector, style selector, and color selector reference (PDF)
Colorbond® Steel Fencing Site Plan — Grid-based site plan worksheet (PDF)
Privacy Steel Fence Product Overview — Fire testing data, five-layer coating detail, wind classification, and NFPA Class A alignment (PDF)
Talk to the Fence Specialties team about your project — we’ll help you select the right profile, color, and configuration for your site.
