Short answer. The best cut is the one you never make. Across the sheet the mill cuts it for you when we roll it to your size, and that is a factory edge. What you cut yourself is lengthwise and diagonal — and here an angle grinder with an abrasive disc is out of the question: the sparks burn off the zinc and the coating, and the edge starts rusting within a season. Tin snips, a nibbler and a fine-tooth blade all work.
What to cut with and what happens to the edge
| Tool | Edge | When it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasive disc on a grinder | 🔴 zinc and coating burnt several millimetres in, rust within a season | never |
| Tin snips | cold, coating intact | short cuts, flashings |
| Nibbler | cold, even | long and diagonal cuts, when there are many |
| Jigsaw with a metal blade | cold, needs care | shaped cuts, working around pipes |
| Fine-tooth blade at low speed | acceptable if the metal is not burnt | when nothing else is to hand |
| Metal-cutting circular saw | even and cold | large volumes, professional installation |
The difference is not neatness but temperature. An abrasive disc works by friction and heats the edge to temper colours — the zinc burns away, the polymer chars, and there is no protection left at that point. The cut looks fine, which is why the mistake is only noticed a year later.
How many cuts are actually needed
| Type of cut | Who makes it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Across the sheet, to length | the mill | the sheet is rolled to your size — the normal mode of the line |
| Along the sheet | you | the line cuts across only; ripping happens on site |
| Diagonal — gables, hips | you | the line does not cut on a diagonal |
| Openings for pipes and aerials | you | cut in place |
On a gable there are as many cuts as sheets, and that is where the choice of tool decides everything. On a simple roof or fence you may not need to cut at all.
What to do with the edge afterwards
A cut is bare steel, and even a cold cut leaves it uncoated. A thin layer of zinc from the adjacent area protects the edge to a degree by itself, but on visible edges the cut is better covered.
| Where the cut is | What covers it |
|---|---|
| Diagonal cut on a gable | barge board along the slope |
| Sheet end at the eaves | eaves flashing |
| Junction with a wall | abutment flashing |
| Opening for a pipe | a pipe boot or apron |
Touching up a cut with aerosol paint in the sheet colour is possible, but it is cosmetic: aerosol paint contains no zinc and works as temporary protection, not as a coating.
How to order
Step 1. Give exact lengths
The more precise your dimensions, the fewer cuts are left to you. Lengths to the slope or the wall height cost no extra.
Step 2. Say whether you need flashings
Barge, eaves and abutment flashings cover cut edges. Better ordered at the same time and in the same colour.
Step 3. Place the order
Call (067) 077-56-77, Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00. Production 1-2 days, delivery a further 1-5 days.
What we do not do
We do not rip sheets lengthwise or cut diagonals to order — the line cuts across only. We do not install and we do not visit sites.
FAQ
Why not a grinder, when everyone uses one? Because the consequence is not immediate. Rust along the cut line appears in a season or two, and it is not covered by warranty: it is coating damage during installation.
Can sheets be cut in a stack? No. Cut one sheet at a time on a flat support, otherwise the edge tears and the sheet distorts.
What cuts metal tile? The same tools, only it is harder: Classic has a transverse step, so you cut across the relief.
Do the filings damage the coating? Yes. Hot filings stick to the polymer and rust on it. Brush the sheet down with a soft brush right after cutting, not at the end of the day.
How long is the wait? Production 1-2 working days, delivery a further 1-5 days.