16/04/2025
WHAT EXACTLY IS MABATI GAUGE?
You might have come across the term "Gauge" or "Gej" when shopping for Mabati (Iron Sheets) and wondered what exactly is this and what does it stand for?.
Let me simply put it this way, gauge is a measurement that indicates the thickness of a mabati sheet, this is usually measured in millimeters (mm) using a micrometer screw gauge.
Funny enough is that as the gauge number increases, the material thickness and strength decreases. Unlike standard measurements where a higher number means greater thickness, iron sheet gauges work in reverse thus the lower the gauge number, the thicker the iron sheets. For example: 26-gauge is thicker and stronger than 32-gauge mabati.
The relationship between Gauge and thickness is defined in the East Africa standard for steel, not just roofing sheets.
Here's a breakdown of Mabati Gauges available in the Kenyan market and their purposes.
1. Gauge 32
- 0.2 mm thick
- For fencing and hoarding NOT FOR ROOFING
2. Gauge 30
- 0.25 mm thick
- Suitable for roofing small 'unimportant' structures such as cow sheds etc..
3. Gauge 28
- 0.32 mm thick
- Proper for residential building roofing
4. Gauge 26
- 0.4 mm
- Suitable for industrial and commercial structures such as warehouses, godowns, churches etc..
5. Gauge 24
- 0.5 mm thick
- Suitable for very important structures such as aircraft hangars, stadiums and military installations.
Gauges 28 and 30 are recommended for residential houses. Gauge 32 is too light and tends to wobble ("bondeka") when fundi steps over them during installation. Although minor, these differences make a notable impact in your mabati installation process and most importantly during the time you live under a given roof.
Having said that, it's up to you to choose what size to use in your projects. It's a free world after all, but it's harmless to point out that the lower the gauge size, the more likely you are to enjoy the benefits of durable mabati sheets.
From: Boss Yator uko Twitter ama X
