Lowest first cost
Galvanizing is lower in first cost than many other commonly specified protective coatings for steel. (The application cost of labour intensive coatings such as painting has risen far more than the cost of factory operations such as galvanizing.)
Less maintenance / Lowest long term cost
Even in cases where the initial cost of galvanizing is higher than alternative coatings, galvanizing is almost invariably cheapest in the long term (because it lasts longer and needs less maintenance).
Toughest coating
A galvanized coating has a unique metallurgical structure which gives outstanding resistance to mechanical damage in transport, erection and service.