-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 E+GV1XZ3dHyxZuFAp8bswn20S1R9rU4zK5aUEU9JrlvH8eIFvqRepsD6hkOmN7Fo
 WdIz/mtQLx4q9Ux8u6Gamg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001219870-03-000095.txt : 20030613
<SEC-HEADER>0001219870-03-000095.hdr.sgml : 20030613
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030613111945
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001219870-03-000095
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030612
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030613

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GIBRALTAR STEEL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912562
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING & FINISHING MILLS [3310]
		IRS NUMBER:				161445150
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3556 LAKE SHORE ROAD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 2028
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14219-0228
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7168266500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GATEWAY EXECUTIVE PARK
		STREET 2:		3556 LAKE SHORE ROAD PO BOX 2028
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14219-0228

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIPKE MEREDITH A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000942078

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22462
		FILM NUMBER:		03743106

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O V ASSOCIATES LTD
		STREET 2:		75 WLMVIEW
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14075
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7163120601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3556 LAKE SHORE RD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 2028
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14219-0228
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-12</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912562</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GIBRALTAR STEEL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>Rock</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000942078</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LIPKE MEREDITH A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-12</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>1000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>20</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>750656</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>Trust</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-12</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>198</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>20</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>129365.6</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>Rush Creek Investment Co., LP</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Option to buy</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>21.75</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F11"/>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1998-07-08</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2007-07-08</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>0</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2500</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Option to buy</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>15.625</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F11"/>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1999-10-08</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2008-10-08</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>0</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2500</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Option to buy</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>14.07</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F11"/>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2001-07-18</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2010-07-18</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>0</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2500</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Sale of securities pursuant to a pre-arranged stock trading plan established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents shares held by a trust for the benefit of reporting person, of which she serves as one of three trustees and shares voting and investment power.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents reporting person's pecuniary interest in shares of Gibraltar Steel Corportion common stock held by Rush Creek Investment Co., LP. The reporting person disclaims beneficial interest in such shares, except to the extent of his beneficial interest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">7,105 shares of common stock held directly.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">5,325 common shares held by reporting person's daughter under UGMANY.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">5,605 common shares held by trust for the benefit of reporting person's daughter of which trust the reporting person serves as one of four trustees and shares voting and investment power.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">29,080 common shares held by trust for the benefit of reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">30,000 common shares held by trust for the benefit of reporting person of which trust she serves as one of five trustees and shares voting and investment power.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">60,880 common shares held by trust for the benefit of an insider of Gibraltar Steel Corporation of which trust reporting person serves as one of five trustees and shares voting and investment power and as to which shares she disclaims beneficial ownership.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">625.72 shares held in Gibraltar Steel Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan f/b/o reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Dummy date used to report holdings only.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Grant to reporting person of option to buy shares of common stock under the Gibraltar Steel Corporation Non-qualified Stock Option Plan. Options are exercisable at the rate of 25% per year.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">Grant to reporting person of option to buy shares of common stock under the Gibraltar Steel Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan. The options are exercisable at the rate of 25% per year.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Meredith A. Lipke</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----