Material

Zinc is a natural element and exists in air, soil, water and the biosphere. It is the primary component in a hot-dip galvanized coating. The silvery, blue-grey vital metal is abundant, essential, and common – and even more importantly infinitely recyclable.

Centuries before zinc was recognised as a distinct element, zinc ores were used for making brass (a mixture of copper and zinc). Zinc was rediscovered by Andreas Marggraf in 1746, Germany.

Zinc is used in the construction industry as an alloy. Typically, architectural grade zinc is 99.995% pure zinc with trace amounts of titanium, to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion and improve tensile strength and hardness. There are also trace amounts of copper to improve the metals work-ability.

Zinc has several features that make it a valuable asset for architectural cladding and commercial cladding. With a protective patina that provides corrosion resistance and durability, a zinc roof could last up to a century, even in harsher environments. The natural protective patina that zinc possesses also contains self-repairing properties, meaning scratches and other small imperfections on your roof will fix themselves. This allows you to save money on varnishes, protective coatings, and general roofing maintenance.

Copper is also a natural element. It is a soft, malleable and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Copper is one of the few metals that occurs in nature already in its useable metallic form.

Copper was known in ancient times with first discoveries dating back to 9000 BC. It was the first metal to be smelted from its ore to be cast into a shape using a mould and purposefully alloyed with another metal

In the construction industry, copper has earned a respected place. It has been used for centuries, from cathedrals to castles, from homes to offices and in various architectural elements, including roofs, gutters, wall cladding and building expansions joints.

Copper sheeting is in a very pure form at 99.9%. This contributes to the changes that will occur over time to the roofing or cladding. Sheets start off shiny and bright in a classic ‘copper’ hue. Over time, natural oxidation and exposure to the elements will result in a darker brown matt surface before the classic green copper patina develops. As the copper changes, you may see a range of browns and even purples. Once the green copper patina has developed the sheeting will have additional protection and longevity.