Understand Zinc For Your Next Project
The roof is one of the most critical components in protecting a building’s value and contents. A damaged or leaking roof can cause significant structural damage, property damage, and even health issues. In addition, repairing a damaged roof can be difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.
That is why it is imperative to use quality metal panels when designing and installing a roof system. Metal roofing installations will reduce the number of repairs and maintenance required in the future and maximize the metal roof’s life.
When it comes to longevity and flexibility, few materials can outperform zinc. Like other metals, it is incredibly durable, malleable, and attractive. Still, it is less prone to corrosion than steel, and it requires little maintenance.
A DURABLE SOLUTION – ZINC PANELS FOR ROOFING
A roof can be expensive and labor intensive to repair or replace, especially on larger and taller buildings. The goal is to substantially reduce the long-term costs of maintaining the materials by investing in high-quality, long-lasting, low maintenance materials from the start.
Asphalt shingles and built-up roofs, for example, should be replaced every 10 to 30 years. The materials will eventually break down due to heat, sun damage, natural expansion, and contraction. Steel and other metal metals can last for many decades. Although steel will eventually rust, materials like aluminum and copper roofing may be less cost effective compared to their expected lifespans.
A zinc roof, however, is naturally corrosion resistant, strong, and, when installed correctly, it can last for 50-100 years on commercial or residential roofs. Zinc panels’ durability and resilience are due to a natural chemical reaction in the presence of carbon dioxide.
When exposing the metal to the air, a thin protective coating of zinc hydroxyl carbonate forms and inhibits corrosion. It gives the metal self-healing properties when scratched. The patina protects the zinc from corrosion, significantly reducing steel and other metals’ lifespan, giving it a distinctive look in high demand.
CREATE BEAUTIFUL CURVES OR FORM SHAPES – SOFT ZINC
Most roofing materials, such as shingles or steel sheets, are designed to be installed on flat surfaces. They will not perform properly on curved or rounded roof structures. It can severely limit a building’s design, forcing it to use conventional construction techniques and denying it a unique appearance.
When installing a zinc roof, however, the design possibilities are far less limited. Zinc is an extremely malleable material, allowing it to be shaped or formed to fit around curves, angles, or other structural details. As a result, it is easy to create buildings with intricate rooflines, adding visual appeal with multiple layers, turns, and other architectural features.
EASY TO INSTALL AND COST EFFECTIVE – CHANGE THE WAY YOU ZINC
Zinc roofing is available in various pre-formed sheets and panels that can cover large areas fast. With the necessary hardware, the installation process is simple. As a result, the costs are significantly reduced by minimizing the amount of time and labor needed for construction.
Like asphalt shingles, rubber, or built-up roofs, many conventional roofing systems require significant preparation and labor to install. This added work significantly increases the project’s costs and time to completion and the risk of delays due to weather or other unforeseen events.
KEEPING IT STYLISH WITH COLOR AND STYLE – ZINC IT THROUGH
Zinc roof manufactures panels in several distinct shades. It gives a fresh, modern appearance and adds a distinguished, weathered look that mimics zinc’s natural aging process.
The traditional light gray finish highlights the original material’s shape and grain, preserving zinc’s natural charm and color. A medium-gray shade mimics the patina formed by age and the elements offering a distinct weathered look. In contrast, dark gray, nearly black, produces a deep multi-dimensional surface with a subtle shine that provides a perfect contrast to lighter materials.
Zinc roofing is available in several styles, from shingle-like diamond panels to long-standing seam panels. With optional surface textures and several ridge styles, it is a durable and versatile roofing solution. Zinc panels can be used for nearly any commercial, industrial or residential building. They are equally at home in both urban and rural areas.
THE POWER OF LIGHTWEIGHT – ZINC ADVANTAGES
Compared to steel or asphalt shingles, zinc, a popular roofing solution, is very agile for its strength and durability. The underlying roof structure can be lighter and less complex, reducing material and labor costs. It reduces the shipping cost and makes moving and handling the materials easier during installation, reducing worker fatigue and minimizing lift related injuries.
STAINABILITY IS THE NEW TREND – ZINC IS ALL YOU NEED
Materials like asphalt shingles are incredibly laborious to produce, using significant amounts of petroleum products. At the end of their usable life, they end up in a landfill more often than not. Not only does this waste energy, especially with its short lifespan, but it can also lead to significant amounts of pollution and environmental damage.
Like other metals, zinc is extremely recyclable. As zinc roofing reaches the end of its usable life, it can be discarded and taken to a recycling plant. Here it can be melted down and reprocessed into raw materials for other zinc-based items, including new roofing materials, batteries, plumbing fixtures, and guardrails.
The energy required to recycle zinc is only about a fifth of that required to mine and process new zinc deposits. And, recycling creates far less pollution than mining.
RUNOFF FROM A ZINC ROOF IS NON-TOXIC
Clean freshwater is a limited resource, and roofing materials like asphalt tend to leech potentially dangerous chemicals into the groundwater. Therefore, such roofs are not suitable for rainwater collection systems.
Most zinc roofing materials are safe for rainwater collection because they do not produce toxic runoff, making zinc an economical choice.
With a long lifespan, reduced maintenance, simple installation, and plenty of versatility, zinc roofing is an excellent choice for any building project, commercial or residential, rural or urban. It offers a unique appearance, with built-in corrosion and damage resistance. In addition, it is both sustainable and environmentally friendly when properly installed.