At the beginning of the 19th century when zinc first started to be used as a roofing material many of the concerns that exist in 2024 were already being considered. Is the roof going to look attractive, how long will it last, is it readily available and who can install it correctly?
Whilst natural mill finish zinc is still widely used, especially on the roof tops of Paris, designers now have a wide range of pre-weathered zinc finishes to choose from and the reduction in acid rain means that the life expectancy of an average zinc roof has gone up to 100 years and with very little maintenance. With VMZINC being produced in France and stocked in the UK and Ireland, material availability is rarely a problem.
Obviously an attractive long lasting zinc roof or facade requires good design. It is for this we reason we offer project by project designer support which includes a wide range of technical drawings as well as BIM files. Good installation is also absolutely vital as most zinc systems are not simply kits that are assembled on site but rather bespoke pieces made by a skilled hard metal contractor for the project in question. It is for this reason that VMZINC created the VMZINC@WORK partnership over 10 years ago. This program brings together VMZINC with some of the best hard metal contractors in the UK and Ireland thus transforming an architect’s design into an attractive VMZINC roof or facade with a 50 year warranty.
VMZINC is not only used on Stirling prize winning projects such as the John Morden Centre by Mae Architects and Niall McLaughlin’s Magdalene College Library but also on projects such as the facade of Sheppard Robson’s Farringdon Road project in London and Sudio Gedye’s Destination Longshaw in the Peak District.
Furthermore Broof(t4) fire tests show no flame spread or penetration. All this with a minimal maintenance regime that non painted zinc offers.
If you would like further information including samples or an online or office based RIBA accredited CPD please do not hesitate to contact us.