11 Things that Make Zinc Cladding a Great Choice for Your Building
Many commercial and industrial buildings, and an increasing number of residential buildings, use zinc cladding in their construction, whether it is for a roof surface, a building facade or for accessories such as trim, flashing or rainwater systems. Like other metal panels, zinc cladding offers strength and durability that outlasts lesser materials like roofing shingles, vinyl siding or wood trim, and it is costs less than other metals, making it a wise choice on jobs with smaller budgets.
Zinc cladding is available in a wide variety of styles, from simple standing seam panels for roofing, to complex, interlocking wall panels designed for building facades. It comes in a assortment of textures, finishes and colors, making it easy to find a style of zinc cladding that is perfect for any project.
Here are some of the most important features that zinc cladding has to offer:
#1 Inexpensive
Compared to copper and stainless steel, zinc cladding is very affordable, while still maintaining the durability and strength common to most metal wall panels. This allows you to meet strict budget requirements for your materials and still provide a strong and effective material that will last for many decades.
#2 Durable
Zinc cladding is very durable, especially compared to other materials, like steel, which can easily corrode, leading to premature failure. In urban environments, zinc panels can easily last for over 50 years from the installation date, and in rural environments, they can last over 100 years. Unlike other materials, zinc cladding requires no maintenance and using a natural chemical reaction, a patina forms that both protects the surface of the cladding and repairs any scratches or other minor imperfections.
#3 Easily Shaped
Zinc cladding is made from an alloy of zinc and either titanium or copper, which makes it very malleable. It can be made into panels of almost any shape, making it versatile for many types of architectural designs. Zinc cladding comes in an assortment of standing seam, flat or decorative panels for roofing applications, or a variety of flat, textured or composite panels for facade applications. It can also be used to create details like rainwater systems, trim, fascia or flashing.
#4 Resists Corrosion
When the zinc cladding is exposed to water, oxygen and carbon dioxide, a chemical reaction occurs that creates a protective patina of zinc hydroxycarbonate. This patina protects the metal and prevents corrosion, ensuring that the cladding lasts for many years. Any small blemishes, such as scrapes or scratches will quickly develop a new layer of patina, protecting the exposed metal.
#5 Quieter than Steel
Zinc panels are less rigid than equivalent panels made from steel or other metals. When hit by rain drops, hail or other objects, panels made from zinc will be much quieter than other materials, especially when combined with the appropriate insulation in the building’s structure. This makes the interior quieter and less distracting for workers in commercial or industrial buildings, and it makes residential buildings much more comfortable.
#6 Sustainable
Zinc cladding is made from natural materials that can easily be recycled when they are no longer needed. This helps to protect the environment and reduce a building’s carbon footprint. In addition, many zinc panels contain up to 22 percent recycled content, which helps to reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills, and helps to reduce the energy required to mine new materials.
#7 Aesthetically Pleasing
Zinc cladding comes in a variety of textures and colors, which can give your project a unique look, and it can also be shaped in to many forms to fit even the most unique architecture. Zinc itself can be used to reflect light and create interesting colors and shapes, depending on the surface. Integrated into a building, zinc panels can create may unique designs that will set your building apart from others.
#8 Works Well With Other Materials
Zinc cladding can be used to accent almost any other material such as wood, brick, cement, glass and stucco. Combined with these materials, any number of unique designs can be created. It is also chemically compatible with a number of other metals, including lead, galvanized steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. To prevent corrosion, however, it should not be combined with uncoated steel or copper.
#9 Waterproof
With its natural patina, zinc cladding is waterproof when installed correctly. In roof applications, standing seams, ridges and other elements are used to control the flow of water. In facade applications, overlaps and sealed interlocking systems help control the flow of water. Once installed, only corrosion or physical damage to the panels can introduce leaks.
#10 Fire Resistant
Like other metal panels, zinc cladding is resistant to damage from fire. This means that zinc cladding also helps to prevent the spread of fire to combustible materials. Unlike materials such as wood, vinyl or plastics, zinc panels can last through minor fires and will not catch on fire themselves. They act as a barrier between combustible materials to prevent fire from spreading.
#11 Available in a Variety of Styles
Zinc cladding is available in a variety of styles for both the exterior and the interior of a building. For roofs, there are standing seam, interlocking and decorative panels in a variety of colors and styles. For siding and exterior facades, there are a variety of flat or textured panels, interlocking or overlapping panels, and composite panels in many different colors, textures and styles. For the interior, several types of panels are available, with assorted textures, colors and shapes to fit any design.
With so many great features, zinc cladding can be a great addition to almost any project. It can be installed quickly and easily with a variety of mounting methods, depending on the type of cladding chosen, and it will last for decades with little or no maintenance at all. It can fit in with almost any architectural design, and it is very affordable compared to other metal panels.