Architectural zinc

Zinc.
Built to Last.

Explore architectural zinc from leading European mills, backed by the expertise to help you compare finishes, systems and applications with confidence.

Explore zinc options Get design assistance

Sourced from VMZinc · NedZink · elZinc

The sweeping curved zinc facade of Northglenn City Hall, custom trapezoidal flat lock panels following the radius with low sun raking across the seams above a ribbon window band.
Northglenn City Hall · AndersonMasonDale Architects, P.C. · Bighorn Metalworks Inc · ATAS

What zinc gives you

Built-In Performance

  1. Self-renewing surface

    Zinc develops a protective patina as it weathers. Minor scratches gradually blend back into the surface as the patina continues to form.

  2. Less maintenance

    Architectural zinc requires minimal routine maintenance, helping reduce upkeep over its long service life.

  3. Freedom to form

    Zinc can be folded, curved and fabricated into a wide range of profiles and details, giving architects greater freedom across roofs and facades.

  4. Long service life

    Properly designed zinc roofs and facades can deliver service lives measured in decades, even in demanding exterior environments.

Finishes, by look

Ten finishes. Three mills. One spectrum.

Every zinc finish WAS supplies, ordered light to dark. Compare tones side by side instead of brand by brand, with the mill each finish comes from labeled beneath it.

  • VMZincAzengar
  • NedZinkNaturel
  • VMZincPro-Zinc
  • elZincSlate
  • VMZincQuartz-Zinc
  • NedZinkNova
  • NedZinkNeo
  • elZincGraphite
  • VMZincAnthra-Zinc
  • NedZinkNoir

And in colour

  • Red
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Brown

Every swatch above is an approximation. Zinc’s finish develops with exposure and varies between coils, so no screen renders it accurately and no two panels are truly identical. That is the material, not a defect. Specify from physical samples.

Request finish samples

Beyond the tonal range

Adeka & Mozaik VMZinc
Textured and patterned surface treatments.
PixArt elZinc
Perforated zinc for screens, soffits and filtered light.

Zinc systems

Choose the finish.
Then choose the form.

The finish you choose does not determine the form it takes. The mills roll the coil and sheet, and WAS works with its own fabricator, so any finish above can be made in any system below.

Zinc flatlock panel, a flat rectangular panel with folded edges on all four sides.
Wall Flatlock
Zinc interlocking panel, a flat panel with a formed lip top and bottom that locks into the course above and below.
Wall Interlocking
Zinc Metafor panel, a tall panel with repeating horizontal reveals across its face.
Wall Metafor
Zinc plate panel, a flat cassette with deep returns and a clip rail along the top edge.
Wall Plate
Zinc corrugated panel, a sinusoidal profile sheet shown at an angle.
Wall + Roof Corrugated
Zinc double lock standing seam panel, a long tray with raised seams along both edges.
Wall + Roof Standing Seam

Not limited to standard profiles

These six systems are a starting point, not the limit. When the design calls for a different profile, custom zinc panels and details can be developed around the project’s architectural intent.

Discuss a profile

Sourcing

Three mills. One source.

Compare architectural zinc across three European mills through one source. Wade helps you evaluate finishes, performance and project requirements without limiting the specification to a single manufacturer’s range.

VMZinc

A broad architectural zinc portfolio ranging from natural and preweathered finishes to pigmented surfaces and specialty treatments.

Finishes shown above

Quartz-Zinc · Anthra-Zinc · Pigmento · Azengar · Pro-Zinc

NedZink

A focused architectural zinc range spanning natural zinc through progressively darker preweathered finishes.

Finishes shown above

Naturel · Nova · Neo · Noir

elZinc

Architectural zinc with distinctive gray finishes and specialty surface options for expressive facade applications.

Finishes shown above

Slate · Graphite

Why three mills matter

Different projects call for different finishes, performance characteristics and design solutions. Access to three mills provides more options to match the material to the specification.

Before you specify

Specify zinc
with confidence.

Zinc is a natural material, and some of its characteristics need to be understood before they become project expectations. Here are four worth addressing early.

  • Color variation is part of zinc

    Exact color matches are not guaranteed.

    Natural variation can occur between coils and batches. For visual consistency, material should be coordinated and ordered accordingly. All three mills publish the same guidance.

    VMZinc · NedZink · elZinc

  • Patina develops on its own timeline

    Patina timelines differ by mill, from a few years to more than ten.

    NedZink publishes one to four years for its natural zinc and elZinc three to five, while VMZinc states a facade may require over ten. Exposure, orientation and rainfall all affect how quickly the surface develops its characteristic matte-gray appearance.

    VMZinc · NedZink · elZinc

  • Coastal exposure changes the surface

    Unrinsed surfaces near the coast may develop permanent staining.

    VMZinc puts the zone within 1 km of the sea and elZinc within 1.5 km. Facades and soffits with limited rain exposure require particular attention to finish selection and maintenance.

    VMZinc · NedZink · elZinc

  • Understand the warranty

    Warranty terms range from ten years to the service life of the product.

    VMZinc warrants material integrity for 50 years on a project-by-project basis, NedZink offers a 10-year guarantee, and elZinc warrants its finishes for the service life of the product. Each requires installation to the manufacturer’s requirements.

    VMZinc · NedZink · elZinc

The point isn’t to avoid zinc. It’s to specify it correctly.

Understanding exposure, finish variation, weathering and warranty requirements early helps prevent aesthetic surprises and specification conflicts later.

Detailing

What happens behind the zinc matters.

Moisture trapped behind zinc can lead to backside corrosion. Both ventilated and unventilated assemblies are possible when designed to the manufacturer’s requirements, and where a ventilated cavity is used, the dimension varies by manufacturer, application and roof pitch.

Back-ventilation guidance by manufacturer and application
ManufacturerApplicationVentilation guidance
VMZincFacade rainscreen38 mm vented space
VMZincCold ventilated roof50 mm minimum air space
NedZinkRoof, 3°–20° pitch80 mm minimum
NedZinkRoof, over 20° pitch50 mm minimum
NedZinkVertical application20 mm minimum
elZincVentilated facade20 mm minimum
elZincPitched roof40–100 mm by pitch

Design to the specified system

Ventilation requirements vary by manufacturer, application and assembly. All three mills publish these dimensions in millimetres and they appear here as published. Confirm the complete wall or roof build-up against the selected zinc manufacturer’s technical requirements before specifying the cavity.

Substitution

Specify the material,
not just the appearance.

Zinc-look steel and aluminum products can approximate the appearance of zinc, but they are fundamentally different materials. If zinc’s natural weathering, longevity and material characteristics are part of the design intent, make those requirements clear in the specification.

Architectural zinc compared with zinc-look metal
Architectural zincZinc-look metal
Zinc is the materialSteel or aluminum substrate
Develops a natural patinaAppearance comes from a coating or finish
Surface evolves with exposureFinish is manufactured to imitate a zinc appearance
Specify by zinc alloy, finish and systemSpecify by substrate and coating system

Protect the design intent

If the project calls for architectural zinc, define the material itself in the specification rather than relying on color or appearance alone. A zinc-look coating may resemble zinc at installation, but it does not weather or perform as the same material.

Zinc is more competitive
than it used to be.

The economics have changed. Tariffs and market conditions affecting competing metals have narrowed the traditional price gap between architectural zinc and alternatives in steel and aluminum. Zinc did not suddenly become inexpensive. The materials often specified in its place became more costly, making zinc increasingly competitive on projects where it may have previously been eliminated on price alone.

Reprice the material, not the memory

If zinc was ruled out early because of cost, compare it again using current project pricing.

Northglenn City Hall seen from across the street: a long two-storey civic building clad in zinc, its near end curving into a rounded prow above a ribbon window band, with low evening sun raking across the panels.
Northglenn City Hall · AndersonMasonDale Architects, P.C. · FCI Constructors · Bighorn Metalworks Inc · ATAS

Project

Northglenn City Hall

An elliptical civic building clad in roughly 20,000 square feet of zinc, requiring custom panel solutions developed specifically for its complex geometry.

  • 5Panel types
  • 3Custom profiles
  • NedZinkZinc supplied
  • Northglenn, COLocation

WAS handled estimating, shop drawings and coordination between the mill, architect and installer, helping resolve the project’s aesthetic, constructability and local wind-load requirements. When an issue threatened the schedule, replacement material was air-freighted from Europe to keep the project moving.

Architectural zinc FAQ

Straight answers.

How long does architectural zinc last?

Architectural zinc is designed for a long service life. Depending on the environment, system design and installation, zinc roofs and facades can perform for many decades, with documented examples lasting 100 years or more. Its durability comes in part from the protective patina that develops naturally on the surface and helps protect the zinc as it weathers.

Does architectural zinc require maintenance?

Very little under normal conditions. Zinc does not rely on a conventional painted finish that requires periodic recoating, and exposed surfaces are often naturally rinsed by rainfall. Areas sheltered from rain, locations where debris can collect and certain aggressive environments may require periodic inspection or cleaning.

Can any zinc finish be formed into any panel profile?

Finish and panel profile are separate design decisions, but not every combination should be assumed without verification. Zinc can be folded, curved and fabricated into a wide range of wall and roof systems, including standing seam, flatlock, interlocking and custom profiles. Material thickness, bend radius, temperature and the requirements of the selected finish can affect fabrication, so the final combination should be confirmed before specification.

Can architectural zinc be used in coastal environments?

Yes, but exposure matters. Salt deposits can affect zinc surfaces, particularly facades, soffits and other areas that do not receive regular rain washing. Finish selection, building orientation, distance from the coast and maintenance requirements should be considered early when specifying zinc for a coastal project.

Is architectural zinc more expensive than steel or aluminum?

Historically, zinc has carried a higher initial material cost than many steel and aluminum alternatives. That gap has narrowed, making current project pricing more important than historical assumptions. For projects considering zinc, it is worth comparing the actual cost of zinc against the alternatives before eliminating it based on price alone.

How do I choose between VMZinc, NedZink and elZinc?

Start with the design rather than the manufacturer. The right mill depends on the finish, application, system, project environment and technical requirements. Because Wade works across VMZinc, NedZink and elZinc, we can help compare the available options and identify the material that best fits the specification without limiting the project to a single manufacturer’s range.

Where are you in the project?

Pick the one that fits and we will start there.

Not sure where to start?

Talk to a Wade Architectural Systems Representative

Call 1-800-950-4544, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.