Since we launched our hard metals as SIG Zinc & Copper back in 2013 we’ve been able to provide ‘fabricated in the UK’ Zinc systems. The service enables specifiers to get fast access to a comprehensive range of zinc roofing, cladding and accessories.
Zinc roofing and cladding, fabricated in the UK, has been available for some years, but why do architects like Zinc so much? These are our thoughts on the matter.
Why architects like to Specify Zinc
1. Zinc is beautiful
There’s nothing like a real metal roof. It looks great, it photographs well and its crisp lines can really bring out the qualities of a building design. Zinc can look really spectacular.
Today you don’t need to rely on time to create a good patina on zinc, and there are a range of finishes available. As well as the natural finish, zink comes in prepatinated finishes including simple pre-weathered products and pigmented zinc. This means at the time of writing we can offer over 25 different zinc finishes from several different suppliers.
2. Zinc can be used on the whole building envelope
We’re constantly surprised at the ingenuity of architects designs. They are always pushing the boundaries to create ever more beautiful buildings, and zinc plays its part in that.
Because zinc roofing and cladding can perform well at pitches between 5 and 90 degrees, it can be used all over the building envelope. As a thin (commonly 0.7mm) material, it can be shaped to follow curves and angles, and is a perfect cladding material for your more unusual forms. Have a look at the gallery for examples of zinc, copper and aluminium used in all sorts of ways.
If you want to go below 7 degrees, you might want to switch to single ply membrane in parts of your roof. Because we’re not simply a single material supplier, our design service can help you integrate a zinc roof with other materials. Just get in touch with your questions and we’ll advise on the best options to bring the results you want.
3. Zinc has a very long service life
Zinc is weatherproof, corrosion resistant, and not degraded by Ultra Violet light. A patina on the surface protects it from moisture. As a result, if properly installed, zinc roofing and cladding has a very long service life, and can in theory last up to 100 years without degradation. There are examples of zinc roofing and cladding that have been installed in excess of 100 years ago.
The long life of a zinc roof makes it cost effective when considering whole life costs, but in fact zinc roofing can also be cheaper to start with – it can compares really well to alternative metals such as copper and lead (of course) and even stainless steel, though you should seek our advice on the latest situation with metal pricing.
4. Zinc is a safe way to specify a metal roof
Compared to other metals, zinc can be cost effective to buy, and this makes metal theft very unlikely with a zinc roof, unlike lead, copper or even stainless steel. SIG Zinc & Copper BDM Paul Cousins has never encountered a zinc metal theft incident in 20 years working with Zinc in construction.
If you want a metal roof, zinc is likely to be the most cost effective, and the least likely to succumb to theft.
Helping you specify Zinc Roofing and Cladding
If you want a zinc roof on your building, get in touch with us for a full impartial design and supply service.
The benefits of using AccuRoof to help you with your zinc roof include:
- A fully conversant technical team with decades of experience;
- Free advice on design and detailing;
- UK Fabrication, including bespoke designs;
- Reliable supply by SIG plc, our nationwide logistics network;
- Installation by a trained and ARRC approved contractor;
- Full technical support off site and on site including inspections;
- Professional Indemnity Insurance for all our advice and design work;
- Full system guarantees.
Full system guarantees are particularly popular with clients because it means if you do have any problem with your roof there is one point of call, and no problems between the material, accessories, design and fixing.
More Information
Get in touch with us to discuss your zinc project and we’ll introduce you to Category Manager Simon Walker and BDM Paul Cousins who can answer all your zinc questions.
Want to see the Zinc in the flesh? Apply for a set of samples here.
Download the Zinc Roofing and Cladding brochure
Download the Zinc gutters and ancillaries catalogue
See more downloads including technical handbook and datasheets on the Zinc and Copper website
Any questions? You can also comment below, and feel free to share this post with your colleagues if its useful.
81 comments
Please send us an estimate quote for supply and installation (replacement roof) for a roof around 200 m2 in Long Ditton ,Surrey.
This is a 5 bed residence currently with tiles.
Regards,
Dr.S.Bavan
One important fact about Zinc you have missed is that there are no pollutants to rainwater run off such as the oxides you get with copper or lead.
Hi Simon.
Could you give me a call/email to discuss a project in Newcastle.
Thanks.
Richard
0899 079 1979
Is it possible to build a “green” roof (ie with plants) on top of zinc?
Please contact us about a roof on a house in Rutland -currently a low pitch felt on wood.
I am a decorater and one of my customer does not like the grey colour of the zinc Can you paint over zinc to change the colour.
thanks Richard
Hello Richard,
Whilst it is possible to paint zinc, it is an unusual thing to do and we wouldn’t be able to guarantee the life of the paint. The undercoat would need to be water based and the paint should have a Ph of 5 or less.
We recommend that you speak to a paint supplier to ensure that the paint you use is compatible.
Simon Walker
SIG Zinc and Copper
Hello Simon,
Can you tell me if : 1. if the weight of a pitched roof (at about 30 degrees) would be significantly less with zinc (compared to tiles) – and thus can the structure rely on reduced beam / joist thicknesses etc.? 2. how does cost compare with a cheap interlocking concrete tile / average flat clay tile. 3. can a completely water tight fit be achieved with velux windows. 4. do you have close-up pictures of gullies, ridges, velux type window integration and joins to existing brick work.
Thanks
Neel
I’ve got a traditional red brick house in Nottingham, which I would like to have external insulation instal on and I would like to explore having an external skin of Black / Charcoal Grey zinc. Could this work where the house is insulated to to improve energy efficiency and comfort and look good?
I am also exploring having aluminum double glazing install.
Thanks Michael
Dear Simon
I have a large roof to re-do in the south of France.
It is approximately 600m2 and would look great in black zinc.
Is there a big difference in price between black and silver zinc?
Would black zinc make the attic hotter in the sun – it gets very hot near Toulouse.
Although there is not much rain – would the zinc be ok/completely watertight with velux windows?
Thanks
James
We live in a broadleaf wood and our roof gets an awful lot of wet dead leaves covering it every austumn. Would this affect a flat zinc roof very much. We remove the leaves fairly regularly.
Hi, our project is on the west coast of Wales. We are within 1km of the sea, however we are fairly sheltered. How would a zinc roof fair in coastal conditions such as these?
Hi
I am doing some elaborate designs for a shopfront,is it possible to create one in Zinc.? ie a traditional shop front in Zinc instead of Wood..
Wayne
is it possible to introduce zinc inorder to build up a multipurpose hall of 7.6m height and in hot humid climate
hi
having an extension constructed, which will be our main living area, to our domestic property and a zinc roof has been suggested, is there any issue regarding noise level from rainfall, we live on the west coast of scotland.
thanks
neil
Recent Planning Application to refurbish and extend a bungalow in Essex with zinc roof and cladding on an open site in a residential road described by Planners as unremarkable with undistinguished houses, has been REFUSED as the form and cladding is ‘Alien. Despite the Design Statement emphasizing all the environmental attributes of the material, despite the design being lightweight and minimalist, despite the fact that we are in the 21st century and contemporary design is the way forward to 22nd century, planner wants a replication of a double pitched roof with flat roofed dormer wings.
Has anybody any suggestions about how I can pursuade planners they are wrong, bigoted, biased and prescriptive?
Unfortunately Planning Appeal upheld in an arbitrary and perverse fashion, the decision, but new planner has said he is delighted with zinc and high quality materials, but due to the Refusal and controversy in his office, he will not revisit the design.
Help.
Hi we are buying a house that currently has an almost flat roof over an extension. The extension is approximately 4m deep and runs the width of the house (12m ish). Is there a minimum angle for a zinc roof? We could increase the angle, but probably by only a few degrees.
Cheers Chris.
nice pics, thanx
The ‘Zinc is beautiful’ House, is one of our projects in Melbourne Australia.? where did you get the photo?we got a lovely surprise when googling Zinc Houses.
I live in a Listed building, with permission to remove/replace existing plastic roof & lead flashing of the ‘sunroom’. Being south-facing, is zinc a suitable replacement for the lead, tolerant of high sunshine/heat levels, with velux windows inserted & can it be shaped/fitted under the hanging tiles where it meets the building? Does the grey zinc look similar to lead in colour?
Do you make zinc guttering?
Many thanks
Sarah
Dear Sarah,
Many thanks for getting in touch. Yes a zinc roof would definitely be suitable for this purpose, as long as the pitch of the roof was not below 5 degrees.
The grey NedZinK NOVA looks quite similar to lead – you can see the variety of colours and a set of gallery photographs on our website here:http://www.sigzincandcopper.co.uk/natural-and-pre-weathered-zinc-roofing-and-cladding-by-nedzink/
We also supply zinc guttering and ancilliaries and have a separate brochure for this in our downloads section.
You can view all the downloads here: http://www.sigzincandcopper.co.uk/downloads/
Or download the gutters and ancillaries brochure directly from this link:http://www.sigzincandcopper.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-SIG-Zinc-Copper-Gutters-and-Ancilleries-Catalogue-lo-res.pdf
Kind regards,
Simon
I have an existing concrete roof. Could you reproof by adding the zinc on top?
Great article thank you. We’re currently considering different roof options for our proposed extension. How does the cost of a zinc roof compare to aluminium?
thanx, but very little about how to reshingle a roof
Hi Simon
I am currently pricing a single storey exstension in York and the architect has specified a standing seam zinc roof with a rooflight in the centre
The roof is to be as shallow pitched as possible and I will form it with timber joists an plywood
Would really appreciate if you could give me an approx price for supply and fit the zinc
The approx area is 60m2 and ideally would incorporate secret zinc lined gutters to 3 sides
Many thamks
Hi.
Is there any coating or a way to prevent white oxidization of the zinc in areas where water takes a long time drying after rain?
Hi Thor,
The oxidisation is the patina formation, so stopping this would limit the life of the material. So It’s a no from me!
I probably would question why water is holding in certain areas, water shouldn’t be holding at roof pitches above 5 degrees.
Simon
Is it possible to fix solar panels onto a zinc roof?
Hi Looking at Zinc to cover a smallish roof approximately 72sm build with roof pitch of 26 degrees. Can you give me a rough ballpark figure for supply and fit of the prepatinated Nova plus required guttering etc
Hi Simon!
Great site you have got here! We are in the beginning of a project in Norway about 50 metres from the sea. I have the following questions:
1. Is it a problem to use NedZink NOIR in coastal areas with rough climate half of the year?
2. Does NedZinc have any distributor in Norway or do you have any connections over here? I have only found Rhenzinc and VM Zinc so far.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you and best regards,
Emil Evnum
I require an approximate quote for 2.5 x 3.75m roof on a 12 degree pitch roof constructed from sip Panels.
Regards Brian Adam
Hello,
I am building a house which will have a standing seam zinc roof and I will want to install PV panels on this roof.
I understand that the panels will be mounted on a frame which in turn will be fixed to the upstanding seams.
The house is in an exposed location on the coast and is subject to gale force winds from time to time. I am wondering therefore how the zinc cladding is secured to the supporting boards and if there could be a risk of the cladding being damaged by the wind getting under the PV panels. One section of the roof is south facing, has a 26 deg. pitch and is reasonably protected from the wind but there is another section on top of the roof which has an 8 deg. pitch (north facing) and is much more exposed.
The architect advises against fixing the panels to this section due to the risk of damage in high winds.
What do you think? I am also wondering about the risk of an electrolytic reaction between the roof and the fixings for the PV panels. Please advise. Thanks.
could please give me call please 07850 405150
for info and price for a zinc roof for a projct i am working on
regards
Hi,
We are currently getting water ingress on a extension roof, which was supposed to have a 12.5 degree pitch. We have been told by a roofing company that it is only 9 degrees, which is the reason for the water ingress. We also have several velux and sun tunnels in the roof. Would a zinc roof fix the water issue & allow us to keep the velux? I really don’t want to lose the light.
Regards
Lesley Watters
We live in a 4th and 5th level duplex with an attractive dark zinc cladding to much of it. Unfortunately flocks of small birds also like it and we have a lot of unreachable ledges with droppings on. Will this cause any long term damage?
We are currently having an extension which includes a large amount of external timber cladding. We have just thought about zinc (having watched Grand Designs) & found your site.
Please could you advise of the benefits of Zinc over wood on a domestic build & also the difference in cost?
Kind regards
Planning extension onto house.
6m x 6m
Steel frame
2 edges onto current house.
Will need wide box gutters
Looking to fit zinc seamed roof sloping 30 degrees up at both sides to reach a peak on outer corner.
Maximum glass on 2 outer sides
I have pics
In Glasgow
Can u give a rough idea of price
I am self building a contemporary house, and want to put zinc cladding on the front of the building, taking the form of 1 m wide strips which will be 8 m high.
Is this something we could perhaps talk about and supply?
Kind regards
Peter hodge
I am a self builder looking to get prices for a natural/ bright zinc roof , 200m2 roughly to the Wirral area backing onto a conservation area.
can you advise what lengths you do ? a rough price for the natural zinc with no pre treatments or weathering.
also delivery length as this is all running to a tight time scale.
Many thanks
Mrs Roberts
Hi I am looking at doing an extension with a flat zinc roof. Total is around 55 m2. However this will have 2 roof lights in it which I have not excluded from the measurements. Could you give me an idea of what it will cost including concealed guttering and any constraints. Many thanks
After being indecisive about using zinc on the conservatory roof of our small converted Barn. Your letter page has helped us to Say YES to our Architect and Builder, Many thanks we will be in touch once the design and plan are in place,
Jackie Norton
Hi, I am doing a small extension, roughly 4m x 2m and am thinking of having a standing seam zinc roof which would have 2 velux windows. Can you tell me roughly how much this would be to supply and fit? Thank you
I am in the process of replacing a mono pitched slate roof on a listed building and wanting to install a Standing Seam zinc Roof. The pitch will be 5 degrees and the total dimensions would be 2300mm by 16000 mm. Can you give me a supply only price to include guttering, and a time line on this
Many thanks
Hi I currently have flat roof plastic covered dormas front & back which I whish to cover in zinc could you please give me quote.
Thanks
Steve
I am just about to get plans drawn for a bungalow in County Down, N Ireland. I had thought of a pitched roof with concrete tiles but would consider a flat but sloped roof as I want a contemporary design.
Can you advise on costs per sq meter please?
Thanks
We have a client putting a zinc roof on a self-build in Cornwall who needs to raise some additional funds to complete the job, however the lenders we are speaking to run a mile when we mention zinc roofs.
Do you know any lenders who are not put off by zinc roofs?
Thanks,
red.
We are in the process of designing a roof system with a maximum pitch of 12 degrees and want to include a velux window. Is this possible with a zinc roof as we seem to have a lot problems with tiles.
Thanks
Bob
Hi, We have a 5.5mx4m wooden conservatory with a polycarbonate roof. We would like to convert the roof to zinc and include some glazing. Would this be possible? If so, do you work in Hampshire? Also, could you give me a rough idea of price?
Sorry I forgot to mention that the roof is lean-to style and is at about a 7 degree angle. Many Thanks
Great article. Zinc is an excellent material and we are finding more and more people asking about it.
Sean
Is it possible to incorporate roof lights, such as Velux windows in a zinc roof, and if so how do you ensure the finish on the aluminium surfaces matches, or contrasts, with the zinc finish?
Many thanks,
Roger
Hi,
I am planning a small extension to the front of a house and wondered if you would be happy to offer advice regarding the zinc (roof and walls). Advice on cost as well as feasibility would be appreciated and I’m happy to send over the initial plans if required.
Chris
Hi
Is it possible to create a zinc dorma roof on a slopping steel roof, currently acquiring a property which has planning permission for a 3metre by 1.00 velux which creates a little more head height, however my preference would be a dorma. Not sure this is achievable on an existing sloping roof.
Sheraz
Can a zinc roof be installed on a semi detached house? If yes, how does it work?
Zinc is an excellent material and we are finding more and more people asking about it now days we are starting to do a lot of it in recent times.
Hi
I have a 5 metre x 4 metre upvc Victorian conservatory with plastic roof panels. I was recently quoted by a local firm to replace the roof with roof tiles and a plastered finish on the inside but the cost was beyond my budget. I have had the inside of the conservatory roof lined with white plastic panelling to cut out the excess sun and improve insulation on the inside.
Could a zinc covering be put on the outside of the roof?…..at what approx cost?…. the local firm said that the conservatory was comfortably strong enough to support the new roof they were going to install.
Brian Holloway
I totally agree here, also with new builds, I’m getting more and more quotes for Zinc roofing which is great to see!
Zinc is the longest lasting roof materials between 100 and 120+ years it is an excellent material and we are getting alot more people calling and quoting asking about it. We have been doing more in recent years