Regardless of the project’s location in the continental U.S., manufacturers commonly produce architectural zinc in continuous 1000 mm (39.3 in.) wide coils. From these large coils, they ship material as either flat sheets or smaller coils in 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, and 14-gauge thicknesses. One can order custom width to minimize waste and to facilitate in manufacturing various profiles. Manufacturers can fabricate tiles and panels as roll-formed or brake-formed engineered roofing systems. Any scrap generated through this process
is 100 percent recyclable.
Manufacturers can further define and customize dimensions, system orientation, shapes, sizes, to meet a project’s individual specifications. Examples of typical zinc roofing products include:
- Double-lock standing seam (DLSS) pre-profiled panels. These are ideal for roof pitches greater than 0.625:12, for creating curves and custom shapes, and for integral snow-retention or photovoltaic systems.
- Angle-lock standing seam panels. These offer distinctive lines and shadows with a wider profile seam than double-lock panels and can integrate snow retention or photovoltaic systems. Along with a conventional vertical orientation, the panels can be installed horizontally or diagonally, on rounded parapets or mansard roofs, and on roof pitches greater than 6:12.
- Batten seams in traditional wide-seamed applications. These are used as an alternative to double-lock standing seam or in combination with standing seam panels. Available in up to 18.3 m (60 ft) lengths, the batten seam panels form boxlike joints by lengthwise connections, with a wood batten or a galvanized steel clip (Figure 3).
- Interlocking tiles for curvilinear surfaces and with roof pitches greater than 3:12. These tiles are individually sized in diamond, rectangular, and square shapes to create a unique aesthetic for roofs with complex geometry (Figure 4).
Architectural zinc can be shaped into a multitude of forms—geometric, organic, or curves—to provide innumerable design options. For more budget-conscious projects, specifying standard panel sizes and shapes helps to reduce manufacturing and fabrication costs, as well as time and expenses associated with installation labor. Some architectural zinc material manufacturers also offer prefabricated half-round gutters, round downspouts, and other rainwater management products to complement the roofing system.
Specifying for performance
The current industry standard, ASTM B69-20 Standard Specification for Architectural Rolled Zinc is applicable to roofing, wall cladding, and other exterior building products. It details Type 1 and Type 2 architectural rolled zinc, where Type 2 has a higher copper composition and a graphite-gray patina.
Material compatibility and cautions
Architectural rolled zinc is affected by its surrounding conditions. This means one must protect roofing products loosely stacked on pallets or platforms with a weatherproof and ventilated covering. They cannot be stored in contact with other materials that could cause staining, denting, or other surface damage. Acidic materials are of key concern.
