Climate-resilient, long-lived performance of architectural zinc
Architectural zinc has been used in coastal communities for generations and can be seen on building projects across many climate zones. Installed properly, zinc roofing and wall systems will resist air and water infiltration, and withstand high winds reaching up to 241 kph (150 mph).
Zinc’s natural patina will appear lighter when used in marine locations where the air contains chlorides (salt). Deposits will not be as visible on lighter blue-gray zinc. For aesthetic reasons, it is recommended to clean the surface of the material with clean water (not seawater) at least twice a year in maritime climate zones, depending on local conditions. If the metal is scratched, scuffed, or fingerprinted, zinc will heal itself by re-patinating. With time and exposure to wetting and drying cycles, the former blemish will patinate and blend to match.
In areas facing multiple climate challenges, such as marine environments that are susceptible to wildfires, architectural zinc offers a noncombustible solution as it is also non-corrosive. Research from the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) estimates the cost of corrosion to the U.S. construction industry at $50 billion.13
Along with zinc’s climate-resilient, non-corrosive performance, it also provides a long lifespan to support reduced-carbon sustainable design and operational goals. Reduced-carbon architectural zinc and other metal roofing materials have a lifespan of 100 years or more.
In the U.S., asphalt has been a key material for roofs. Primarily made from petroleum, asphalt is a high-carbon material. The lifespan of an asphalt roofing is approximately 20 years.14 While the initial material purchase price of asphalt is less expensive, over the life of the roofing, architectural zinc costs less.15 Although similar lifespan cost comparisons of roofing assemblies could be made—asphalt was selected as it is the most popular in the U.S.
Replacing a roof is not only a material and labor expense, but it also disrupts the property’s operation and occupants, resulting in lost productivity. For example, rooftop photovoltaic (PV) arrays have a lifespan of approximately 25-30 years for residential homes and longer for more robust commercial buildings systems.16 This means during a PV array’s lifetime use, one would need to replace an asphalt roof at least once, interrupting renewable solar energy power generation. A zinc roof provides a platform to mount solar panels without replacing the roof, and will outlast the PV array’s lifespan.
In addition to accommodating power-generation systems, gutters, and downspouts fabricated from architectural zinc offer decades of continuous use in rainwater collection and harvesting systems. Its run-off is non-staining and non-toxic.
