Everything You Need to Know About Zinc
If you’re in search of a versatile metal for your building material needs, look no further than zinc. With a variety of applications and physical characteristics, it’s no wonder that people are turning to zinc for virtually all their building projects, from roofs to wall panels to gutters, and everything in between. Here’s everything you need to know about zinc!
Properties and Uses of Zinc
Zinc is an abundant and naturally occurring element that was long used as an alloy to galvanize copper into brass before it was recognized as a building material. Today the primary use of zinc remains galvanizing metal for manufacturing purposes. However, zinc is also used in a wide range of manufacturing processes from rubber to medicines. According to the United States Geological Survey, about three quarters of zinc is used to manufacture various metal products such as:
- Galvanized metal, serving as a coating to protect iron and steel from corrosion
- Alloying metal to make brass and bronze
- Zinc-based die casting alloy
- Rolled zinc
Zinc as a Building Material
As one of the most abundant naturally occurring elements on earth, it is clear why zinc would be considered a possible building material. Early metal manufacturers in India & China succeeded in melting zinc down, but it was only later in the 18th century that German chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf was able to isolate the element. However, it was the process of rolling zinc, that shaped the element into sheets perfect for creating building products. This lead to the first known zinc roof application at the Saint Barthélémey church in Liège. During record population growth in Paris in the mid-19th century, Haussmann the city planner appointed by Napoleon III chose zinc as the roof of choice — the new product that epitomized modern architecture. Today, many mansard roofs made of zinc still dominate the city’s skyline. Although copper is still the longest lasting metal building material, zinc takes a close second with some finishes being known to last 60 – 100 years. Like copper zinc ages naturally over time and becomes fortified by a corrosion-resistant patina layer, that makes it low maintenance, and resistant to fire, insects, and mold.
Benefits of Zinc in Architecture
As a highly functional and aesthetically-pleasing material, zinc is truly the best of both worlds for your building project needs! Zinc naturally develops a beautiful gray patina over time (typically within five years) from exposure to environmental factors such as air quality and humidity. This patina layer serves to protect the metal inside from corrosion, and the attractive gray hue is considered highly desirable by designers and architects alike, making zinc a popular option among consumers to embellish their home and heighten its curb appeal. Additionally, the patina is “self-healing” and will naturally redevelop if scratches or damage occurs. Because of its aesthetic popularity, many zinc manufacturers offer pre-patina (also known as pre-weathered) options in a variety of attractive yet subtle colors, including grays, blues, reds and greens, that will darken naturally over time as the metal weathers naturally.
In addition to being desirable for its aesthetic look, zinc possesses many functional advantages:
- Incredible longevity – zinc can have a lifespan of 80 to 100 years!
- Strong durability – zinc can resist various harsh weather conditions, insects, and mold.
- Low maintenance profile –other than basic care, zinc has minimal upkeep requirements, making it cost-effective in the long run.
- Sustainably manufactured – zinc is one of the most “green” metals available in the market!
Maintenance and Sustainability
Let’s take a closer look at what makes zinc so low maintenance and sustainably harvested. Zinc is an eco-friendly material because it is highly durable with minimal maintenance requirements. After installation, zinc does not require much maintenance, as it does not deteriorate easily and naturally works to repair itself with its patina layering. Other building materials, such as wood, are highly susceptible to damage and can require frequent and costly repairs. As a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust, zinc can be harvested in abundance. Zinc also has unmatched recyclability levels; it is 100 percent recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without loss of its chemical and physical properties. This leads to significantly less construction waste and more energy efficiency during manufacturing.
Conclusion
It is clear that zinc is one of the most versatile metals available because of its attractive, sustainable, and practical attributes, making it a top choice for building projects of all types. Do you have an upcoming construction or home upgrade project in the new year? Consider zinc for your building material needs, and consider us at Helix Metalforming the professionals to do the job! We bring over 50 years of specialized experience, excellent customer service, and quality products. Get in touch with our team today and get a free quote!
