Jonathan Lowy, Operational Marketing Manager at VMZINC, explores the aesthetic and performance benefits of zinc roofing and cladding through a series of exemplar case studies.
In association with
191-201 Archway Road, London, by pH+ architects
Buildings have always affected the environment but our perception of what is acceptable or not, good or bad, varies through time and indeed geography. An example of this is the Viviez factory in the south of France where VMZINC has manufactured its products for more than 150 years, and indeed still does – all of our pre-weathered zincs are produced here. Back in the middle of the 19th century industrial power had to be evidenced, and local postcards of the area showed smoke stacks rather than the beautiful Aveyron countryside. At a similar time, Baron Haussmann was turning Paris into the world’s biggest building site, transforming it from a medieval city into the one that we know today. All of this was development but at what cost?
19th century postcard of the Viviez factory in France
Last month at the VMZINC Architects Evening we had the honor of Lord Moylan discussing the interaction between Government housing and infrastructure goals, and environmental laws. Much of the discussion centered around a report produced by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, which was fairly scathing of the government. It summated that both goals should be possible but would require far more co-ordination and political leadership. Is it reasonable for house builders to be held legally responsible for solving water quality problems rather than out dated sewage infrastructure and poor agricultural practices? The conclusion was that the Lords voted against relaxing nutrient neutrality for new residential developments. So what next?
VMZINC’s Viviez factory pictured today
Most people would probably agree that new residential development should be well designed and durable with a minimum of maintenance. Zinc has the advantage of frequently being used where an architect has been heavily involved in the design, rather than to use a US term, ‘cookie cutter design’. Zinc also has an excellent track record with regards to durability and limited maintenance requirements.
18a Ravenscourt Road Stable Yard & Gatehouse, London, by Stolon Studio
In 2022, Stolon Studio designed six dwellings in Beckenham, south east London, using timber-frame structures and colourful cementitious planks. The roof comprises ANTHRA-ZINC PLUS standing seam panels fitted by SH roofing, which includes easily installed PV panels featuring seam clamps that blend into the roof.
Archway Road by pH+ architects, this time in north London, also has a colourful aesthetic. However in this instance it is achieved by combining PIGMENTO Red standing seam wall and roof panels with vibrant red brick – some of which was retained from the original structure. The result is a mixed-use building, including 25 apartments, with the zinc installed by Full Metal Jacket.
Red Cross Village, Bristol, by Arturus Architects
In the Old Market Conservation Area of Bristol, Arturus Architects extended an old block of 31 small flats outwards and upwards, resulting in an elegant building with 63 larger flats. Again a combination of brick and standing seam was used on the facades. The design also captures some of the character – in a modern take – of a medieval gabled street frontage. Here, both pre-weathered QUARTZ-ZINC and ANTHRA-ZINC are used with matching zinc gutters, downpipes and hoppers fitted by Architectural Metal Roofing.
Bowness Close, London, by Shed KM
Back in south London, Shed KM worked with Greenwich council to create a development of one and two-bedroom flats on old garage sites. This affordable housing is 100 per cent for social rent but still uses a number of elegant design elements to create attractive homes, including large picture windows and durable materials, such as PIGMENTO RED zinc standing seam panels on the facades.
Ravens Way houses, London, by Bell Phillips Architects
Going back to 2015, Bell Phillips Architects also transformed semi-derelict garage sites in London’s Greenwich into dwellings for the over 60s using a number of materials, including PIGMENTO Red standing seam roofing and cladding. This video presents the project in a little more detail:
As with the mansard roofs of Paris, all of these projects benefit from the attractive aesthetic of zinc roofs and facades, as well as the material’s durability, which the BRE estimates at 100 years in the Environmental Production Declaration EN 15804. At the end of this long service life zinc is also 100 per cent recyclable, and indeed in western Europe, more than 98 per cent of old roofing zinc is recycled. Furthermore, Brooft4 fire tests show no flame spread or penetration.
Pre-weathered zinc comes in a wide range of attractive finishes. However, for these to be successfully transformed into a finished roof or wall, the design must be correct and skilled specialist installers employed. It is for this reason that VMZINC works with partner VMZINC@WORK installers who have a known track record of successfully installing zinc. These installers can benefit from a 50 year material warranty covering VMZINC.
