When Canadian architect Graham McNally needed to decide on a material for a roof whose design would feature prominently from the ground, he chose prePatina EcoZinc from German manufacturer Rheinzink. The zinc would integrate well aesthetically with the other prominent materials of the building—slate, brick, and stone. He considered going with a painted metal, but that would have required maintenance and, if left unattended to, could have ended up looking bad. The zinc, however, patinas with age, contributing to its beauty and its longevity by forming a protecting layer. McNally had used prePatina before, and for this project he was able to take advantage of the line’s recently updated version in the form of EcoZinc, whose production uses 50% less CO2 than its predecessor by tapping into renewable energy sources. Even without this update, zinc is a fairly sustainable material due to its long lifespan and recyclability.

Usable as wall-cladding systems, roof systems, gutters, downspouts and other architectural details, EcoZinc undergoes a preweathering process that produces its blue-gray or graphite-gray appearance. Once installed, the zinc will continue to patina, which will even out any scratches incurred during the installation process.

This line of zinc also incorporates less than 1% of titanium and copper for added malleability and strength, and unlike with other roof types, algae and moss typically do not form over this material. McNally cautions against using EcoZinc in areas that are particularly prone to salt buildup, but Rheinzink provides an optional transparent coating to mitigate this for homes in coastal areas.

EcoZinc is available to distributors as 19.7-in.-wide coils or 39.4-in. by 120-in. sheets; custom-size sheets and tiles can be purchased through qualified fabricators and installers. Builders should plan to spend around $12 per sq. ft. on a panel, but pricing can vary quite a bit based on the project. The upfront costs are high, but zinc roofs can last a very long time, reducing the cost of repair and replacement down the road.

www.rheinzink.us

Photos courtesy of the manufacturer.

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