Zinc is naturally grey, however, VM Zinc is branching out with new colours. Facades and roofs are taking on red, green and blue shades, opening up new horizons for architectural creation.

A traditional metal, zinc has long since convinced roofers of its advantages. Today architects and owners demonstrate their attachment to the material. Their enthusiasm is expressed in the application of zinc to all the functions of a building and in the adaptation of the material to all architectural styles.

The architect can now see his projects taking form in the expert hands of the roofer who transforms the zinc. The building envelope comes into being, light and contrasting shadows play with one another. Zinc asserts itself.

One of the remarkable qualities of zinc is its durability. The metal stands up to the test of time because of its exceptional resistance to corrosion. Zinc protects itself by developing a patina. It requires no maintenance. Because of the properties of the metal it lasts for up to 50 years in an aggressive urban environment and up to 100 years in a protected rural environment.

The material can be laid on slopes from 5 percent, to vertical and allows a varied range of construction layouts and the management of complex details which are impossible to realise with other materials. Highly adaptable to local professional particularities, it readily conforms to regulation or comfort requirements specific to each building.

Zinc is a natural material which can be recycled indefinitely, to the advantage of all the actors in its life cycle. It contributes to the environmental performance of buildings and is favourably situated with regard to several of the HQE (High Environmental Quality) approach.

At the design and construction stages and throughout the lifetime of a building (Eco-Construction/Management), zinc contributes to the harmonious integration of the building into its immediate environment. It also limits the impacts of the building on its external environment as it reduces building site pollution in particular, site waste, noise and dust pollution.

Natural VM Zinc has a slightly shiny metallic aspect initially. It develops its semi-matte light grey patina within six months to two years depending on its environment and the location of the building while pre-weathered zinc products have a patina on installation.

Bringing a new modernity to this noble material, providing more inspiration for architects, easier installation for roofers and ever better performance, VM Zinc launched Pigmento® at the Batimat show in Paris last November. In 2006, the coloured zinc will join the company’s range of products.

Pigmento®: Pre-weathered for aesthetics
Zinc blends perfectly with regional specificities and can be combined with other coloured materials (tiles, bricks, etc.). Pigmento®, the coloured pre-weathered zinc from VM Zinc, is however constantly changing reflection, playing with light, the environment and volumes. The textured aspect of the pre-weathered zinc shows through the colour, just as the grain in wood is visible through its coat of varnish. It is able to retain its essential character. Audacious and attractive, the pre-weathered zinc combines quality and durability, aesthetics and the avant-garde. Emotion and tradition are expressed in contemporary, personalised architecture.

Can be used in all types of facades in standing seam, interlocking panel, flat-lock panel, sine wave profile and cassettes. Colours available: range from autumn red, to lichen green and ash blue. Thickness range from 0.7 mm to 1.50 mm and widths are available from 500 mm to 1,000 mm.

Structural roofing: New thicknesses
VM Zinc has been developing its warm roof construction system for buildings with low to intermittent high hygrometry in anticipation of the new RT 2005 thermal regulations. This system combines a standing seam roof with adjustable thickness rock wool insulation on a substructure (steel, wood or concrete), enabling it to be installed on all slopes (3 to 600) of all shapes (flat, curved or conical).

It also offers a full range of fixing accessories which allows the VM Zinc Structural Roof to adapt to any insulation thickness, from 50 mm to 180 mm, without any intermediate profiles, without cutting the insulation and with minimised thermal bridging.

About VM Zinc...
VM Zinc is the international brand of rolled zinc products made and sold by the Building Products Unit of the International Umicore Group, specialised in metals and materials. The company is known by roofers in France for over 160 years under its old name of “Vieille Montagne”.




   

It was specifically designed to replace the traditional thatched roofs when they found that the islanders had to replace their thatched roofs on a regular basis.

These “Balinese” shingles are made from aluminium panels, using a specially designed machine to create a ‘’grass-like’’ effect that enhances the “organic” look and feel of the native dwellings.

The advantages of using aluminium are that there is a variety of colours to choose from, shingles made from aluminium have a longer life span compared to traditional thatched roofing, and they are easy to install.

These new aluminium shingles also have a rustic and tropical look, which makes them blend well with the native designs in the Seychelles. Finally, these “Balinese” shingles can be installed on an insulated roof.

These pest proof, low maintenance shingles are a very attractive alternative to thatched roofing which can be prone to rot and vermin.

As present, these ”Balinese” aluminium shingles are manufactured in Germany and have been installed only in the Seychelles.