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| Titanium Zinc: Colour Me Beautiful |
| Pigmento®: Pre-weathered for aesthetics |
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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.