Zinc guttering - lighter and longer lasting

VM Zinc (Umicore) examine the use of zinc as a material for rainwater goods.

VM Zinc (Umicore) Architects are increasingly turning to zinc as a building material for its long-term performance, low maintenance needs and adaptability to diverse design styles.

In the context of rainwater goods, however, usage in the U.K.

has lagged behind much of Western Europe, and attracted little attention in construction media.

With increasing interest, however, in alternatives to cast iron guttering, zinc's combination of strength, light weight, durability and cost now makes a powerful case in its favour.

In terms of sustainability, zinc ore extraction and associated manufacturing require lower levels of energy than iron, copper, aluminium or stainless steel (even with recycled aluminium), so greenhouse gas emissions are lower too.

It is a natural material for which recycling demand is also high; in mainland Europe over 90% of old rolled zinc is re-used in, for example, galvanizing and production of zinc oxide.

As it ages, zinc's develops a progressively rich, natural patination.

Many architects have commented how well this enables it to blend not just with timber but stone and concrete, while providing a contrast to a plethora of glazing finishes.

Normal ageing, known as phosphatization, brings about a slow change in the crystalline structure of both sides of the metal's surface.

VM Zinc's Pluline guttering range, however, is manufactured using a patented pre-weathering process to produce either a quartz or anthracite-aged patination effect.

This has the added benefit of providing resistance to surface marking during installation.

Quartz-zinc, used primarily for refurbishments, provides a natural patinated appearance to blend with existing weathered building components, while the deeper charcoal Anthra-zinc has been developed for use with more contemporary architectural features.

Zinc is easily worked and formed to achieve intricate shapes and complex detailing and so, unlike cast iron, is not susceptible to impact cracking.

Inherent corrosion resistance and UV-stability contribute much to a service life which can extend to 50 years, regardless of seasonal or climatic variation.

Susceptibility to expansion and creek is also far lower than other metals.

Its weight, however, is what stands out to many specifiers, a 2-metre length of 125mm width half-round zinc at 2.75 kg comparing with cast iron at 8.3kg.

The neat appearance of half-round gutters is provided by concealed brackets, while self-locking brackets are employed with downpipes to make installation straightforward.

Traditional accessories such as stop ends, internal and external corners, Y-branches, hopper heads, running outlets and rainwater diverters are all available, as are larger widths in box, OG and half-round profile.

A range of complementary finials and weather vanes, up to a metre in height, emphasise the contribution guttering can make to building design.

The combination of appearance, sustainability and performance led to the choice by Osborne Homes' of Pluline D guttering and zinc cladding for its affordable homes 'Innovations House' at the BRE.

By contrast, developers such as Herring Homes used zinc guttering for its development of thatched roof properties at Sutton Courtney in Oxfordshire.

Kentmear Homes too used concealed Pluline gutters for Munkenbeck and Marshall's striking Quarry House curved zinc roof design.

Zinc's popularity as a cladding material will undoubtedly help prompt consideration of its qualities a drainage component.

Its inherent long-term reliability, low maintenance needs and the continued growth in demand for natural and recyclable products means that, with a 50-year life expectancy, exceptional design-life value is assured.

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