Sustainable, or "green" buildings - buildings that are deliberately designed to use natural resources in a way that is environmentally friendly - are no longer a luxury. You are an imperative.
Consider the facts:. According to the National Institute of Building Sciences' Whole Building Design Guide "On an annual basis, buildings in the United States, 39 percent of U.S. energy and 68 percent of its electricity emit Buildings also consume 38 percent of carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas linked to climate change are), 49 percent of the sulfur dioxide, and found 25 percent of the nitrogen oxides in the air. Currently, the vast majority of this energy is produced from non-renewable fossil resources ... "
Of the two options, heating, cooling and lighting reduce the impact "of climate-responsive design and construction practices," the whole building design guide recommends the use of "high-performance building envelopes: select walls, roofs and other modules on the basis of long term isolation, and durability meet. "
One of the most sustainable, high performance building materials used throughout the world is zinc. Zinc is reported that 23 be most abundant element in the earth's crust. It is a non-ferrous metal vulnerable to rust or corrosion is not: it is weatherproof, seismic proof, corrosion resistant and resistant to the damaging effects of UV rays, creating a very long life without loss of quality.
This is possible because architectural zinc develops its own protective layer as zinc hydroxy-carbonate. Once it is formed such that the layer blocks penetration of moisture and chemicals, and zinc, when scratched, the hydroxy-carbonate is to reform with time. In other words, even cures zinc. That's why zinc walls and roofs last an average of 80 to 100 years.
Zinc also requires very little energy to produce, and little to no maintenance, and it is 100 percent recyclable scrap from new construction to the time reaches its end use. As a result, zinc roofing and wall cladding never end up in landfills.
For generations, the European architects zinc have set as building envelope material for all types of buildings, because it would take and endure harsh weather conditions. In the late 1700s, zinc was also one of the most popular roofing materials in America, which is why many famous historic buildings as the Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is used had metal roofs.
Unfortunately, zinc fell out of favor in the U.S. as less expensive roofing materials developed as asphalt shingles, and as American developers and builders in a "throw-away" mind-set fell in the 1960s and 70s that still makes no more than a 30 - to 50-year lifespan for American buildings.
Today, the American architect are more and more in love with the material, not only for its durability but also because of the increasing need for environmentally sustainable design and construction.
American architects on the use of zinc heated to commercial, institutional and public buildings. A few far-sighted practitioners also encourage residential customers to use architectural zinc on their homes - from brand-new building for the renovation and restoration of historic.
New: thinking about the future "Zinc ultimately costs much less than asphalt shingles, when you calculate the lifetime of the house," says Daniel Fine, director of market development for VMZINC and an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). "Shingles are usually of asphalt, a decidedly non-green material, and an average shingle roof need to be replaced about every 10 years -. Four to five times the life of a zinc roof in comparison"
Compared to other metals that may be cheaper than Zinc (lacquered aluminum, for example) or can be more expensive (copper), Schön insists that zinc is present in the analysis. He points out:
• Painted materials can scratch and rust if they are not protected, or if they are damaged, and their life is half to one third of that of zinc.
• copper now costs about twice as much as zinc. • Some communities have raised concerns about the run-off from copper. Zinc run-off is clear and leaves no stains on adjacent materials such as copper.
• More zinc is found naturally in the earth than at any run-off of a typical residential roof found.
• Zinc is not bio-available when it hits the ground, so it does not post, danger to children and pets.
• Ceramic tile and slate are heavier than zinc and require a stronger, more expensive structural basis as zinc.
A zinc roof is also more energy efficient than less expensive asphalt shingles because it reflects heat and blocks heat transfer in attics. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985 proved reports that metal roofs generally absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing saves up to 20 percent on their energy bills.
In Greenville, North Carolina, designed the Walters Residence, a sleek, modern residence of Tonic Design + Construction, is an excellent example of the use of architectural zinc in an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient home. Both the customer and the design team presented the house as a model of environmental sensitivity and the choice of materials was critical to their success. To this end, designer Vincent Petrarca, Associate AIA, 1500 square VMZINC flat lock panel for the home of the double-height "public" space provided.
"The color, material qualities, and the system of interlocking panels create a detailed structure of the surface and shade on the outer façade of the two-story public space of the house," Petrarca said. "To meet the objectives of a LEED for Homes Silver Project, we have ourselves. Not only is it 100 percent recyclable for zinc as an essential feature in the external composition of the materials, but it is also durable and low maintenance with lifespan of nearly 100 years. This was very appealing to the customers. "
The "Greenville House" as its architects call it, is now a certified LEED for Homes Silver and Energy Star-rated home and was featured in Architectural Record in April 2010. The project won a 2010 AIA NC Cote (Committee on the Environment) Environmental Design Award, and this year received a Chairman's Award from the Metal Constructors Association. The judges for the latter, "applauded the choice, use zinc, given the sustainable features of the building owner went for it."
As in the Greenville house, aesthetics are an issue for designers, see the zinc roofs and cladding as a sustainable product that is both modern and traditional styles, and this is beautifully blends with other materials. Zinc metal is very malleable, so it can adapt to a variety of architectural styles, from angular and curved. Zinc plates are manufactured in a variety of shapes, undulating waves of parallel ridges and interlocking hexagons to another artistic element to the roof of a house or a total envelope.
In his blog "Life Of An Architect", Dallas, Texas-based architect Bob Borson introduced in August 2011: "Despite the fact that zinc is metal, there is an amazing visual and physical softness to it." If he had written this post, he waited to see the installation of zinc standing seam metal panels on a modern, infill housing project he had determined. "We are actually two different colors on the job," he said, "a beautiful gray zinc called Quartz and a mind-exploding black zinc called Anthra." Both are products of VMZINC Umicore. "
In New Caanan, Connecticutt, architects Joeb Moore + Partners Zinc and Cedar Cabinet combines a 5300 square foot house to create "inclusion of contemporary and green technologies and products." The exterior of the three-level house is dramatically stimulated by the juxtaposition of anthracite zinc and the warm, honey-colored tones of cedar siding.
Residential renovation Renovation is a growing segment in residential zinc applications. Many antebellum homes in the United States had lead or tin roofs. Replace them with zinc maintains the appearance of the original materials with the modern benefits of sustainability and a lifetime worth of low maintenance protection from the elements.
"As more and more homeowners are choosing quality over cost and sustainability in home renovations, they choose zinc over other materials," Well, who notes that the residential renovation building products is always an integral part of the business VMZINC said. "We have seen houses zinc used for small houses and porches and large estate., It is often chosen for the fireplace surrounds and kitchen countertops, as well, along with rainwater goods."
Ornametals Manufacturing LLC is VMZINC with rainwater goods in its 2011 EuroGutterUSA product offering. The company manufactures a complete rainwater including half-round gutter, seamless weld downspouts, and all accessories in natural VMZINC, QUARTZ-ZINC and ANTHRA zinc.
"VMZINC rainwater goods are a popular choice for those who prefer gray to charcoal shadow to match the rest of the house," said Günther Huber, president of Ornametals. "We find that more and more people prefer the look of zinc, especially considering its high quality and durability."
Historic Restoration: sustainable value for Heritage Homes "A bird's eye view of Paris shines with the natural patina of zinc," TLC Cristin Conger wrote in an article entitled "Is The New Green Zinc standard for building?" She goes on to say. "In the late 1800s, zinc as the material of choice for roofs of Paris once metallurgists had honed the process of smelting zinc in leaves, the metal, especially in Belgium, France and Germany, some of these original roofs still crown was popular Two hundred years later. the historic building. "
Zinc is a viable and non-toxic choice for historical / heritage houses that are meant to last forever as part of a nation's architectural heritage - as Europeans have willingly accepted and early American designers and builders, including Thomas Jefferson, recognized. A roof, the last maintenance free for up to 100 years, basically, seems an obvious choice for a historic home, especially since today's metal alloy was standardized and improved, and is therefore assumed that a more durable product to be than ever before.
"A 80 - to 100-year life span makes zinc a legacy material," Dan VMZINC Beautifully said. "A house with a zinc designed to last generations."
In a guide to the selection of roofing materials and repairs to historic buildings in the United States, in the old house journal published Sarah Sweetser of the National Trust for Historic Preservation says: "A poor roof enable the accelerated deterioration of historic building materials - masonry, wood , plaster, paint - and leads to the general disintegration of the basic structure. "
In 2006, John Leeke wrote, preservation consultant for Historic Home Works.com of Portland, ME, during a conference on roofing repairs in post-Katrina New Orleans: "It is my experience that long-term damage often results in modern building materials are used in historical buildings introduced. "
The value of maintenance of zinc factor was underlined at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, when the decision was made for zinc are two projects, including the Hall for Humanities and Research Administration use. The university admitted that construction budgets to well-funded, but maintenance budgets are not prone. The self-healing zinc characteristic was another factor in the decision as aesthetics:
"Zinc worked well because of the appearance," said Andy Sykes of Calloway Johnson Moore & West, PA, in North Carolina, project manager for the Hall of Humanities "project." The color was similar to saw what historical turning-coated roofs like lead and mixed with the traditional campus roofs "(Source: McGraw-Hill Construction, Continuing Education Center).
The aesthetic quality of architectural zinc for historic buildings was a key issue for the Central Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama, if the Cooper House renovated a house that antebellum nearby is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to its become a new family life center. The old house needs a new roof and rain water system, which would in the historical style, and finally also in the future in line with the house.
Hays Buchanan, the architect of the church project chose natural VMZINC "for his historically correct gray color, strength and durability," says Design & Build With Metal.com recently.
While zinc is often used in contemporary applications, the Cooper House project is a perfect example of why it is a natural choice for historic restoration: the color, in this case the natural VMZINC is historically accurate, aesthetically pleasing, durable and determined last for decades. Moreover, production techniques, make it possible to obtain the unique appearance of the natural metal with consistent color. Natural VMZINC not develop a drastically different patina like copper, for example, that changes from its copper color to green. Instead, it defies form over the years to create a textured patina.
Design and construction with Metal.com also reported that Central Presbyterian Church leaders and Huntsville / Madison County Historical Society "easily approved the application [of zinc roofing and rainwater system] than in accordance with the historic architecture of the building."
Will residential use of Zinc sweep America? After rhapsodizing about the beauty, value and sustainability of architectural zinc, Dallas architect Bob Borson answered the question he knew that his blog readers would ask: Why is not more zinc in residential design?
"The reason why we do not use it more often because of the price," wrote Borson. "For the average standing seam metal roofing material and labor costs will run you in the ballpark of $ 20 per square foot."
For a young family built their first home, or seniors replaced the roof of a house in which they have lived for over 50 years, the cost is understandably prohibitive. But for new, modern homes from North Carolina to California, elegant stands in the northeast or northwest, a mid-century or old farmhouse renovated in Florida or Kentucky, or a historic home in the heart of Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans' French Quarter, et al, the durability and the sheer beauty of zinc roofing and wall cladding will continue to gain popularity as essential for sustainable, energy-efficient homes grows stronger....
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