Natural zinc
Rolled sheet with no surface treatment. Bright at first, it naturally develops its blue-grey patina over months or years.
Technical page
Zinc and Copper Materials for Architecture
Everything you need to know about the materials we use: zinc in its various forms (natural, pre-patinated, pigmented, lacquered) and rolled copper.
This page covers everything you need to know about the materials we use: zinc in its various forms (natural, pre-patinated, pigmented, lacquered) and rolled copper. We work exclusively with sheet from the three major European references (VMZINC, elZinc, and RHEINZINK), per the EN 988 standard, with traceable provenance and certified composition. This is ZincArt's technical page — your starting point for choosing, with us or your designer, the right material for your project.
Zinc alloy
What zinc actually is
The term "zinc" in construction refers, in practice, to a rolled alloy regulated by the European EN 988 standard.
Composition
High-purity alloy
The base alloy starts from very high-purity electrolytic zinc (Z1 grade, around 99.995% zinc) with small additions of titanium (0.06–0.2%) and copper (0.08–1.0%). Titanium improves creep resistance — essential for sheet exposed to sun that expands and contracts daily. Copper increases hardness and mechanical strength.
Pre-patinated finishes
QUARTZ-ZINC, ANTHRA-ZINC, and equivalents
QUARTZ-ZINC (VMZINC) is a stable light-grey finish achieved at the factory through a controlled chemical process. It eliminates the visual aging phase and delivers a uniform color from day one. ANTHRA-ZINC, the dark graphite-grey version, contrasts beautifully with glass, wood, and exposed concrete. Equivalents from other brands: elZinc Slate / Graphite, RHEINZINK prePATINA blaugrau / schiefergrau.
Distinctive colors and textures
PIGMENTO, AZENGAR, and lacquered zinc
PIGMENTO (VMZINC) is a colored range with mineral pigmentation applied over the pre-patinated base, available in blue, brown, green, and red. AZENGAR is a white pre-patinated finish with a hammered/granular surface for distinctive solutions. For long-term color stability or contact with sensitive rainwater, we use bilaminate sheet with polymer coating on both faces.
Rolled copper
Copper for roofs and cladding
Rolled copper is the material with the deepest historical presence in European architecture — present on medieval churches, palaces, and many iconic contemporary buildings.
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Three-stage visual evolution
From the initial golden-orange, it shifts over the years to dark brown and then to its characteristic green patina (basic copper carbonate).
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Service life over 100 years
The green layer is an extraordinarily stable protective film that extends the roof's service life beyond 100 years.
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Versatile use
Main roofs, dome cladding, gutters, downpipes, copings, and finishes for restoration or new architecture. Naturally antibacterial properties useful in healthcare facilities.
Spec sheet
Technical characteristics
For designers and architects, the key reference values for zinc and copper.
| Property | Titanium-Zinc | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.2 kg/dm³ | 8.9 kg/dm³ |
| Melting point | 419.5 °C | 1,085 °C |
| Expansion coefficient | 0.022 mm/m/°C | 0.017 mm/m/°C |
| Recyclability | 100% | 100% |
| Service life (rural environment) | 80-100 years | 100+ years |
| European standard | EN 988 / EN/DIN 1179 | EN 1172 |
The relatively high thermal expansion requires properly sized expansion joints and respect for minimum slopes (as a rule, 5% for standing seam roofs — see details on the zinc and copper roofing and zinc and copper facades pages).
Finishes
Full range of finishes
We work with the full range available on the European market, from natural zinc to mineral pigmentation.
Light pre-patinated
QUARTZ-ZINC (VMZINC), elZinc Slate, RHEINZINK prePATINA blaugrau. Uniform light-grey color, stable from day one.
Dark pre-patinated
ANTHRA-ZINC (VMZINC), elZinc Graphite, RHEINZINK prePATINA schiefergrau. Contemporary graphite grey.
PIGMENTO
Colored range with mineral pigmentation over the pre-patinated base: blue, brown, green, and red. Keeps the texture of zinc.
AZENGAR
White pre-patinated finish with hammered/granular surface. Distinctive high-visibility solutions for signature architecture.
Rolled copper
From the initial golden-orange to the characteristic green patina. Ideal for restoration and long-life roofs.
Compliance
Standards and certification
Every material we use complies with specific European standards:
- EN 988
- European specification for rolled zinc and zinc alloy sheet and strip used in construction.
- EN 1172
- Equivalent for copper and copper alloys used in construction.
- EN/DIN 1179
- Characteristics of high-purity electrolytic zinc (Z1 grade) used as raw material.
Citing these standards isn't a bureaucratic detail — it's the guarantee that the material we install has factory-verified composition, thickness, and mechanical properties. For public projects and works under technical supervision, we provide manufacturer datasheets and declarations of performance on request.
Lifecycle
Sustainability and lifecycle
Zinc and copper are 100% recyclable with no loss of properties — an end-of-life sheet can return to the foundry and become new sheet indefinitely. Embodied energy per square meter is low compared to the 80–100 year service life: the environmental cost per year of service is very favorable. On-site maintenance is essentially zero, eliminating the painting or surface-treatment cycles other solutions require.
Documentation
Datasheets and technical files
Manufacturer technical documentation available on request for designers and inspectors.
PDF · on request
VMZINC — Datasheet
Specifications for QUARTZ-ZINC, ANTHRA-ZINC, PIGMENTO, and AZENGAR
PDF · on request
elZinc — Datasheet
Natural, Slate, and Graphite range with thickness tables
PDF · on request
RHEINZINK — DoP
Declaration of Performance for prePATINA blaugrau and schiefergrau
PDF · on request
EN 988 — Summary
Summary of the European standard for zinc in construction
PDF · on request
EN 1172 — Summary
Summary of the European standard for rolled copper in construction
PDF · on request
Construction details
Technical guides for standing seam, ventilated facades, and drainage
Which material should you choose for your project?
Every project has its own constraints — sun exposure, proximity to the sea, roof slope, maximum allowable load, architectural intent, budget. There's no universal "best material": there's the right material for each case.
See also our zinc and copper drainage services and the portfolio to see finishes applied in real-world contexts. Talk to our technical team for a free recommendation.
Technical advice
Need help choosing the material?
Our technical team will recommend the right material for your exposure, slope, and budget. No cost, no commitment.