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Choosing a Metal Fabrication Company: What You Need to Look For

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When it comes to preparing for architectural and construction projects, choosing the right metal fabrication company to supply your raw materials is a choice that’s both vitally important and potentially very tricky. Many companies seem very similar to one another on the surface, and it can be hard to decide who is ultimately trustworthy and reliable enough to commit to. 

For many designers and architects, the answer to this conundrum is as simple as “who offers the lowest rates?” However, there are many other vitally important factors at play when it comes to deciding on a metal fabrication company, and this article will walk you through all the most important ones.

Experience

Anyone deciding between competing companies should consider how long each of those companies has been in business. Any well-established firm will have a “portfolio” of past projects demonstrating not only the quality of their work, but also the type and scale of projects they have experience with.

Experience gives a company a wider range of proven solutions on prior projects to draw on. Experience allows a company to have seen the larger picture.

Workforce

Another vital factor that you must consider is the size of the workforce available at different companies. Ultimately you need to choose a business with a staff that’s sufficiently big to complete your project on your schedule, and major projects will require a major staffing pool. You need to be sure that the employees at the manufacturer are highly skilled, experienced, and capable of delivering top results on your project. 

Location

While an architectural metal company located in your own city will definitely save on shipping costs, it may be that the only firms with the expertise or equipment that your project requires are located further afield. While a local metal fabricator is an attractive choice, you shouldn’t limit your search to your immediate area – better a more expensive manufacturer a few cities over than a local company that won’t meet your needs. 

Equipment & Capabilities

Most metal fabrication companies will have a particular arena of expertise or specialization that will determine both the kinds of projects they take on and the kind of equipment and facilities available to them. A firm that specializes in manufacturing car parts is probably not the right choice if you need metal cladding for the exterior of a building. 

The best companies have invested enough in themselves to have access to cutting edge technology and fabrication processes, and are fully prepared to provide high quality metal of the right type, grade, and gauge for your project. 

Quality of Work

Naturally, anyone looking for a metal fabricator wants a company that can produce high quality materials. Apart from looking at past work and reviews from old customers, you can identify a reliable company by ensuring that they’re familiar with quality standards and by asking about their QA process and how the company ensures their work complies with it. 

Pricing

We mentioned that pricing is the only consideration on many designer’s minds when deciding between metal fabrication companies. While it’s a bad idea for cost to be the only factor in your decision, it’s undeniably an important part of the equation. 

Be informed of what average market prices are by looking into different options, and be cautious of anyone charging much more or much less than average rates. Lastly, when considering a price quote, be careful that every area of your project is outlined and accurately represented in your estimate to avoid surprise costs. 

Finishing

It must be remembered that the actual, physical construction of your project is only part of the process – the construction materials must be blasted, painted, and finished as well. Choosing a company that doesn’t have the capability to fully process architectural metal will end up costing your project extra time and money as they have to subcontract another firm to actually finish the materials. To optimize cost and efficiency you should choose a metal manufacturer who can do it all. 

Stability & Dependability 

For those who like to be very thorough and don’t mind a bit of extra research, you can also look into the overall dependability of a metal fabricator. This can be done by asking a company for references, looking them up on the BBB, or by asking them about their financial practices. A company that can direct you to multiple happy customers or one with a reputation for always paying their suppliers on time is generally a company you can trust. 

Choosing the Best

Although it isn’t necessarily easy, making a smart choice about a metal manufacturer is a necessity for any successful architectural project. Fortunately, MetalTech Global meets all the requirements for a reliable, high quality, fabricator you can trust. 

MetalTech Global are the most experienced in the country with manufacturing, designing, and engineering of zinc building enveloping systems. With years of experience in the field, we are the top fabricator and distributor of coil, sheet, and finished architectural metal in the country, and the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America. With our state of the art facilities we are capable of processing, reprocessing, and custom manufacturing zinc, copper, steel, and more to fit any need for our clients. Contact us today for a consultation on what we can do to help your next project succeed. 

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Is Zinc Good for Cladding?

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Although it has a history of usage in Europe dating back several hundred of years, it’s only been recently that zinc has begun to gain popularity as an architectural metal in the United States. 

This rise in popularity of the metal is a good thing for American architects and contractors since zinc has a wide range of uses and offers a variety of benefits as a construction material. This article will specifically focus on the virtues that zinc offers when used for cladding, and all the reasons why this metal is fast becoming a popular and widespread phenomena in architecture. 

Aesthetic Appeal

One of the first reasons to consider zinc for cladding is the simple fact that it’s an attractive, aesthetically pleasing material, and will retain this quality throughout its lifetime, rather than fading and degrading as it ages. 

When first installed, zinc cladding will have a shiny metallic sheen, but as time goes on the metal will develop into a more muted, matte color. This color change occurs because, as zinc is exposed to the moisture and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, it generates a protective layer of zinc carbonate on its surface, producing its trademark blueish patina. Because the aesthetic qualities of zinc patina are broadly admired, zinc cladding can also be bought pre-patinated,

Ultimately, this distinctive patina means that zinc looks just as appropriate when used on an ultra-modern new construction project as it does in the historic roofs and decorative elements of European buildings hundreds of years old. 

Durability

One of the major draws of zinc is its naturally long service life as a construction material – zinc roofs and cladding can last for a century in a low-pollution urban environment, and can withstand highly saline conditions in marine environments for 60 to 80 years. This resilience is due to zinc’s patina, which protects the metal from moisture, rendering zinc weather proof, corrosion resistant, and naturally antimicrobial. The patina will even “heal” itself over time, naturally eliminating minor scratches and surface damage. 

This durability and resistance to natural wear makes zinc a highly cost effective option as well – not only will zinc save money by not requiring regular repairs or maintenance over its long life, but the base cost of zinc rolls or sheets is lower than other popular architectural metals such as copper or stainless steel. 

Workability

Zinc is a highly malleable metal, which means that it can be produced into a vast range of shapes to suit many different architectural needs – it can be cast and rolled into simple sheets for basic cladding, or shaped into elaborate and detailed decorative elements. 

As a thin metal, with sheets generally measuring 0.7mm, zinc can be arranged into a huge range of angles and curves, making it ideal for structures with unusual exteriors. In fact, zinc can easily be used to cover the entire envelope of a building

Increasingly popular is the use of perforated zinc cladding for decorative elements, as seen in our PixArt pieces, a technique that allows for anything from abstract designs to creating detailed images. In addition to its aesthetic virtues, perforated cladding naturally requires less raw material than a solid sheet, which can make it an attractive option when working on a budget. 

Environmentally Friendly

In addition to being both extremely durable and flexible, zinc offers distinct environmental advantages over other metals commonly used in cladding. Firstly, it has a very high rate of reuse, being nearly 100% recyclable (around 30% of the world’s zinc currently in use is recycled). This allows for a more cyclical life for architectural zinc, a significant change from the current global systems which prefer to create, use, and then discard materials. 

In addition to being hugely reusable, zinc has a lower melting point than common construction metals like aluminum or copper. This means that zinc production requires less energy on a broad industrial level, thus producing fewer emissions and saving on resources. 

Lastly, zinc doesn’t produce any harmful pollutants that can runoff into the earth when rain water comes in contact with it. This is in contrast to metals like lead which can leech oxides into the soil, or copper whose antifungal qualities make it inappropriate to use as roofing near areas with vegetation. 

Consider Zinc for Your Next project

Durable, environmentally sustainable, flexible, and cost effective – it’s hardly surprising why zinc is on the rise as a popular architectural metal. As the single largest stocking center in North America, MetalTech Global can meet any and all of your architectural metal needs. 

We are equipped with our own processing facilities, are capable of custom fabrication, as well as processing and reprocessing zinc sheets and coils for our customers. From simple paneling and cladding to elaborate decorative elements, contact us for a consultation on what zinc can do for your next project. 

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Choosing the Best Metal Cladding for Your Building Project

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It could hardly be considered surprising that metal cladding is becoming increasingly popular in modern architecture. It has a place in a wide range of projects from agricultural buildings, to individual homes, to large scale commercial construction. This versatility of use is due to the wide variety of materials, colors, shapes, and designs that can be achieved with metal cladding. 

For a modern architect planning their next project, this range of choice begs the question: of all the options available, which is best for me and my goals? 

When it comes to metal cladding, nearly every project will use one of four options: stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, or copper. While there are other choices available (including an alloy of two of those metals), most projects will opt for one of the four. This article will examine each of these architectural metals and present the advantages, drawbacks, and key qualities of each material. 

Steel

In a certain sense, stainless steel is the most low-end option compared to aluminum, zinc, or copper – it is the heaviest of the four metals, which puts practical limits on the amount of steel cladding a structure can support. Steel is also the least durable, needing to be replaced whole decades before copper or zinc cladding would need the same. 

Despite having several drawbacks, steel is still a highly viable and flexible choice. Steel is almost always the cheapest metal in terms of upfront material costs, and although it is less durable, it will still last 35 to 40 years (depending on the coating of the steel) before needing replacement. Although steel is the only of the four metals naturally vulnerable to rust and corrosion, it achieves a multi-decade lifespan with a protective outer layer, typically either hot-dip galvanization with zinc or zinc-aluminum alloy or a polymer lacquer. This outer treatment has the added benefit of providing a range of color choices. 

Aluminum

Aluminum is the main competitor to steel since it’s also an inexpensive material relative to high-end metals like copper or zinc. In addition to being cost effective, aluminum is the most lightweight of the four materials, offering obvious benefits in terms of minimizing the total load on structures and potentially limiting the outlay on foundations. This relative lightness also makes aluminum very easy to bend and work on site, making it especially well suited to unusual, innovative, and futuristic cladding schemes. 

Aluminum is comparable to steel in terms of its durability, lasting for around 40 years based on the coating used, and can be produced in a variety of colors and textures based on the artificial coating it’s treated with, allowing for highly defined and lasting patterns not achievable with other metals. 

Lastly aluminum has a high expansion coefficient, meaning that it will contract and expand noticeably based on the surrounding temperature, which must be considered before committing to using aluminum in construction. 

Copper

Copper has a well-earned reputation as one of the most high-end premium architectural metals on the market. It’s aesthetically pleasing and is incredibly durable while still being comparatively light weight. Unlike aluminum and stainless steel, copper will naturally form a protective patina that protects it from corrosion and minor scratches. Newly installed copper will be the traditional reddish gold color, and, as it’s exposed to air, will transition over time through shades of brown before reaching the famous pale greenish-blue. 

All of these attractive qualities do come with downsides however as copper is the most expensive of the four metals by a noticeable margin, making it difficult if not sometimes impossible to cover large surfaces on a budget. Copper’s value can also make it a target for potential theft by people looking to resell the metal as scrap. 

Zinc

While none of the metals on this list could strictly be called the “best” of the four options, there is a lot to like about zinc. Zinc shares many of copper’s most desirable traits – it naturally forms a protective patina that protects the metal from corrosion and light physical damage, allowing zinc cladding to endure a century with little or no maintenance. Zinc is also aesthetically pleasing, its stately grays and dark blues equally appropriate for ultra-modernism and the “historic” look associated with 18th century decorative architecture. 

Like the other metals, aluminum, steel, and copper, zinc is highly workable, capable of being manufactured in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and textures, and can be used to cover the entire outer envelope of a building, even those with complex or avant-garde designs. Although zinc is more expensive than steel or aluminum, it is still a common enough material (the 24th most common on Earth) that it’s noticeably cheaper than copper, and is less at risk of being stolen than the more valuable material. 

In light of all this, zinc’s current rise in popularity makes sense – it bridges the gap between high and low-end materials, offering the key benefits of a high-end metal like copper while still being more affordable. 

Consult with Metal Experts Before Your Next Project 

If you are considering metal cladding for your next architectural project, set up a consultation with the experts in the field – MetalTech Global. We are the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America, with facilities that allow us to process and reprocess zinc to order for our clients. Capable of producing custom sheets and coils of architectural metals for our clients, we’re known for high quality, expertise and quick shipping. Contact us today for a consultation on your next project.

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The History of Cast Zinc in Architecture: Can it Still be Done Today?

The human species has known about zinc for a long time, with civilizations as ancient as Rome being aware of the element, though they only knew it in a powder form they called “cadmia”, an accidental afterproduct of copper smelting. The Romans smelted cadmia with copper to create brass, and later even used more purified zinc powder as medicine. 

Humans as a species have come a long way since then, and so has our relationship with- and understanding of zinc. As a highly flexible metal (both literally and figuratively), zinc boasts a vast array of uses from prototyping products, building small components in electronics, and for use in architecture and construction. 

This article will examine specifically that last usage, specifically cast zinc as it’s been used in architecture. We’ll look at how it has been used historically, as well as consider where zinc stands in the modern market, and how viable and valuable it is to modern architects and designers. 

Historic Uses of Cast Zinc

While humans have technically used the metal since at least the Roman era, it wasn’t until a few hundred years ago that we really began to understand and widely use zinc. The first decade of the 19th century saw the first major production center for extracting, processing, and smelting zinc, as well as the discovery of how to roll zinc into sheets so useful for lightweight and durable roofing.

While many were still trying to come up with the best uses for the metal, it wasn’t until the 1830s that the process of hollow casting zinc was discovered. Beginning in Germany and Austria (where the casting process was discovered and perfected) over the next few decades of the 19th century, Europe saw an explosion of decorative zinc, from interior elements like lamps, statutes, and pedestals, to exterior features like cornices, door dressing, columns, and balconies. 

Since it is very easily molded, is cheaper than stone, and can be easily painted to resemble more expensive metals, cast zinc quickly replaced or became a common alternative for other building materials in much of Europe. Zinc soon replaced iron used for ornaments and cladding since the finer elements on large architectural pieces made from cast iron tended to come out impure or imperfect. It even replaced some carved wood filigree since cast zinc could offer equal levels of detail, improved durability over wood, and still had a lower price than other durable metals like copper. 

In the United States, zinc was historically popular in New York City in the last half of the 19th century in the form of roofing and statuary made of cast zinc. Although zinc started to decline in popularity at the start of the 1900s, more or less disappearing in common use by the 1950s, many historic statues in the US (such as the famous Puck statue posed on the Puck Magazine building in New York) are made from zinc. 

Can it Be Done Today?

With all this information in mind, we’re able to consider the main question of this article – is zinc still a viable and relevant architectural metal? At MetalTech Global, we can confidently say from our own experience that the answer is a clear “yes.” As the only architectural metals company in the USA (and possibly the world) with our own in-house zinc foundry and casting facility, we’re constantly exploring and improving upon construction and design. 

With our custom in-house zinc fabrication facility, we are able to create everything from intricate art pieces of cast zinc to custom designed wall paneling and cast facade pieces, all from recycled, post-processed zinc scrap captured during the production process, smelted into ingots, and cast into one-of-a-kind custom pieces for your installation.   

Beyond the historic uses of zinc discussed in this article (roofing, statues, and decorative elements) cast zinc in the modern marketplace can be used for cladding, facades, and wall paneling in a variety of styles and functionalities. From flatlock panels of varying shape and size, to slot-in facade and cassette panels, to corrugated panels that regulate light and temperature around a building’s exterior, zinc has an incredible range of uses in modern architecture, and MetalTech Global is at the forefront of this next evolution of architectural metals.

Choosing Zinc for Your Next Project

With years of experience in the field, MetalTech Global is a trusted manufacturer and distributor of sustainable architectural metals. We envision a world where buildings are constructed with efficiency and durability in mind, intentionally designed to stand sustainably for decades with little need for repair or replacement. Because it’s durable, highly recyclable, more cost effective than similar metals, and easily cast into different shapes, zinc is the ideal material for meeting our goal. 

In addition to practical benefits, cast zinc is aesthetically pleasing and flexible, and with the ability to fabricate cast zinc to order for construction projects, MetalTech Global can generate anything from simple paneling to unique artistic creations. For example, carefully perforated zinc sheets are used to produce our “PixArt”, as seen on The Star, home of the Dallas Cowboys, or the Solar Decathlon in China. 

As the largest stocking center for architectural zinc in the United States, MetalTech Global is here to offer its expertise in realizing the full potential of your company’s next project. Request a quote for your project today!

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Standing the Test of Time: Zinc Roofing

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Although roofers in Europe have long been familiar with zinc as a construction material, this metal is only just beginning to come into fashion in the United States. However, in Europe, especially countries like Belgium, France, and Germany, many to most urban homes use zinc roofing (roughly 85% of roofs in Paris are made of zinc). Its popularity is no small wonder, given that zinc offers a wide variety of advantages over other similar materials used in roofing and cladding. 

This article will offer insight into the reasons why this zinc is so highly desirable. In particular, we will consider the advantages of zinc and consider just how suitable it is as a construction material.

Durability

Perhaps the single most desirable aspect of zinc is its incredible durability as a construction material. This strength comes from the fact that zinc roofing will naturally last for decades (up to a century) before needing replacement, and requires very little maintenance in order to do so.

Longevity

Zinc will naturally last much longer than the other common roofing choices in America. Asphalt shingles (currently the most common material for roofing in the US) will need to be fully replaced roughly once every ten years. Cast steel sheets are certainly more durable in comparison, but in order for steel to last as long as zinc, it must be galvanized (generally with a coating made up of aluminum and zinc). The only other roofing material that can naturally last as long as zinc is copper, but it tends to be a much costlier option, potentially even prohibitively so. Zinc offers a perfect middle ground of extreme durability while still being competitively priced. 

Low Maintenance

The next major factor contributing to zinc’s incredible durability is the fact that, not only will zinc roofing last for several decades, it will require very little maintenance in order to do so. This is thanks to zinc’s patina, a protective outer layer that will form naturally over time. When a zinc roof is first installed, it will start off a very dark gray color. Over time the metal will oxidize and change to a lighter gray or bluish color. 

This patina process protects a zinc roof in two ways. Firstly, the oxidized outer layer will naturally protect the metal from rust or any kind of damage that may result from exposure to moisture or air over time. Secondly, zinc’s patina actually allows the metal to self-heal from damage. While a zinc roof can be scratched or damaged on the surface, the continual oxidation process will eventually “heal” over the damage with a fresh layer of patina, eliminating the need for repairs on anything but major damage. 

Due to the desirable qualities of a patina, it’s possible (and common) to purchase zinc roofing that is pre-patinated so that this defensive layer is already established as soon as the roof is installed. 

Other Benefits of Zinc

Apart from its incredible lifespan, there are several other factors contributing to zinc’s overall attractiveness as a roofing material.

Natural Antimicrobial Properties

In addition to its other benefits, zinc has one more strength that contributes to its longevity as a construction material – it is naturally antimicrobial. Zinc is even commonly used as an ingredient in oral hygiene products for this very reason. This means that algae, moss, lichen, and mildew will not be able to take root and grow on a zinc roof, eliminating yet another maintenance need common in other roofing materials. 

Sustainability

Zinc’s sustainability is another factor making it a good choice for roofing in the long run. Zinc requires less energy than aluminum or copper to smelt and process, is up to 100% recyclable, and is a naturally highly abundant metal (the 24th most common found on Earth). This sustainability means that not only will zinc roofs last a long time, we can continue to produce them for a long time with reduced harm to the environment. 

Using Zinc for Your Next Construction Project

MetalTech Global is the nation’s premiere distributor and fabricator of coil, sheet and finished architectural metals products. Working with our affiliates, we are promoting the use of sustainable metal products in the building. 

We envision that home and commercial construction will be committed to using only durable and reusable products. MetalTech Global can help your commitment be successful as durability, reusability, and sustainability is our area of expertise. We work with companies like elZinc America, VMZinc, Lorin Industries, and Hussey Copper to provide the highest quality architectural products in natural metals. 

While zinc has been used extensively in Europe for hundreds of years, it is a relatively new building metal in North America, and its potential for robust, beautiful structures is unmatched. As of 2021, MetalTech Global is the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America, with the capability of re-processing sheets and coils for customers on demand.

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more!

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Environmental Considerations – Zinc Sheet

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Any modern architect working in the world today knows that the range of potential materials available for construction projects is larger than it ever has been, and likely to only increase over time. This brings us to zinc – a material that humanity has used in construction and architecture since approximately the 19th century. 

While zinc has been in use in the world of architecture for well over a century, it hasn’t always been a popular or commonly used material, though its use is becoming more widespread in modern architectural projects. There are a variety of reasons for this rise in popularity, not least of which is the fact that zinc is a material that allows for a variety of unique shapes and structures in construction. It can be used for singular and visually fascinating designs, or more simply as an effective option for roofing or siding. Due to its flexibility, zinc should be a strong consideration for any architect interested in creating unique designs with custom metal fabrication.

But modern construction prioritizes more than aesthetics, as environmentally friendly construction becomes more and more in demand to accommodate both new regulations and independent green initiatives. This article will offer an overview of the key environmental considerations of zinc as a construction material.

Zinc Production

 Let us first take a look at how zinc sheet is produced. This process breaks down into four basic steps:

Alloying is the initial step, where zinc ore is melted into liquid and combined with a carefully measured amount of alloying elements like copper, titanium, or aluminum. 

Casting is the process where the liquid metal is poured into a casting machine and solidified in the form of a solid sheet of metal which is usually 12 millimeters thick and one meter wide. This carefully controlled process allows the machinery involved to produce a fine, homogenous grain structure in the metal. 

Rolling involves passing the zinc sheet under heavy rolling machinery three to five times to reduce it to the desired thickness and cool the metal. Again, the process is carefully monitored and controlled to produce the desired mechanical properties in the material.

Slitting and packaging is the final stage involves cutting the now rolled zinc into either sheets or coils so it can be sold and used. 

Environmental Benefits of Zinc

Zinc is an environmentally friendly option for construction and architecture. Its “green” benefits can generally be broken down into three categories – the production process, its effective lifetime as a construction material, and its recyclability. 

Production:

Like nearly all construction materials, zinc must be extracted from the Earth with mining technology and techniques. However, zinc does offer an ecological advantage over other similar materials. Due to its lower melting point, less energy is required to process zinc ore into a metal, needing only around half of the heat energy needed to produce copper or steel, and only 25% of the energy needed for aluminum. Likewise, the amount of zinc present in the earth has seen no appreciable decline in the history of its use as a production material.

Lifetime Duration:

Zinc offers another distinct ecological advantage in its longevity. When processed into its pure form used in construction, zinc develops a thin outer layer (or “patina”) over its surface which protects the metal from environmental forces such wind or rain. This patina can also protect the metal from scratches or other forms of direct physical harm, as it is self-healing, preserving its aesthetic and durability. 

These characteristics make zinc a popular choice in a variety of architectural needs, but especially as roofing and wall cladding. Many European countries contain houses whose zinc roofs were originally built in the 19th century and are still in good repair today. 

On top of the added perk of a reduced need for maintenance, this durability offers an obvious ecological benefit in that zinc installations will last for a long time without needing to be replaced, and thus reducing demand for creating new materials. This is an obvious benefit over previously popular options like asphalt shingles, which need to be thrown out and replaced after about a decade. 

Recycling:

The final environmental advantage that zinc offers is that it’s completely recyclable. This means that it can be produced easily and effectively from old material taken from demolished or re-roofed structures. Indeed, zinc as a raw material is nearly 100% recyclable, a figure that drops only to 95% recyclable when dealing with zinc used as roofing or cladding. 

All of this reduces the demand for raw zinc extracted through mining, which offers a huge ecological boon over other materials with less robust recyclability. Between 90 to 95% of zinc used in the architectural industry comes from recycled materials. Old zinc panels or sheets will be used as raw material in the alloying phase of production, being melted down and recombined with alloying elements to create new zinc sheets. 

Using Zinc Sheet for Your Next Project

MetalTech Global is the nation’s premiere distributor and fabricator of coil, sheet and finished architectural metals products. Working with our affiliates, we are promoting the use of sustainable metal products in the building. 

We envision that home and commercial construction will be committed to using only durable and reusable products. MetalTech Global can help your commitment be successful as durability, reusability, and sustainability is our area of expertise. We work with VMZinc to provide the highest quality architectural products in natural metals. 

While zinc has been used extensively in Europe for hundreds of years, it is a relatively new building metal in North America, and its potential for robust, beautiful structures is unmatched. As of 2021, MetalTech Global is the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America, with the capability of re-processing sheets and coils for customers on demand.

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more!

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Zinc And Sustainable Development

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zinc sheets

Designing a building with Zinc Sheets And Sustainable Development materials that will hold up to the elements and time is often a challenge for builders. We understand how difficult it can be to choose the best sustainable products while still meeting project milestones. Your construction design must consider the types of materials used, material lifetime, and carbon footprint to be environmentally friendly.

We have many years of experience supplying architectural metals to builders and know which materials work best for each design. Out of all the metals we work with, zinc stands out as the most versatile sustainable material we offer.

Zinc has many attributes that make it a good candidate for sustainable development for years to come. Below we’ll describe why you should consider choosing zinc as your architectural metal of choice.

What Is Zinc’s Environmental Impact?

Zinc is a vital element for the environment. We find it in the soil worldwide, and living things require small amounts to survive. The process of manufacturing zinc does not increase the amount of zinc within the soil nor harm water sources. The majority of environmental impacts of zinc production are from energy usage during primary production — creating zinc alloy directly from ore without the inclusion of recycled products. We’ll touch on recyclability shortly.

Production

Zinc production’s most significant environmental impact is the energy demands required during mining and refining. For each meter squared of zinc sheeting produced, the process releases 16.02 kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Since most of the carbon footprint of producing zinc is because of primary zinc production, higher recycling percentages continue to lower the toll it places upon the environment. The zinc production industry strives to lower energy usage by employing green energy alternatives and recycling as much zinc scrap as possible.

Recyclability

Zinc is entirely recyclable and does not lose quality nor properties no matter how many times it goes through the recycling process. In many cases, zinc alloy producers recycle up to 95% of the available zinc scrap. It’s estimated that approximately 30% of all produced zinc is from zinc scrap, and the remaining 70% is from mined ore. Each year the quantity of recycled zinc increases as refining technology advances towards the goal of recycling 100% of all zinc scrap.

How Long Is Zinc’s Lifespan?

Architectural zinc has a long lifespan of at least 100 years or more, depending on the location and the environment. The combination of metals that make up zinc alloy— zinc, copper, titanium, and aluminum, add strength and can handle changes in temperature without becoming brittle. Another factor contributing to zinc’s lifespan is the patina that forms on the outside over time. The natural patina forms due to oxidation, forming a protective layer over the zinc sheeting that can help “heal” scratches, gouges, and other minor imperfections in the surface.

Factors that Affect Lifespan

Few factors affect the lifespan of zinc. Saltwater weakens the natural patina that forms on the outside of zinc sheets. Therefore, zinc sheeting along bodies of saltwater without significant rainfall requires protective coatings to prevent accelerated wear. Acid rain also affects zinc sheeting similarly to saltwater by corroding the surface. It should be noted that zinc is highly corrosion resistant, however these factors are relevant to the lifespan and breakdown of any metal.

Is Zinc a Sustainable Resource?

Zinc is considered a sustainable resource due to its long lifetime and high recyclability. Another sustainability factor is the large amount of zinc contained within the Earth’s crust. Geologists estimate that the crust contains approximately 2.8 billion tons of zinc, meaning the element is abundant and highly sustainable. Something else to consider is that according to the United States Geological Survey, the lifetime reserves for zinc have remained unchanged since 1990, even with an increase of production of over 80%. 

Zinc Is The Architectural Metal of Choice for Sustainable Design

MetalTech Global is the nation’s premiere distributor and fabricator of coil, sheet and finished architectural metals products. Working with our affiliates, we are promoting the use of sustainable metal products in the building. 

We envision that home and commercial construction will be committed to using only durable and reusable products. MetalTech Global can help your commitment be successful as durability, reusability, and sustainability is our area of expertise. We work with companies like elZinc America, VMZinc, Lorin Industries, and Hussey Copper to provide the highest quality architectural products in natural metals. 

While zinc has been used extensively in Europe for hundreds of years, it is a relatively new building metal in North America, and its potential for robust, beautiful structures is unmatched. As of 2021, MetalTech Global is the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America, with the capability of re-processing sheets and coils for customers on demand.

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more!

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Zinc Sheets and Zinc Coils: How Are They Used?

Metal architecture has come a long way since the days of using primarily iron and steel for facades, cladding, and roofing. Zinc Sheets And Zinc Coils is a long lasting metal that has a wider range of application methods in comparison to other metals. While being a durable metal, zinc is also sustainable and recyclable.

Zinc sheeting offers more advantages over alternative metals used for residential and commercial buildings. As a building material, zinc is often overlooked despite its ability to add both function and beauty to the architect’s design, while maintaining an affordable cost.

If you are sourcing architectural metals for a project, you might question yourself, “Why would you choose zinc?” Below, we describe some of the more common uses for zinc coils and sheets in construction and architecture.

Why Zinc?

The composition of architectural zinc used today is an alloy composed of zinc, copper, titanium. Zinc alloy has a plasticity that heavier metals, such as steel and iron, do not have. This plasticity makes the metal more versatile for roofing methods like cladding, and also has a capability to be created into structures and art of almost any shape.

Zinc’s Plasticity

Zinc is a pliable metal, which means we can create almost any shape or design. We have the ability to form zinc sheets into different curves and shapes to match existing structures in design. Its plasticity is why zinc is desirable in applications such as roofing, wall cladding, and decorative accents.

Sustainability

Zinc is a completely sustainable metal. Even though zinc is  100% recyclable, zinc architecture is less likely to need demolition due to it being a long-lasting and attractive metal. Zinc alloys are also environmentally friendly; rain runoff from zinc roofing and cladding does not cause contamination of soil and groundwater, nor does not negatively affect public health.

Roofing

Zinc sheet roofs and facades are popular in both residential and commercial construction. The plasticity of zinc alloy allows fabricators to shape it to fit any roof style as well as create additional decorative touches such as, custom eaves or pinnacles. Zinc does not rust or corrode easily, so there is no need to wash or even paint the zinc panels. Over time zinc forms a natural and protective patina that has self repairing abilities. The patina removes scratches and imperfections as it ages, allowing a roof to last hundreds of years.

Rainwater Drainage

An everyday use of zinc sheet and coil are rainwater drainage systems.. Zinc is preferable to aluminum in many cases because it is more robust and lasts far longer in architectural applications. If matching current decor is a worry, zinc can be painted, but it is not necessary. On average, zinc gutters and downspouts require little maintenance, and have a lifespan of 30-50 years.

Wall Cladding

Wall cladding is a type of siding used to insulate and protect residential and commercial buildings. Zinc cladding has low maintenance costs, a long life, and an attractive look. Our clients prefer zinc because it resists weathering and it has a natural patina that heals itself from scratches and blemishes. Another benefit of the natural patina that forms on zinc is its’ ability to resist corrosion, unlike steel which eventually rusts.

Decorative Accents

With our zinc coils we can create art pieces and sheets through a process we call, PixArt. With PixArt, we create 2D images on the outside of zinc panels. The images are made from a generated pattern of small perforations in the metal that result in a full pixelated image. Our PixArt images can be applied in either interior or exterior locations.

Interior

The possibilities of zinc sheeting for interior decor are endless. We can create custom zinc countertops, zinc wall paneling, and even zinc furniture. Another feature of zinc is that it contains antimicrobial agents that kill microorganisms, making it a great choice for kitchen and bathroom projects.

Exterior

We can add PixArt to exterior wall panels to create custom works of art on buildings and courtyards. Because zinc is so pliable, we can mold it into different shapes for unique architectural designs, custom downspouts, and gothic-style accents.

We Offer Custom Zinc Sheets and Zinc Coils

If you’re searching for a supplier for zinc sheet and coil that will not require months of lead time, look for MetalTech Global. We offer a wide variety of ready to ship zinc within our facility; we also offer in-house reprocessing. Ordering directly from a facility with current products in-stock can reduce the overall timeline of your project, save you money, and leave your clients happy.

We know that sourcing supplies can be complicated with the current supply chain crisis and labor shortages. Therefore, we strive to become the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America. In stock products help us to stay ahead of supply chain problems and keep our clients happy with consistently high-quality metals ready for their building needs. Because we also offer in-house reprocessing, your project will not be delayed by months of waiting on product arrival along with sourcing someone who can reprocess the zinc coils and sheets.

We have many architectural metal products for commercial and residential applications. We also have the most extensive stock of architectural zinc in North America that is ready for shipping or reprocessing. If you need a supplier for zinc sheets and coils, or other metal products for architectural applications, contact us today at MetalTech Global.

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Most Used Metals in the Construction Industry

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Most used metals in construction projects are more demanding than ever, with modern projects often utilizing several different types of metal, mortar, and lumber to create a bespoke design that will stand the test of time.

Each metal you will find on the construction site has a purpose and an application that is necessary for that particular job. Metals offer versatility, aesthetic, function, and strength to each structure and facade. Let’s take a closer look at the metals used most often in modern construction projects and the benefits each brings.

Steel

Steel is one of the most widely used and often-recycled metals used in construction. 

Because of this, it is one of the most eco-friendly materials to use as well. Steel produces sustainable constructions, able to be built quickly at relatively low prices. Steel is seen in many different types of construction, such as office buildings, hospitals, stadiums, fencing, high rises, metal homes, bridge decks, just to name a few. 

Due to its ability to withstand high winds, fires, blizzards and earthquakes, steel is also seen as one of the best ways to protect your investment from the start.

Aluminum

Aluminum is lightweight and strong with the addition of also being highly resistant to corrosion and harsh climates. It is used for many kinds of projects and because of its fluidity in function, designers and architects enjoy using it to create different types of results from use. You can see aluminum in all types of applications such as walls, ceilings, roof covers, HVAC ducts, wire, doors, and windows, as well as some structural components. Its physical properties make it a perfect material for a broad range of construction projects.

This metal and its alloys are durable, malleable and infinitely recyclable. In fact, nearly 75 percent of all aluminum produced is still in use today.

Zinc

Sometimes called architectural zinc, as well as titanium-zinc alloy, rolled zinc, and zinc strip, is a soft, natural-weathering metal that has been used for centuries in various building envelope applications due to it being one of the most non-corrosive metals on the market. It is malleable, soft yet strong, and lightweight. Zinc can be cut, curved and folded to produce a wide range of shapes, making it quite popular with architects. 

You can see this metal in many applications, such as roofing, gutters, facades, building ornamentation, and trimming. Another major use of zinc is in coating or galvanizing other metals that are prone to corrosion such as steel and iron in order to prevent deterioration and extend their longevity.

Copper

Copper is the oldest known metal that is still in use today in the construction industry, as well as one of the most versatile engineering materials on the planet. Copper’s physical properties, such as its corrosion resistance, durability, flexibility, conductivity and strength make it great for an almost unlimited number of projects and uses. Copper is used heavily in the construction industry for heating systems, gas and oil lines, electrical wiring, roofing, cladding and rainwater systems. 

Copper tubing is famous for its use in pipes and inflexible copper tubing is used as cold and hot water tap pipes. Copper’s continued popularity doesn’t show signs of stopping as the base metal remains in high demand, due to its need in green energy projects and electric cars.

Iron

Iron has two different applications in the construction industry, broken down into the categories of wrought iron and cast iron. Cast iron is poured, modeled and melted, whereas wrought iron is rolled. For heavier construction projects, the use of iron rods is very common. Wrought iron is one of the major types of iron rod used in construction. Cast-iron is a particularly strong type of iron whose use in construction allows buildings to be built out wider and take up more space.

Iron is used in the construction of bridges and houses because it is capable of lifting the weight of different things at one time. Iron is a strong metal and has a high resisting power, which helps it resist high load, stress and strain. Wrought iron is easy to rivet and is used to make sturdy rafters, trusses and beams. Cast iron is typically used in large architectural products (the dome of the U.S. Capitol is a famous example).

Consult the Metal Experts for Your Next Project

MetalTech Global is the nation’s premiere distributor and fabricator of coil, sheet and finished architectural metals products. Working with our affiliates, we are promoting the use of sustainable metal products in the building. 

We envision that home and commercial construction will be committed to using only durable and reusable products. MetalTech Global can help your commitment be successful as durability, reusability, and sustainability is our area of expertise. We work with companies like elZinc America, VMZinc, Lorin Industries, and Hussey Copper to provide the highest quality architectural products in natural metals. 

While zinc has been used extensively in Europe for hundreds of years, it is a relatively new building metal in North America, and its potential for robust, beautiful structures is unmatched. As of 2021, MetalTech Global is the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America, with the capability of re-processing sheets and coils for customers on demand.

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more.

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Perforated Sheet Metals: What You Need to Know

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Perforated Sheet Metals: What You Need to Know

Have you considered which perforated metal would be best for your first project? When making this decision, the first thing you should keep in mind is your application. The qualities you pick for your perforated metal will significantly affect how you can use the finished product. 

A simple perforated metal sheet can fulfill a variety of architectural roles while being cost-effective, attractive, and functional. There are various applications of perforated metal, including outdoor furniture, balustrades, and acoustic applications. Perforated metal is a vital element in the development of large scale construction projects all over the world, and will continue to be an in-demand choice for the foreseeable future.

Today, we will go over some of the most prevalent uses of perforated sheet metal, and its applications in many of today’s major industries.

What Exactly Is Perforated Sheet Metal?

Perforated metal, also referred to as perforated screen or perforated sheet, is sheet metal that has been mechanically or manually punched or stamped to generate various shapes, sizes, holes, and patterns using CNC technology or, in some circumstances, laser cutting. 

Zinc, titanium, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum are just a few of the metals that are utilized in the perforating metal process. The kind of metals for the perforation process is selected according to their materials, gauge, size, and intended purpose. Some of the shapes that can be employed are hexagonal, slotted, square, and round holes.

Practical Constructive & Architectural Benefits of Perforated Metal

Reduction in Solar Radiation & Sun Shading

Sun rays can enter the room directly through common horizontal constructions dividing loggias and balconies, especially in the morning when the sun rays descend for a shorter period. By distributing the sun’s energy and eliminating excessive sunlight, perforated sheets provide a more comfortable environment. 

Additionally, perforated metal shutters can be placed on windows to control radiation from the sun. They drastically alter the facade view by allowing for a changing opening angle when closed or open, thereby managing the quantity of light that can enter your place.

Durability

Since perforated sheet metals are mainly composed of zinc, aluminum, steel, or any alloy combination you can conceive of, the ultimate result will be a long-lasting, hard-to-damage building material. Sheet metals can survive for up to five decades with minimal repair and maintenance once put in a structure.

Using durable materials reduces the long-term cost of repair and replacement. Although alloys and metals are preferable, sheet metals are changeable to have various wall thicknesses. The materials may also assist in mitigating damage caused by impact forces, which could compromise the safety of people inside a building.

Acoustic Performance

Perforated metal sheets with a high open area can effectively reduce noise in an environment and provide a pleasant experience. They can also be engineered to enable sound to travel through quickly, allowing them to be used as speaker grilles to safeguard speakers from damage without affecting the sound they produce. Perforated metal noise barriers constructed of aluminum are also employed to absorb and soften noise on highways and near rail tracks.

Energy Efficiency

Perforated metal can help architects reduce internal heat buildup from the sun by balancing light and ventilation. HVAC systems consume less energy because heat is deflected, resulting in a more consistent interior temperature. As a screening feature, perforated metal minimizes the amount of internal illumination required.

The Flexibility of Perforated Sheet Metal Design

Perforated metal variants rely on their material usage, thickness, dimensions, and application region. Perforated sheet metals are available in diverse shapes and sizes, including hexagonal holes, slotted holes, club-shaped holes, square holes, round holes, and other decorative forms. Metal sheets are available in architectural patterns that help with ventilation and contribute aesthetic appeal to buildings.

The Artistic Potential of Perforated Metal Imaging

An increasing number of artists are discovering the potential of perforated metal and its numerous advantages for artistic applications. Because of the variety of metal materials, hole patterns, and thinnest metal profiles, it can be molded into a wide range of forms and shapes. When particularly in comparison to solid metal components, perforated metal allows light to pass through, generating delicate and one-of-a-kind effects depending on the perforation pattern selected.

At MetalTech Global, we can custom-create functional 2D pixelated artwork in even the most intricate colors and patterns, thanks to cutting-edge production technology and extensive creative skills. Aside from that, we only employ the best semi-precious metals in the development of the metal artwork, making it the ideal artistic material for perforated metal art and sculptures for any building.

Why You Should Rely on MetalTech Global

Building materials must be exactly suited to their intended purpose and physical environment, as well as your budget and design specifications. 

MetalTech Global is able to create custom perforated patterns and shapes with our millimeter accurate CNC machine and other latest fabrication technology. With these tools, our architect support staff can realize an unlimited variety of folded and perforated panel designs.

We produce custom soffit systems, wall screens, cassettes, and panel inserts with any of our architectural metals. Perforation provides architects a way to create unique designs without restraint. Choose one of our standard patterns or customize a pattern specific for your design.

Our team takes a personalized approach to provide you with custom alternatives that are tailored to your specific requirements. We can make perforated plates, sheets, panels, and coils to your exact specifications. 

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more!

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