by Jonathan McGaha | March 30, 2016 12:00 am
VMZINC-US[1] has joined the National Slate Association and Vermont Slate Quarry Association to highlight zinc as a natural option to use with slate as a building material in the United States. First established in 1922 by producers of slate material, the National Slate Association[2] (NSA) is dedicated to promoting excellence in slate roofing practices and serving as a resource for roofing professionals, architects, builders and property owners. The Vermont Slate Quarry Association is dedicated to providing education and support for the people of the Slate Valley region of Vermont.
Zinc is a common material choice for flashings, ornamentation, gutters and pipes, as well as other areas not steep enough for the application of slate, such as dormers. In recent years, the use of zinc flashings for slate roofs has gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the Northeast for historical preservation, residential, institutional and religious buildings that incorporate slate. For example, zinc and slate were recently installed on multiple buildings at Princeton University. Zinc is a popular choice among many architects and homeowners because it is fully recyclable, requires little maintenance and creates a natural, aesthetically pleasing blend when combined with slate.
As part of VMZINC’s membership with the NSA, John Sheridan, VMZ Pro-zinc Trainer, was a presenter during the association’s Penn Big Bed Convention in Philadelphia from Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6. Sheridan’s presentation discussed the relevance and advantages of pairing zinc with slate in both commercial and residential projects. He has more than eight years of experience as a VMZ Pro-zinc trainer and more than 40 years of experience in custom roofing and sheet metal work.
VMZINC offers 0.7mm and 0.8mm zinc sheets in QUARTZ-ZINC Plus, an elegant, pre-weathered gray that mimics the natural patina developed by zinc over time. Zinc installation is different than the installation procedure for other metals. Even though zinc will form a natural protective barrier, precautions should be taken when installing zinc next to slate to ensure that no damage, deformities, or color variations occur to either material. Because of this, VMZINC requires that all installers attend one of its VMZ Pro-zinc training courses to help them understand the basic properties of zinc and ensure long-term success of the material. A working knowledge in other materials is a prerequisite for all VMZ Pro-zinc seminars, which speaks to the high level of craftsmanship inherent in every zinc project.
“As building materials, zinc and slate are an extremely compatible pair, and we are excited to be members of the Vermont Slate Quarry Association and National Slate Association to help showcase how well these two materials work together to create beautiful architecture in the United States,” said Daniel Nicely, managing director at VMZINC-US. “The NSA’s Penn Big Bed Convention was an excellent opportunity for John Sheridan, our VMZ Pro-zinc Trainer, to share his expertise with slate professionals and enthusiasts who may be seeking a complementary building material for their next project.”
There is a rich, long history of combining slate and zinc. In the 14th century, wealthy French merchants and nobles living along the Loire River began using slate for intricate architectural details on their castles, mansions and hotels due to the building material’s high versatility. Beginning in the early 19th century, zinc became a widely popular building material for roofs and facades across Paris and surrounding areas of France. VMZINC®, the world’s oldest architectural zinc company, started producing zinc sheets and accessories to complement the country’s preexisting architecture, including the slate roofs on prestigious buildings. Today,
slate and zinc remain commonly used building materials in Paris, as well as Brittany and Normandy.
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