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Capitalising on copper
Simon Walker from SIG Zinc & Copper shares his knowledge and insight into the benefits and approach to using copper in builds
Copper is known to provide an ideal solution for designers looking for a cladding which is highly malleable
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or designers and architects, selecting the most appropriate solution for cladding or roofing involves finding a balance between aesthetics, sustainability, and durability.
There is no definitively right answer, and with a plethora of options available, designers have a lot of decisions to make. Even when a metal solution seems obvious with its long life, there is still the choice between aluminium, steel, zinc, and copper. The performance characteristics of each material, as well as their very different aesthetics, will all influence the choice. Copper is known to provide an ideal solution for designers looking for a cladding which is highly malleable – key for curved or irregular shapes – while still being long-lasting.
This malleability makes the material popular with designers looking to work with the same metal finish for gutters, downpipes, and flashings. It’s an established practice to use copper for cappings, ridges,
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flashings and full rainwater systems because of the metal’s comparative softness and ease to work with.
Being a lightweight material makes it easy for contractors to work with too. The traditional 0.7 mm size used for standing seam roofing, angle seam cladding and shingles or flat lock weighs only 6.3 kg/m2. Conversely the lightweight nature of the metal can result in natural undulations, particularly on flatter sheets, which some designers or clients might find unappealing but for others is part of the charm of the material.
Copper has a unique ageing process that causes the material to change its appearance radically over time. Starting from a bright traditional copper colour, the hues change to brown, dark brown, and eventually end in Verdigris.
For designers who want certainty on the appearance of the material over time, pre- weathered copper is widely available to give a specific colour or weathering stage of the
ADF OCTOBER 2022
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