Zinc: a material of many colours

With the evolution of technology, the aesthetic and chromatic possibilities that zinc can offer have proliferated. As a result, it has found its way onto atypical façades and architectural projects and into countries unfamiliar with this material until only few years ago.

Once only manufactured and marketed in its natural state, it is now available in an ever-increasing range of greys with our elZinc Alkimi® range. In addition to this range, we offer zinc in warm, natural colours (red, blue, green, black, gold and brown) within the elZinc Rainbow® range, colours which do not completely cover the natural metallic grain of the underlying titanium-zinc whilst adding a touch of fantasy and modernity. Lastly, coil coated zinc has become another alternative to consider when designing a coloured façade – with its opaque lacquered finishes, it can be coloured to match the shade you always imagined your project’s cladding would have thanks to customised finishing possibilities.

With its colourful finishes, and changing reflections and different installation systems, elZinc Rainbow® can be used to modulate façades, reinforcing building’s different identities.

In addition, new installation systems based on self-supporting panels fixed to a wood or metal supporting structure have become popular relatively recently. The façade panel, composite panel and honeycomb panels offer an alternative to traditional techniques, presenting a new aesthetic.

Some inspiring projects carried out with the elZinc Rainbow® range of coloured zinc using different installation techniques:

The façade consists of two cladding layers. An inner skin of translucent polycarbonate provides insulation and airtightness, while the outer skin of custom-made, micro-perforated white elZinc® titanium-zinc lets in natural light while protecting the polycarbonate from direct exposure, thus improving the thermal performance of the façade.

Its exterior shape and reddish zinc cladding are inspired by the granite rock formations known as “The Remarkables” on Kangaroo Island, near Adelaide.

elZinc Rainbow® gold titanium zinc really makes The Alchemist stand out. The raking seams, set parallel to the building’s edges, reinforces its complex geometry, while meeting the project’s requirements in terms of aesthetic quality.

The choice of elZinc Rainbow® was motivated by the need for a material that would combine aesthetics and durability and would be resistant to the stresses (climatic and atmospheric) of the marine environment.

Aesthetics is not the only parameter to take into account when designing or building an architectural project.

Able to withstand high wind loading, durable and lightweight, titanium-zinc is widely used in coastal regions. Titanium-zinc is a “living material” that will develop a natural patina that protects it for its entire lifetime. Its remarkable properties make it an ideal exterior waterproofing material that is also highly resistant to corrosion.

However, building by the sea or in areas with high levels of pollution requires great care in the choice of materials used. This is why we have developed new technical and aesthetic solutions: elZinc Advance® and elZinc Rainbow®.

Corrosion resistant (RC5 classification, according to EN 10169:2010), elZinc Rainbow® and elZinc Advance® has a high-quality 35 micron organic coating that is designed to keep the finish looking as good as new even in aggressive saline environments.

Ideal for projects requiring additional protection, elZinc Rainbow® and elZinc Advance® allow you to maximise the technical potential of zinc in the most exposed environments, while retaining its unparalleled aesthetic appeal for decades to come.