Standing seam and flat lock zinc
Zinc roofs
Zinc is the material we are named after and the one we fit most. It suits a modern extension and a listed dormer equally well, it weathers to a soft even grey, and it will still be doing its job long after the rest of the building has been redecorated several times over.
- Systems
- Standing seam, flat lock, cladding
- Finishes
- Natural, Quartz, Anthra, Pigmento
- Minimum pitch
- From around 3 degrees
- Typical scale
- 10 sqm to over 1,000 sqm
Standing seam and flat lock
Standing seam is the system most people picture when they think of a zinc roof. Long bays run from ridge to eaves with raised seams between them, and the seams are closed by machine so there are no fixings through the surface of the roof. It suits pitches from around three degrees upwards and it is what we use on most extensions, dormers and whole house re roofs.
Flat lock is the flatter alternative, made up of smaller panels locked together on all four edges. It gives a quieter, more tiled appearance and it is the better choice for curved surfaces, wall cladding and anywhere the roof is going to be seen from close up.
Finishes
Natural mill finish arrives bright and weathers down over the first couple of years to the soft grey most people associate with zinc. Pre weathered finishes skip that wait: Quartz is a light grey, Anthra is a deep charcoal, and the Pigmento range adds colour while keeping the matt surface.
If you are matching an existing roof, send us a photo and if you can an offcut. We can usually identify the system, the finish and the seam spacing so a repair or an extension does not read as a patch.
Formed on site
We bring the folding and rolling machinery to the job and form the panels there. That means no waiting on a fabrication slot, no lorry loads of pre made panels that turn out to be a few millimetres out, and no trimming to fit on a roof that was never square in the first place.
What you get
- VMZINC standing seam and flat lock panels
- Anthra, Quartz, Pigmento and natural finishes
- Formed on site, so lead times stay short
- Domes, dormers, extensions and whole roofs
- Matching fascias, soffits and rainwater goods
- No harmful run off, and fully recyclable
Zinc Roofs we have fitted
Click any photo to see it full size.
Frequently asked questions
Far longer than felt, rubber or tiles. Zinc is still on cathedrals and museums across Europe that were roofed generations ago, which is why it works out economical once you spread the cost over the life of the roof.
Natural mill finish weathers unevenly for the first few months, particularly where rain runs off more in one place than another. It evens out. If you would rather skip that stage, choose a pre weathered finish such as Quartz or Anthra.
Yes, down to around three degrees with standing seam, provided the deck and the ventilation underneath are right. We will tell you at the survey if your build up needs changing.
Sometimes, but not always. Zinc needs a sound, dry, well ventilated deck underneath it. If yours is not up to it we will say so rather than lay a good roof over a bad one.
Ask about zinc roofs
We reply within one working day.
Thinking about a metal roof?
Send over a few details and we will come out, get on the roof and tell you honestly what it needs.
Our work is on
The British Museum
Great Ormond Street Hospital
The British Library