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Resources

Access brochures, technical resources, case studies, and FAQs in one centralized library to support informed decisions from design to delivery.

Brochures

Explore our comprehensive product brochures featuring system overviews, design options, finishes and technical highlights to support your project planning.

Rainscreen Facades & M-SPAN Plank System

A1 non-combustible plank system for safe, sustainable rainscreen façades

M-SPAN BETTER-FIX SYSTEM – Rainscreen

A1 non-combustible ventilated rainscreen system for safer, low-carbon façades by Metalspan.

Sustainable expanded mesh façades

This document presents large expanded metal mesh systems from Longhi Group,…

Zinc Façade Design with VMZINC

Overview of zinc façade systems, showcasing design flexibility, durability …

Modular green wall façade system

This document introduces the VersiWall® GP 2060 living wall system from Elmich, highlighting its modular tray design …

VersiWall® GP Modular Living Wall System

A modular green wall system by Elmich Pte Ltd offering flexible planting, easy installation, and sustainable vertical…

Downloads

Access the technical backbone of our projects. Download the supporting documents.

Reduction of embodied carbon in façades

This infographic shows how Metalspan façade systems reduce embodied carbon through lightweight, low-aluminium, non-combustible cladding, supporting construction and net-zero goals.

Sustainable expanded mesh façades

This document presents large expanded metal mesh systems from Longhi Group, highlighting their role in façade design through solar control, ventilation, durability, and recyclability, helping architects create energy-efficient, visually light, and environmentally responsible building envelopes.

Expanded Aluminium Stair Treads

This document presents large expanded metal mesh systems from Longhi Group, highlighting their role in façade design through solar control, ventilation, durability, and recyclability, helping architects create energy-efficient, visually light, and environmentally responsible building envelopes.

Reduction of embodied carbon in façades

This book showcases façade solutions, materials, and system applications from Metalspan, illustrating design flexibility, performance benefits, and technical possibilities to support architects in creating efficient, durable, and visually striking building envelopes.

Standing seam zinc façade and roofing system

This document explains the standing seam system from VM ZINC, highlighting its durability, weather resistance, and design flexibility for roofs and façades, making it suitable for large surfaces, complex forms, and demanding climatic conditions.

Flatlock zinc façade cladding system

This document presents the flatlock panel system from VM ZINC, detailing its modular design, crisp aesthetic, and suitability for façades, soffits, and complex geometries, enabling durable, low-maintenance envelopes with refined architectural expression.

Modular green wall façade system

This document introduces the VersiWall® GP 2060 living wall system from Elmich, highlighting its modular tray design, fire-resistant option, water-efficient irrigation, and flexible planting layouts for creating sustainable, low-maintenance vertical greenery in buildings.

Modular living wall façade system

This document presents the VersiWall® GP green wall solution from Elmich, outlining its modular tray system, flexible mounting options, water-efficient irrigation, and recycled materials for creating sustainable, low-maintenance vertical greenery on buildings.

FAQ

What is METALSPAN by ALUCOPANEL A1 MCM?

METALSPAN by ALUCOPANEL A1 MCM is a Euroclass A1 non-combustible Metal Composite Material (MCM) featuring a 100% inorganic mineral core. It is designed for high-performance façade applications where maximum fire safety is required.

Euroclass A1 (EN 13501-1) is the highest fire classification for construction materials in the UK and Europe. It means the material is non-combustible and does not contribute to fire growth.

A1 MCM – Non-combustible (no contribution to fire). A1 MCM provides the highest level of fire performance compared to traditional ACM materials. A2 ACM – Limited combustibility, PE core ACM – Combustible

Yes. Due to its non-combustible classification, it is suitable for high-rise and high-risk buildings where strict fire safety regulations apply

The panel contains a 100% inorganic mineral core, meaning it does not contain combustible polyethylene content.

Yes. The composite structure reduces aluminium usage by approximately 66% compared to 3mm solid aluminium, helping to lower embodied carbon and overall material demand.

Yes. Despite its fire performance, the composite structure makes it significantly lighter than solid aluminium, allowing: easier handling, faster fabrication, reduced structural load, lower transportation impact

Yes. It can be CNC routed, folded, and fabricated into cassette or plank systems, making it suitable for modern rainscreen cladding systems. METALSPAN has 5 different systems: 3 rainscreen, horizontal & vertical plan systems.

ALUCOPANEL A1 is available in: solid colours, metallic finishes, stone finishes, wood finishes etc… Coatings typically include high-performance PVDF and HDPE coating techniques.

Yes. The panels are engineered for long-term durability and resistance to: UV exposure, extreme temperatures, coastal conditions, corrosion

Warranty periods vary depending on coating system and project conditions, commonly up to 20 years (subject to terms and application).

What is Fils EXTEC expanded mesh?

Fils expanded metal mesh is a high-quality Italian mesh designed for façades and suitable for many other architectural interior and exterior applications. It comes in a range of patterns, thicknesses, and open-area percentages, making it ideal for both functional and decorative applications.

Fils offers a wide range of materials/ metals including steel, pre-galvanized steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel. Metalspan offer aluminium based expanded meshes. But can provide other finishes on demand (MOQ applies).

Expanded mesh allows for greater light diffusion, enhancing the aesthetic value of buildings while aligning with eco-friendly design trends. It also provides structural integrity and safety features, making it a popular choice for architects and designers.

Expanded mesh offers high strength-to-weight ratios, efficient load distribution, and non-slip properties, making it ideal for safety in platforms, stairs, and catwalks. It is also resistant to harsh environmental conditions and corrosion.

Semi-closed meshes: Provide a see-through effect, ideal for masking services or behind-the-scenes areas while allowing visibility and airflow. Very closed meshes: Provide an opaque appearance for maximum discretion and privacy.

Expanded mesh is easier to install and maintain compared to traditional materials due to its lightweight nature and minimal maintenance demands. This results in long-term cost savings and a strong return on investment.

When selecting expanded mesh consider: material/metal, strand thickness, opening size, and corrosion resistance based on your application. Also, Your design intent is a key factor to consider when determining the material’s suitability for your project.

Yes. Fils EXTEC mesh can be supplied in different panel sizes, thicknesses, finishes, and colours to match your design intent and site requirements

Fils’ commitment to innovation and sustainability drives their product offerings, ensuring that their expanded mesh products meet the latest standards and regulations. It also ensures continuous product development in terms of developing new design, quality improvements and providing value-engineered solutions.

Expanded mesh reduces wind loads by allowing air to pass through, making it suitable for multi-storey buildings. It also adds visual lightness and architectural interest to tall façades.

Fils mesh comes in a range of powder-coated, anodized, and mill finish/ natural aluminium finishes. Contact Mtalspan for more details

Yes. The aluminium used is 100% recyclable.

Why zinc as opposed to any other roof?
There are many reasons including durability, recyclability and low maintenance but I would say the big reason is visual appearance. It is an attractive material whether it is used on a roof or a façade. The fact that it is not painted means that zinc, especially pre-patinated zinc, offers a warm, vibrant aesthetic that painted surfaces just cannot match.
When correctly designed and installed a zinc roof can last in excess of 100 years. The BRE Environmental Product Declaration states 100 years. Typically zinc sheets corrode at approx. 2 microns per year and the thinnest zinc sheets sold for roofing in the UK are 700 microns thick. In a few very severe industrial and marine environments this corrosion rate can increase to 5 or 6 microns. Therefore, occasionally the expected `life span` could drop to 60 years. Liverpool Central Library was fitted with a zinc roof in 1879. At this time the area was extremely polluted and obviously coastal and yet the zinc was only replaced in 2012!
The best way of maintaining a zinc roof is simply to let the rain, rain over it and that is it. It is obviously good practice to clear out gutters at the end of the autumn and the occasional visual inspection would not go amiss but no other regular cleaning with special products is advised.
VMZINC is 100% recyclable and in Western Europe approximately 99% of zinc roofs and walls are indeed recycled, even if you might have to wait a long time to do it. This recycled zinc is then used for many things; galvanising, brass production, cosmetics and obviously new zinc sheets.
Over the past 25 years non vented warm roof build ups have become more and more popular. The fully supported Aludex Max vapour and air barrier greatly increases air tightness and the insulation installed over this barrier is continuous with very few thermal bridges thus further increasing thermal performance. The Structural roof also carries a BBA certificate.
VMZINC started to sell zinc to many countries around the world in the middle of the 19th century and this has continued into the 21st century. We have offices in many parts of the world and work regularly with local architects and installers. A webinar of around the world in 80 zinc projects is available
It can. Since VMZINC started rolling zinc in 1837, and even before, zinc has been used widely as material for gutters, downpipes and flashings on tile and slate roofs. ANTHRA-ZINC was initially launched in 1978 as a flashing material to compliment slate roofs.
As zinc is a metal it is non-combustible, A1 following EN13501. By adding a coating which is the case with backside protected VMZINC PLUS the rating is A2. Both VMZINC cold, vented and warm, non-vented roofs have passed BROOFt4 flame penetration and spread tests.
Generally, the supplied and fitted cost of a zinc roof or wall will depend on 3 factors; location, complexity and size. Most supplied and fitted prices for zinc roofs and walls including flashings, trim, clips, etc but not substrates will be between £100-200 / m².
As VMZINC has been used as a roofing material since 1837 we have an excellent understanding of the durability of the material. We can now offer a material warranty of up to 50 years on a project by project basis. It is obviously critical that the zinc roof or wall is designed and installed correctly. Traditional standing seam roofing and cladding should be installed by a recognised hard metal roofing contractor and not by a general builder. VMZINC does have a partnership program called VMZINC@WORK. Partner members have extended experience with an excellent track record of installing zinc as well as following training sessions offered by VMZINC.
Zinc reacts with water to form zinc hydroxide; this then reacts with Co2 to form the stable compound zinc hydroxycarbonate. The amount of time required for formation of the patina from Natural zinc will depend on the exposure of the zinc to water. A low slope roof may only require 3 years whereas a protected soffit may require over 10 years exposure.
When zinc is exposed to too much water and not enough Co2 the stable grey patina will not form leaving the unstable zinc hydroxide which is commonly referred to as white rust.
No, zinc does not require any particular protection because it protects itself by forming a patina when it comes into contact with the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Nevertheless, the use of pre-weathered zinc may be recommended in particularly aggressive environments such as industrialised areas or industrialised marine environments.
The amount of zinc in the environment does not present a risk to ecosystems because it is within a range of concentrations that are optimal for life.
No, zinc is not harmful to human health or living organisms, nor is it toxic in itself since it is necessary, and indeed essential, in small quantities for all living organisms whether they are human, vegetable or animal. They draw it from their food in order to ensure that their metabolism functions properly. Zinc is essential for human health, for example for growth and for the protection of the skin. It also plays an important role in the development of the brain, foetal development, immune functions, sense of taste, sense of smell, etc.
The corrosion rate of an exposed rolled zinc surface is influenced by:
  • Sulphur dioxide (SO2), typically found in very urbanised or industrialised atmospheres.
  • Chlorides, essentially present in a marine atmosphere.
  • The slope and direction of the exposed surface.
  • Surface treatments.
SO2 has the greatest impact: it is very soluble in rainwater which it acidifies. It attacks the protective layer of zinc hydroxycarbonate (patina) to form a soluble zinc sulphate which is washed off by rainwater. The corrosion rate of zinc is thus higher in highly industrialised areas.

Zinc is a metal that performs extremely well in coastal environments and our normal warranties are valid for these locations.  However, as zinc is a natural non painted metal it can react with its external environment including air with a high salt content.  When this salty air lands on surfaces such as roofs the rainwater rinses the salt off, however on un-rinsed surfaces such as some facades and soffits this rinsing effect maybe very limited.  For these surfaces within 1km of the sea, permanent staining resulting from salt exposure, is likely.  The staining will also be more visible on a very dark grey surface such as ANTHRA-ZINC.

In 2005 VMZINC launched the PIGMENTO range which is pre-weathered zinc with an added pigment which is then sealed with a coating.  This coating results in elements such as salt in the air adhering and reacting with the zinc far less than with QUARTZ-ZINC and ANTHRA-ZINC.  It is also easier to clean the PIGMENTO range.  We also offer products without added pigment, called QUARTZ-ZINC STRAT and ANTHRA-ZINC STRAT.

For coastal locations (within 20km of the sea) the use of PIGMENTO and STRAT products will reduce potential superficial staining on building surfaces with exposure to rinsing by rainwater.  For these surfaces within 1km of the sea, permanent staining resulting from salt exposure, is still likely.

It should be noted that PIGMENTO and STRAT must not be left with bare edges exposed in coastal locations and folding radii must be respected – see General technical recommendations for further information.

The only materials with which zinc are not compatible in the case of direct contact are

  • Metals such as copper, brass, steel, cast iron and chrome.
  • Wood with an acid pH, for example: chestnut, oak, larch, birch, Douglas fir, and red cedar.
  • Cement and plaster.
  • Bitumen, even water from a bituminous roof should not run over a zinc roof.

However, if precautions are taken to avoid direct contact, zinc can be used with all types of substructures.

There are 4, each with its own specifications. The purpose of all four is to optimise the environmental performance of buildings.

Zinc is an asset with regard to environmental guidelines because some of its properties contribute to protecting natural resources, reducing greenhouse gases and limiting costs related to waste management and building maintenance. Moreover, the variety of textures and finishes allow the building to blend into its surroundings, which is also an asset. These properties are:

  • Low energy consumption for the production of rolled zinc.
  • High recovery and reuse rate (95%)
  • Extremely durable.

Rocks, many minerals, soil and water and the air naturally contain variable concentrations of zinc.  There is an average of 80g of zinc per ton in the earth’s crust. In some areas of the earth’s crust, as a result of geological and geochemical processes, there are particularly high concentrations of zinc. In areas where the concentration of zinc is generally over 5% the ore is extracted.

Taking into account the efforts made to recycle zinc and with an estimated 1,900 million tons of mining reserves, mankind’s requirements for zinc will be met for over a century.

In industrialised countries, production plants have to obey very strict environmental regulations. The French  plants are all committed to meeting ISO 14001 standards: the plant in Viviez obtained ISO 14001 environmental certification at the end of 2003. The Auby plant obtained this certification at the beginning of 2004 and the Bray-et-Lû plant obtained it in December 2004.

The main regions and countries where zinc ore is mined are:

  • Asia (China, Kazakhstan, India and Japan) and Australia: 44%.
  • North America (Canada, USA, Mexico) and South America (Peru, Bolivia, Brazil): 43%.
  • Europe (Ireland, Poland, Spain): 10%.
  • Africa (Morocco, Tunisia): 3%.

Less energy is used to produce metallic zinc from ore or from recycled materials than for any other metal, such as aluminium, copper or stainless steel, used in the building industry.
In addition, less energy is used to transform zinc into rolled zinc than to process other metals. In fact, zinc’s mechanical properties make it easier to roll and transform it into finished products for the building industry because these properties allow the zinc to be rolled at a low temperature compared to most other metals, thus reducing energy consumption.

Zinc deficiency can cause serious health problems. Zinc is the 3rd most important trace element after magnesium and iron in the human body. As such, it participates in a great number of metabolic reactions. A lack of zinc in the diet can give rise to serious health problems such as skin problems, slower healing of wounds, reduced senses of taste and smell, increased risk of infection, retarded growth in children, mental lethargy, lack of appetite, hair loss, etc.

Ecotoxicology is the science that studies the potential effects of various substances on ecosystems (ecosystem = biological community of interacting living organisms and their physical environment, for example: a tree trunk, a field, an ocean, etc). The science that studies the potential effects of various substances on human beings is called toxicology.

No, in the developed countries, current emissions of zinc into the environment present no ecotoxicological risk. Zinc is a natural element which is found throughout the environment (water, air, soil and rocks). Localised emissions of zinc into the environment can be from natural sources such as volcanic emissions, or be of human origin, for example: worn tires, atmospheric corrosion from galvanised steel or rolled zinc, from fertilisers and cattle fodder. In the developed countries, the amount of zinc measured in sensitive ecosystems shows that current emissions of zinc into the environment do not present any ecotoxicological risks because they are within the limits required for optimal conditions for life.

No, zinc is not a dangerous heavy metal in the same sense as cadmium for example. Metals are commonly divided into two groups: “heavy” metals (with a density of over 5 g/cm3 and light metals (with a density of less than 5 g/cm3). Since the density of zinc is slightly higher than 5 g/cm3 it can certainly be classified as a “heavy metal” because of its density.  But the term “heavy metal” is often associated with “toxic”. While this association is true for certain metals such as cadmium (if even a small quantity of these elements is inhaled, ingested or enters the human body through the skin, it can cause death or chronic or acute problems. This is not true for other metals such as zinc or copper. Zinc is not toxic because it is a trace element which is indispensable for all living organisms.

Not all the zinc emitted into the environment can be assimilated by living organisms. Only 10% in the ground and 30% in European rivers can be assimilated, the rest is in bound form and cannot be assimilated. Zinc that can be directly assimilated by living organisms is classified as “bio available”

In the areas of energy, waste and water the building industry has ecological (energy consumption, emission of greenhouse gases, production of waste, etc.), economic (energy costs, waste management costs, water treatment costs, creation of employment, etc.) and social (organisation of living space, sanitary conditions, durability, etc.) impacts.
These impacts are all related to the three fundamental pillars of the concept of sustainable development.
The environmental quality approach in the building industry, the aim of which is to reduce the negative impacts and optimise the positive impacts of this sector on the quality, environment and economy of society, is therefore a form of application of the concept of sustainable development in the building sector.

The use of zinc in building applications contributes to sustainable development because:

  • When zinc is used as a galvanising agent to coat steel it considerably lengthens the life span of steel products, reduces their maintenance costs and economises on the natural resources used to produce steel.
  • Zinc contributes to the durability of infrastructures and transportation systems on which modern society depends. Zinc thus contributes to social progress, 90% of all rolled zinc products are recovered. Natural resources are thus protected, there is less building waste in waste storage centres because of recycling, and jobs are created in the recycling market.

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