Zinc is as good on a wall as it is on a roof. As cladding it gives a building a crisp, durable skin that needs almost no maintenance, weathers to a soft, even patina and works alongside brick, stone, timber, render and large areas of glazing. Architects often use it to mark out a new extension against an older house, or to wrap a whole new build in one material from roof to ground.
The Specialist Roofing Company installs zinc cladding across London, Windsor, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. We are a family business based in Old Windsor, working with zinc since 2007, and all our cladding is fitted by our own team.
Call 01753 867288 or send us your elevations for a quote.
Where we use zinc cladding
- Extensions: rear and side extensions where the walls and roof are wrapped in the same zinc.
- Dormer cheeks and fronts: the most common small cladding job we do. See zinc dormers.
- Bay windows, porches and canopies.
- New builds and garden buildings: full elevations, studios and outbuildings.
- Feature panels: chimneys, stair cores, parapets and upper storeys.
Cladding systems
There is more than one way to clad a wall in zinc, and the choice changes how the building reads from the street:
- Standing seam cladding. Long trays with raised seams, running vertically for height or horizontally for a lower, longer look. It is the same system as our standing seam roofing, so roof and walls can flow into each other with matching seams.
- Panel and interlocking systems. Flat panels, shingles or interlocking profiles give a smoother or more textured surface. Manufacturers such as VMZINC and RHEINZINK each have their own ranges.
Whichever system you choose, the seam or joint layout should be designed around windows, doors, corners and floor levels, not simply started at one end and cut where it runs out. We set this out with you or your architect before ordering.
Finishes
Zinc cladding is usually specified in a pre-weathered finish, which arrives already coloured and weathers evenly. VMZINC and RHEINZINK both offer blue-grey and dark grey pre-weathered zinc, natural zinc that dulls over time, and coloured options. If you want a warmer or more colourful metal, look at copper or PREFA aluminium, which comes in a wide range of factory colours. Our materials guide compares them.
Behind the zinc: build-up and detailing
A zinc wall is a rainscreen, so what happens behind it matters as much as the face. We make sure:
- there is a suitable ventilated cavity or approved backing, so moisture can escape and the zinc isn’t attacked from behind. Our article on ventilation beneath VMZINC explains why;
- the zinc can move with temperature changes, particularly on tall south- and west-facing walls. See movement allowance;
- incompatible materials are kept apart: certain timbers, copper run-off and some fixings and sealants can damage zinc;
- window reveals, sills, heads and base details shed water cleanly and are formed in metal rather than relying on sealant.
Fire performance, insulation and the wall build-up are set by your architect or designer and Building Regulations. We work to their specification and the manufacturer’s guidance, and raise anything we think needs looking at before work starts.
Who we work for
We clad for homeowners directly, and as the specialist metal cladding subcontractor for builders, main contractors and self-builders. Because we never pass work on to anyone else, the same team plans the layout, forms the trays and finishes the details.
Guarantee and insurance
Our cladding comes with a 20-year guarantee. We are approved VMZINC, RHEINZINK and PREFA installers, fully insured, with CSCS health and safety certification.
Zinc cladding FAQs
Is zinc cladding expensive?
It costs more than render or timber to install, but it needs very little maintenance and lasts for decades. We give a fixed written quote from your elevations.
Does zinc cladding need painting or treating?
No. Its natural patina protects it.
Can you clad just part of a building?
Yes. Many of our jobs are single dormers, bays or feature panels.
Will it match my zinc roof?
If we use the same system and finish, yes. Roof and walls can be laid out so the seams line up.
Get a cladding quote
Call 01753 867288 or 07941 011336, email info@thespecialistroofingcompany.co.uk, or send us your drawings.