Zinc
VMZINC, Rheinzink, Umicore. Natural patina, 80-100 year service life. Standing seam, cassettes, strips. A1 non-combustible. €150-350/m² installed. Living material, strong architectural identity.
Guide comparatif
Zinc
Aluminium
VMZINC, Rheinzink vs Alucobond, Reynobond — two noble metals, two strategies of durability and aesthetics in facades.
- Zinc: 80-100 years of service life — the most durable facade metal
- Aluminium: infinite RAL/NCS palette, half the price of zinc
- PE-core aluminium composite has been banned in high-rise buildings since Grenfell
Analyse QUASART
Zinc ages, aluminium endures
Zinc is a living material — it develops a natural patina that evolves over the decades, moving from blue-grey to deep silver-grey. Lacquered aluminium retains its initial appearance for 25-30 years thanks to surface treatments (PVDF, polyester paint).
The choice between the two is as much aesthetic as technical. Zinc is nobler, more expensive and more artisanal. Aluminium is more industrial, more colourful and more accessible. Both are 100% recyclable.
Comparatif point par pointOption A Option B
Zinc Aluminium
Criteria
Zinc
Aluminium
Service life
80-100 years✓ Advantage
30-40 years (coating)
Patina
Yes — evolves naturally
No — stable colour
Fire classification
A1 (non-combustible)✓ Advantage
B-s1,d0 (composite) / A1 (solid)
Colour palette
Limited (natural, pre-patinated)
Infinite (RAL, NCS, Pantone)✓ Advantage
Weight
~7 kg/m² (0.7mm)
~5 kg/m² (4mm composite)✓ Advantage
Installed price
€150-350/m²
€80-200/m²✓ Advantage
Installation
Artisanal (standing seam)
Industrial (cassettes)
Recyclability
100% recyclable✓ Advantage
100% recyclable✓ Advantage
Cost/year (lifetime)
€1.75-4.37/m²/year✓ Advantage
€2-5/m²/year
Aluminium
Alucobond, Reynobond, aluminium cassettes. Infinite RAL/NCS/Pantone palette. Lightweight (5 kg/m²). B-s1,d0 (composite) to A1 (solid aluminium). €80-200/m² installed. 100% recyclable.
Notre recommandation
Zinc for prestige, aluminium for versatility
Zinc is the choice for architect-led projects and prestige buildings — hotels, museums, high-end residences. Its patina is a powerful commercial argument and its 100-year service life makes it the cheapest material over the long term.
Aluminium is the rational choice for commercial projects, collective residences and controlled budgets — versatile, lightweight, colourful.
On premium projects, QUASART delivers mixed facades: zinc on rooftops and parapets (durability), aluminium on the facade (bespoke colours). A combination that optimises both aesthetics and budget.
Questions fréquentes
Tout ce que vous devez savoir
Réponses directes aux questions que nos clients nous posent le plus souvent sur ce sujet.
Can zinc be in direct contact with aluminium?
No — direct zinc/aluminium contact causes galvanic corrosion. On ventilated facades, aluminium sub-frames and zinc fixings are separated by EPDM shims or insulators. QUASART systematically addresses this interface to guarantee the durability of both materials.
Is aluminium composite safe in high-rise buildings after Grenfell?
PE-core (polyethylene) aluminium composite panels are now banned in high-rise buildings in many countries. FR (Fire Resistant) core variants or solid aluminium cassettes are compliant. QUASART verifies regulatory compliance on every project and never installs PE composite in high-rise buildings.
Is pre-patinated zinc identical to naturally patinated zinc?
No. Pre-patinated zinc (QUARTZ-ZINC, ANTHRA-ZINC) has a uniform industrial patina — homogeneous but less alive. Natural zinc patinates irregularly depending on exposure, creating a unique texture that evolves decade after decade. Architects often prefer natural zinc for prestige projects.