Erika Huber,
Posted
12/01/2009
Going
green can mean different things to different people. For
the roof drainage industry, it means promoting sustainable and
durable European-style rainwater systems in copper and zinc.
Sustainability and Durability
Because building owners and operators perceive a higher initial
cost, they are often deterred from choosing materials like copper
or zinc that have the inherent qualities of sustainability and
durability. However, studies show that sustainable, durable
materials and systems, such as copper and zinc rainwater systems,
are becoming more affordable and cost-effective. In addition,
sustainable design elements are becoming widely accepted, an
building owners are beginning to demand and value those
features.
When one thinks of a sustainable roof drainage system, the life, or
longevity, of the products come to mind. Sustainability is
difficult to define. But by any standards,copper and zinc have
impeccable environmental credentials and have long been used by
architects with experience in sustainable construction. The value
of any product can be measured in large part by the degree of its
public acceptance. On such important structures as government
building, public halls, hospitals, schools, churches and
cathedrals- all built for permanence-copper and zinc have found
wide acceptance and use all over the world, and in all
climates.
Through exposure to the elements, especially rainwater, copper and
zinc develop natural patinas that can reform if damaged, ensuring
extreme durability and resistance to corrosion in virtually any
atmosphere. The copper patina ranges from gold to chocolate brown
and eventually to the distinctive light green seen on older roofs.
The eventual development of copper's light green patina can take
seven to nine years in saline climates, five to eight years near
heavy industry, 10 to 14 years in urban surroundings and up to 30
years in clean environments.
Zinc will go from a shiny mill finish ta uniform gray in the course
of two to five years. Its soft, warm gray patina makes it a
versatile option suitable for any roofing style from traditional to
contemporary. Qualified VMZinc manufacturers can create quality
rainwater systems using not only natural zinc, bu also Quartz Zinc
(pre-weathered) and AnthrZinc (black), giving building owners a
wide range of aesthetic choices.
The natural patinas that copper and zinc develop give them
incredible longevity-usually around 100 years. And it is this
longevity that makes copper and zinc rainwater system one of the
most affordable building products over the life of a building. For
example, most aluminum gutter systems need to be replaced every 15
to 25 years, or about four to seven times before an owner would
have to consider replacing a comparable copper or zinc rainwater
system.
While sustainability is an important factor in going green, it's
not the only one. Sustainability depends on durability. Especially
for lifetime roofs in metal, slate and tile, for example, the
choice of rainwater system is also tied to the durability of
roofing materials meant to last a lifetime or longer. Properly
applied, a quality roof drainage system provides insurance against
costly repairs to the interior, and against maintenance expense.
Copper and zinc have long been known as the most durable of raw
materials, having the necessary qualities to protect a structure
against attacks by the elements at its most vital point, the
roof.
The
European Style
Making an investment in a lifetime roof requires carefully choosing
a roof drainage system that matches the durability of the roof and
building it is designed to protect. In the U.S. market, only the
European-style system has the features necessary to meet the
durability of a lifetime roof, withstanding the stress of carrying
away the water shed by roof surfaces designed to last 100 years or
more. The unique features of the European style are key to its
superior durability over the American-style. The European-style
half-round gutters have deeper profiles than the American style and
feature a back lip that prevents overflow and locks the gutter in
place when overlapping sections. Also key to durability is the
choice of downspouts. Downspouts with quality seamless-welds last
longer than those that are seamed or soldered, and flared ends
provide a custom fit that prevents leakage. Of equal importance are
high-quality roof drainage components and accessories: hangers,
miters, brackets and elbows, to name a few. In order to support
high-quality, durable gutters and downspouts one needs to carefully
choose components and accessories especially made for the European
system.
The origin of the European roof drainage system is obvious in its
name-it refers to its origins in Western Europe, where high-quality
copper and zinc roof drainage systems are the norm. While European
has historically been analogous with durability and sustainability-
the same attributes that earn rainwater systems the green
label-often European is also seen as more expensive and exclusive.
But as the U.S. begins to accept and promote green products,
consumers are learning that green doesn't have to mean
cost-prohibitive. In fact, the initial investment is far less than
the aggregate investment one would have to make over the life of a
building if a lesser quality system is chosen. Even so, promoting
green building elements, such as copper or zinc European style
rainwater systems, means convincing building owners to make an
investment in the future. This task is made easier because there is
compelling evidence that building owners will realize significant
ongoing operational cost savings for both new and existing
buildings by employing green practices. And research shows that
copper and zinc are more cost effective materials than virtually
any other roofing materials with a 30-year or greater life, due to
their durability, maintenance-free nature and ultimate salvage
value.
Made in the USA
Among other things, going green has an impact on the U.S. economy.
The domestic residential and commercial construction markets are
leading economic indicators. And as the economy improves, consumers
will get back to spending money on their homes and businesses, and
industry leaders will invest in capital preservation, renovation
and restoration. Total construction spending in the U.S. is
estimated to improve by two-thirds in 2010 over spending in 2009.
The key to such improvement is ensuring that U.S. construction
dollars are spent on U.S. products and labor.
One factor that will determine where the dollars are spent is where
the goods com from. "Our customers ask us to be accountable to our
EuroGutter USA name. They want assurance that their rainwater goods
are made in theU.S.A., using U.S. materials and labor," said
Michelle McNatt, customer service representative at Ornametals
Manufacturing, Decatur, Ala. Ornametals is the only U.S.
manufacturer of Eurogutter USA, a rainwater system featuring
European style half-round gutters and seamless weld downspouts in
copper and zinc.
With the end of the recession, U.S. manufacturers of green building
elements, like European-style rainwater systems, are uniquely
positioned to support recovery. "What matters as much as where the
goods come from is how fast we can get them," said Katia Griggs of
Griggs Systems Inc., San Mateo,Calif., a manufacturers'
representative. "Our clients are quickly increasing inventory,
getting ready for the improving economy. They can't afford to wait
on imports."
In summary, while going green means many different things to
different people, for building owners and other decision-makers i
means choosing building products and design elements that are
environmentally friendly. It means choosing sustainable and durable
materials and using them in a manner that supports the increasing
demand for green building practices. It means supporting the U.S.
economy as it adjusts to the demands of consumers who choose to
invest in the future. For the roof drainage industry, this means
choosing European-style rainwater systems in copper and zinc-made
in the USA.
Erika Huber is the marketing director for
Ornametals Manufacturing, Decatur, Ala. For more information, go to
www.eurogutterusa.com.
www.eurogutterusa.com