ROOFING & CLADDING
With an ‘ A1 ( non-combustible material )’ fire classification … copper is suitable for cladding tall buildings using appropriate constructions .
Nordic Royal is an alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc , giving it a rich golden through-colour and making it very stable . It has a thin protective oxide layer containing all three alloy elements when produced . As a result , the surface retains its golden colour and simply loses some of its sheen over time , as the oxide layer thickens with exposure to the atmosphere to give a matt finish . A wide choice of Nordic Decor mechanically applied surface treatments is also available for various surfaces and alloys , particularly suited to interior applications .
Apart from traditionally-jointed , rolled material supported by a substrate , various other forms of copper for architecture are increasingly being explored by designers . For example , copper can be supplied in profiled sheets or extremely flat honeycomb panels , pressed to provide surface textures and modulation , or perforated , expanded or woven as mesh for transparency . But there is more to architectural copper than meets the eye , with an unrivalled lifespan , no maintenance and full recyclability .
Whole-life Cost & Carbon Benefits
The lifespan of copper roofing and cladding can be regarded conservatively as 200 years , subject to substrate and structure , and this is endorsed by
experience . Naturally , this longevity has a significant beneficial effect upon comparative whole of life cost and carbon assessments . Copper ’ s longevity is due to a complex patination process . It ensures extreme durability with no maintenance and resistance to corrosion in virtually any atmospheric conditions . And , unlike some other architectural metals , copper does not suffer from underside corrosion .
In addition , copper requires no maintenance or decoration . As a lightweight and flexible covering , structural support demands are reduced , resulting in lower carbon and ‘ whole of life ’ costs . Copper is also fully recyclable utilising long-established practices – 97 % of copper in construction comes from recycling – and has other impressive sustainability and environmental credentials . And , of course , copper retains a high scrap value at eventual demolition .
Fire-safe Cladding
With an ‘ A1 ( non-combustible material )’ fire classification to EN 13501-1 , copper is suitable for cladding tall buildings , using appropriate constructions . Low thermal movement makes it appropriate for any climates and locations , and it is non-toxic and safe to handle , as well as non-brittle and safe to work . And , importantly today , its inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces internally as well .
An expanding series of building studies showcases the diversity of surfaces , forms and applications available with Nordic Copper today .
For more information visit : www . nordiccopper . com or email : NordicCopper @ aurubis . com
Above , this major residential building in Bristol is defined by its 170m long façade , clad in Nordic Brown Light pre-oxidised copper .
Left , this mixed-use regeneration scheme in Wandsworth , London is defined by rooftop cladding in Nordic Green Living 1 pre-patinated copper . Photos : Chris Hodson
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