Custom Copper & Zinc Podcast

The Hidden Rules of Copper and Zinc: Why Professional Installation Matters

• Jorge Fiscal • Episode 4

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Why Is It Important To Work With Experienced Trained or Certified Installers When Using Primer Metals? 

The difference between a metal roof that lasts a decade and one that lasts centuries comes down to one crucial factor: proper installation. Jorge Fiscal draws from years of troubleshooting experience to reveal why working with certified professionals is non-negotiable when investing in premium metals like copper and zinc.

Jorge takes us behind the scenes of common installation failures he's witnessed, from contractors relying entirely on sealants to using incompatible fasteners that trigger rapid corrosion. He explains how these premier metals follow "a whole different set of rules" than standard materials—expanding three times more than steel in heat and requiring specialized techniques to accommodate this movement. While an exposed fastener system might be completed in a day, Jorge reveals why such shortcuts lead to endless maintenance and premature failure.

The most fascinating revelations come when Jorge shares lesser-known technical insights: zinc becoming brittle below 45°F (requiring preheating during winter installations), the importance of proper ventilation to prevent "white rust," and how only specific fastening systems can withstand Category 4 hurricane winds. He contrasts the quick, inexpensive 5V systems used on barns with the double-fold techniques that allow metals to expand and contract freely over a century or more. For homeowners and contractors navigating these premium materials, this episode offers critical guidance on avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring that these beautiful, durable materials perform as intended for generations to come.

Ready to learn more about proper copper and zinc installation for your project? Connect with Jorge directly at j.fiscal@ncmr.com or call 919-538-9284 to ensure your investment stands the test of time.

To learn more about Custom Copper and Zinc visit:
https://www.CustomCopperRoof.com
Custom Copper and Zinc
919-538-9284

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Custom Copper and Zinc Podcast, where craftsmanship meets timeless design. Hosted by Jorge Fiscal, owner of Custom Copper and Zinc, we dive into the art of custom metalwork and how it brings lasting beauty and durability to historic homes, modern builds and visionary designs. Whether you're a homeowner, general contractor, architect or interior designer, this is your go-to space for inspiration and expert insights into copper and zinc craftsmanship. Let's get started.

Speaker 2:

When working with primer metals like copper and zinc, the right installer can make all the difference. Jorge explains why it's crucial to hire professionals who are properly trained and certified to handle these metals. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sofia Yvette Cojo, slash producer, back in the studio with Jorge Fiscal. Jorge, how's it going?

Speaker 3:

Hello Sofia, doing well, I hope you are.

Speaker 2:

Thank you, Sofia, Doing well, I hope you are. Thank you, Jorge. So why is it important to work with experienced, trained or certified installers when using primer metals?

Speaker 3:

When I started troubleshooting in this large company for the first couple of years, I was traveling all over to oversee and do the repairs. A lot of expensive mistakes, primarily on zinc installations. Basically, when we work with copper and zinc, we have to go with the basics of how these metals perform compared to regular painted steel, for example. We have to abide by a new set of rules. A lot of the times companies want to be part of a certain project because it's in their territory and the bid begins. A lot of the times, not having enough knowledge, they bid on a zinc project. I don't know historic restoration with copper. When we work with these metals it's a whole different set of rules. Even the tools that we use, they are all imported. Having the tools is one thing, knowing how to use them it's a different thing. So what I used to do is troubleshoot. We will find a lot of these installations relying entirely on sealants. Exposed fasteners is another common mistake Not utilizing the proper fasteners and also clips. We have to understand that copper and zinc they behave differently. As far as linear expansion, one of the basics is that we're not supposed to fasten through the metal. We have to allow for the metal for linear expansion. It will expand in the heat. In the hot summers when it's over 100 degrees on the roof it will expand three times as much compared to regular steel. In the winter that same year it will contract. So basically the installer has to understand this and go by the rules and regulations. By the water or by the ocean, we have to go by a different layout to withstand hurricanes, for example.

Speaker 3:

When we talk about a metal roof, there are several systems here in this area. We have something called 5V. Basically what it is is they put screws with neoprene washers every foot or so and they use it on horse barns and carports. That system myself I will not put in my house because eventually, due to linear expansion of the metal every year, you know it will expand. It will contract the hole through the metal it will become bigger In a couple of years. We well that roof. We will have to replace that hole every year. The movement back and forth by millimeters. But we have to go with a heavier gauge screw. There is but so much, perhaps three or four thicker screws.

Speaker 3:

This is maintenance we want to avoid with the system that we use, which is double fold. These fasteners are concealed. These fasteners are concealed sandwich. They are not visible. Therefore the metal can move back and forth in over 100 years. These other systems usually fail. There are some that just snap on. There are some that just require a single lock. Single lock, the double folds can, as I understand, withstand category four hurricanes, which is over 156 miles an hour winds. These double folds will not come undone. So it's like cars we have. You know, if we go with the exposed fastener system, it's going to be very inexpensive. The exposed fastener system, it's going to be very inexpensive Over time.

Speaker 3:

The question is how long would that metal roof last? How much maintenance is involved? And it's fairly easy. A house can be done in a day with that system. It requires no training, no special kills, just a drill and some of the basic things that we do in construction For a copper. If that same roof size was being done with copper, we have to do special fold bread pans and we have to have a specialized team that knows what they are doing. We also have to go with usually at least three or four stainless steel screws and fasteners.

Speaker 3:

So basically, we got deep into knowing all of the faults, correcting other people's work, and these mistakes could be very expensive. A lot of times they do have some repairs. A lot of the times everything has to be turned off and these materials are not cheap If they have a fault. For instance, we found one time a zinc roof installed with somebody decided to use regular steel nails and we had some copper nails and the galvanic corrosion, or white rust as we call it, over time started doing its effect. We investigated, we pried out and that's what we found Poorly ventilation creates condensation under the zinc, creates condensation under the zinc and this causes for the roof, for a metal roof, not to breathe and to rust from the inside out. So all of these issues, technical issues we had found and that gave us the experience of learning more about it's not only a metal roof.

Speaker 3:

We had come to help these big companies who got a contract and they are in the middle of winter. For instance, they weren't aware that the zinc, it's called brittle. This metal, with just a simple 90 degree fault, will break if temperature is below under 45 degrees. And then they have this standing seam metal roof where, oh, this metal is no good, they say. They call us look, it breaks. It's called brittle. So basically, what we have? To go and hire another person, preheat that standing seam and seam it by hand. They were not aware of that. They were not expecting that extra expense. It's very extensive but basically when we are dealing with these prime materials, a whole different set of rules we have to go by and we recommend the homeowner or the crew involved to get a qualified mechanic involved to get a qualified mechanic. Usually we get certified by these companies, such as BMZ, prefa and others.

Speaker 2:

Love it, Jorge. We'll catch you in the next episode.

Speaker 1:

Have a fantastic rest of your day. Thank you, you as well. Thank you, you as well. F-i-s-c-a-l at ncrrcom, or call or text at 919-538-9284. From historic renovations to cutting edge designs, custom Copper and Zinc has you covered. Until next time, keep creating, keep building and let's make something timeless together.