For hundreds of years, copper has been widely appreciated in the building industry for its superior durability and natural beauty. Copper is renowned for its freedom from maintenance, natural tint, subtle shades, workability and compatibility with other materials. No other metal enhances buildings so distinctly. Thanks to its unique qualities, copper has easily adapted to many architectural styles. Copper is an ideal material for different kind of applications due its longevity, corrosion resistance and workability. It is easy to form, natural and environmentally friendly material for all kind of applications.  By building with copper one can assist nature, maintenance-free copper reduces the burden in many ways. Copper is a leading material when it comes to recycling. Nowadays, for example, around 40% percent of the total consumption of refined copper is scrapbased.  Copper is virtually one hundred percent recyclable.

As a construction material, Stainless Steel naturally appeals to architects for its many surfaces and aesthetics. Widely used in our everyday life, it is recognised for its signature on many iconic buildings all over the world.

One of the earliest architectural applications of stainless steel is the cladding atop of New York’s Chrysler building, designed by William Van Allen and completed in 1929. Closer to home and celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Thames Flood Barrier is an iconic London landmark displaying the durability and low maintenance benefits afforded by Stainless Steel.

Zinc as a roofing, cladding and rainwater goods material is enjoying rapid growth in the UK due to its excellent green credentials and long lifespan. Although a buoyant market is good news for the industry, it has also served to highlight concerns that meeting a growing demand for zinc will expose potential skills shortages in traditional metal roofing.

Leading manufacturers of zinc products support the FTMRC in pooling their knowledge and resources, particularly for the development of organised UK based training programmes for zinc installers. In particular, VM Zinc, who already operate training courses from their Head Office Training Centre in Belgium, have already offered to provide material and expert personnel as trainers for the FTMRC’s UK facility, to not only extend personal skills and knowledge but also develop a more uniform guide to the installation of traditional roofing metals.

Although the training courses that are available on the European Mainland continue to be in great demand, a UK based facility will be of great benefit to the industry by enabling training to be provided on a far more convenient and cost effective basis for the both the trainee and their employer.

It is intended to progress from basic general introduction courses onto more specific training modules to further develop the skills of the more competent zinc installer. With the co-ordinated help and support of our manufacturing associates we hope to help the FTMRC contractor to develop a properly trained UK workforce that will get the maximum performance from zinc roofing and cladding installations.