Table of Contents
Introduction
Sheet zinc is a relatively long-lasting and naturally corrosion-resistant metal product widely used in architectural, construction, and industrial applications. When alloyed with small amounts of titanium and copper, zinc becomes malleable and strong enough for bending and shaping into structured profiles using forming machines or manual forming techniques, without significant cracking or loss of structural integrity., making it suitable for various building components. Zinc’s excellent corrosion resistance is a noted attribute; the metal develops a protective patina as it ages.
In construction, zinc is commonly used for roofing, flashing, gutters, decorative elements, and wall cladding. Standard zinc roofing sheets typically range from 0.65 mm to 1.0 mm in thickness, with options up to 1.5 mm available upon request . These sheets are often available in lengths up to 6 meters, accommodating various architectural designs.
Zinc’s natural weathering process results in a distinctive, attractive patina that evolves from a shiny silver to a matte bluish-grey over time . This visual appeal, combined with its superior weather resistance, makes zinc an excellent material for exterior building components like roof panels, chimney flashing, downspouts, and ornamentation. Thicker zinc plates are used in applications demanding high structural integrity, including certain industrial and commercial settings.
While zinc is non-toxic and safe to handle, it is important to use proper personal protective equipment to prevent injury from the sharp edges produced when cutting or trimming sheet zinc.
The International Zinc Association is a useful resource for information on zinc applications and best practices.
Zinc Sheet Weight Calculator
This calculator uses the following standard zinc density values:
Zinc density: 445.7 lb/ft³; 0.258 lb/in³; 7,140 kg/m³; and 7.14 g/cm³.
Corrugated zinc sheets will typically weigh 10% to 50% more than flat sheets of the same thickness and area, depending on the depth and frequency of the corregation.
Sheet Zinc Weight Calculator
Number of Sheets:
Result
Zinc Gauge
Zinc gauge (ZG) is a specialized thickness measurement unique to zinc sheet metal. Unlike typical gauge systems used for steel or aluminum, where a higher gauge number means thinner metal, the zinc gauge system works in the opposite direction: higher zinc gauge numbers correspond to thicker sheets. For example, 14 zinc gauge is thicker than 10 zinc gauge, which is the reverse of common sheet metal gauges.
Zinc gauges are not strictly or legally standardized. Unlike other metal gauge systems (such as Standard Wire Gauge or American Wire Gauge), zinc gauge numbering is primarily a convention established by manufacturers rather than an officially regulated standard. As a result, zinc gauge numbers and their corresponding thicknesses can vary slightly among manufacturers and suppliers.
Because zinc gauge numbers differ significantly from the familiar gauge systems used with other metals, it’s important to refer to manufacturer-specific zinc gauge tables when specifying or ordering zinc sheets. Zinc gauge measurements are most commonly used in architectural and construction applications, especially roofing and facade cladding.
Table: Sheet Zinc Weights and Thicknesses
Note that sheet zinc manufacturing thickness tolerances can vary based on the manufacturing process, material specifications, and specific product requirements. When precise thickness is critical for an application, you should contact the material supplier directly to find out the exact tolerance values applicable to the specific zinc sheet product.
| Zinc Sheet Thickness and Weight | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Gauge (ZG) |
Closest Standard Gauge |
Thickness: Inch Decimal |
Thickness: Millimeters |
Weight lb/ft² |
Weight kg/m² |
| 6 | 30 | 0.0118 | 0.30 | 0.438 | 2.142 |
| 7 | 29 | 0.0138 | 0.35 | 0.513 | 2.499 |
| 8 | 27 | 0.0157 | 0.40 | 0.583 | 2.856 |
| 9 | 26 | 0.0177 | 0.45 | 0.658 | 3.213 |
| 10 | 25 | 0.0197 | 0.50 | 0.732 | 3.57 |
| 11 | 24 | 0.0236 | 0.60 | 0.877 | 4.284 |
| 12 | 23 | 0.0276 | 0.70 | 1.025 | 4.998 |
| 13 | 21 | 0.0315 | 0.80 | 1.17 | 5.712 |
| 14 | 20 | 0.0354 | 0.90 | 1.315 | 6.426 |
| 15 | 19 | 0.0394 | 1.00 | 1.46 | 7.14 |
| 16 | 19 | 0.0433 | 1.10 | 1.606 | 7.854 |
| 17 | 18 | 0.0472 | 1.20 | 1.751 | 8.568 |
| 18 | 17 | 0.0551 | 1.40 | 2.043 | 9.996 |
| 19 | 16 | 0.0591 | 1.50 | 2.189 | 10.71 |
| 20 | 15 | 0.0709 | 1.80 | 2.624 | 12.852 |
| 21 | 14 | 0.0787 | 2.00 | 2.923 | 14.28 |
| 22 | 13 | 0.0906 | 2.30 | 3.368 | 16.422 |
| 23 | 12 | 0.0984 | 2.50 | 3.662 | 17.85 |
| 24 | 11 | 0.1181 | 3.00 | 4.395 | 21.42 |
About the Author
Jack Gray spent 20 years as a principal roof consultant with the Moriarty Corporation, an award-winning building enclosure consultant firm founded in 1967. Mr. Gray has worked in the roofing industry for over 25 years, with training and practical experience in roof installation, roof inspection, roof safety, roof condition assessment, construction estimating, roof design & specification, quality assurance, roof maintenance & repair, and roof asset management. He was awarded the Registered Roof Observer (RRO) professional credential in 2009. He also served as an infantry paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and has a B.A. from Cornell University.