Articles

Featured

Exploring the Legendary Process and Projects of KPF

Shaping Skylines and Defining Urban Landscapes

Education

Zinc Guide Part 3: Innovative Zinc Patinas & Finishes, And the World’s Most Interesting Architecture

Learn about Zahner patinas and finishes and how they’re being used in projects worldwide to create earth-toned cladding, facades, accent elements, and more.

Education

Open Area Calculations for Perforated Metal Panels & Why They’re Important

The open area of a perforated metal panel determines not just how it looks but how it weathers, shades, ventilates, performs, and functions.

Ɱ, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, edited.

Education

Zinc Guide Part 2: The Intriguing Attributes, Alloys & Finishes of Zinc

Explore the timeless beauty and exceptional durability of zinc, and the versatility it offers to modern designers, architects, and builders.

Education

Zinc Guide Part 1: The Origins of Architecture’s Most Mysterious Metal

An Old World metal used for centuries across Europe, zinc is a relative newcomer to North American architecture, yet it has been embraced for the rich possibilities it has to offer the designer, architect, and artist.

Stewardship

Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Architectural Metals with the Life Cycle Assessment

Learn how the Life Cycle Assessment accounts for the environmental impact of metal material from its initial extraction, through manufacture and use, and on to the end of its designed useful life.

Education

Copper Guide Part 4: Star Blue™ — Zahner’s Blue-Green Copper Patina

While competitors often make their copper patinas look uniform, like paint, Zahner strives to do the opposite with a layering technique that creates beautiful toning effects.

Education

Copper Guide Part 3: Dirty Penny™ — Zahner’s Premium Iridescent Copper Patina Surface

A striking and memorable preweathered copper patina, with light and dark tones ranging from blues to greens to purples and reds.

Education

Copper Guide Part 2: Copper Finishes, Patinas, and Textures

The striking color and gleaming luster of copper becomes more intriguing as the surface interacts with elements most other materials abhor.

Education

Copper Guide Part 1: Copper Alloys—from the Stone Age to Modern Metal Marvels

From ancient Egyptian infrastructure to inspiring art and architecture, copper and its alloys continue to influence our contemporary world.

Perspective

4 Ways to Improve Architectural Materials Selection

To maintain clarity and consistency for all stakeholders across the industry, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines Five Phases of Architectural Design: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding, and Construction Administration. Of these five stages, the first two: Schematic Design and Design Development — focused on building needs, designs, and materials — are arguably the most challenging and laborious in terms of getting started and building momentum. Here’s a four-step process that can make it easier to get started, explore more concepts and materials, and deliver the best designs for the project and client.

Education

Stainless Steel Guide Part 3: The Latest Architectural Innovations & Applications of Stainless Steel

An exploration of the advanced applications and immense possibilities of stainless steel.

Education

Stainless Steel Guide Part 2: Finishes, Colors & Light Waves of Stainless Steel

No other metal offers the vastness and variety of options of stainless steel.

Education

Stainless Steel Guide Part 1: Design, Fabrication & Building Applications

The plethora of finishes and colors that can be applied, along with its timeless corrosion resistance, give stainless steel a versatility and durability that few materials can match.

Featured

Exploring Metal’s Role in Sustainable Architecture

Manufacturing considerations and the recyclability of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, steel, and zinc.

Perspective

The Role of Architectural Metals in Building Healthier & More Engaging K-12 Environments

An exploration of how architectural metal can be used in school entrances, outdoor spaces, and circulation spaces.

Education

Weathering Steel Guide Part 3: Preweathered Solanum Steel—The Next Generation of Weathering Steel

An exploration of the advantages and applications of preweathered weathering steel.

Education

Weathering Steel Pt. 2 History & Science of Weathering Steel

Improving weathering steel by developing an impervious surface and deep hues prior to installation.

Education

The Fascinating History of COR-TEN and Weathering Steel

A paradoxical group of materials, where decay is a feature.

Stewardship

Reducing Manufacturing Wastewater Production With Ion Exchange

Protecting the environment and supporting sustainable design and architecture best practices are fundamental values at Zahner. We not only study and observe the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship, but we also design with them, fabricate with them, and invest in them.