the metal wrapper that clads the roof and e/w elevations, the main architectural feature of the project, was truly
a labor of love. convincing our client that it was necessary was not easy but finding a sheet metal contractor to
fabricate and install within our budget was nearly impossible. we had always intended to use a zinc shingle
cladding made by vmzinc called the dexter panel, which is marketed as an extremely inexpensive, click together
'metal roof in a box'. we were really excited about this product: it appeared affordable and uncomplicated and yet
produced the exact look we were after. vmzinc killed this excitement quickly. the company was totally
uninterested in our "little" project (which might explain why there are so few examples of the dexter panel in use),
unhelpful to the point of being difficult, and ultimately informed us that to use the product we would need to
contract with one of their "official" installers. there are only two in southern california, both of whom are
enormous commercial sheet metal subs who quoted triple what the job should have cost. we reluctantly decided
to forgo the off the shelf system and try to find someone to make custom panels using vmzinc sheeting. because
the connections, edges, and transitions of the material where the roof-meets-walls-meets-fascia were so
important to us, we worked out everything in detail. finding an interested sheet metal contractor was more
difficult than expected and our client's already existing apprehension began to really take root.
we happened to walk by a new board shop on venice blvd and noticed a zinc cladding system similar to ours.
a fair amount of internet sleuthing led us to the architect who highly, highly recommended their fabricator
pat morrison of venice copperworks sheet metal. pat is an awesome guy. his attention to detail and level of
craft is phenomenal and beyond what we ever expected. as we watched the cost of zinc skyrocket, he
suggested an alternative custom black painted steel panel that worked within the budget. he worked with us
on details to get every edge, every seam, every connection perfect. a true craftsman and a really great guy.
some details of the metal panel connection system with the wrap, the base reveal and drip edge, continuous
seams, hidden window flashing.
