• Aneffectiveweatherproofingmaterialusedinthe

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•Onaverageleadsheetlaststhreetimeslongerthan

otherman-maderoofingproducts

• Leadsheetisthemostrecoveredandrecycled

buildingmaterialinusetoday.

Lead sheetUses & Benefits

What are the uses of lead sheet?

Construction: Lead sheet is widely used in the building and construction industries, and is an attractive, effective and traditional roofing material which provides long-term weatherproofing, either as sheeting or as flashing1 or weathering for chimney flashings, gutter and valley linings, roof apex caps and other weatherings. It provides a completely watertight seal preventing rainwater leaks and so avoids damp and rot in homes and all other types of buildings.

Some of Europe’s most historic buildings use lead sheet and it forms an integral part of many of the continent’s most distinctive cityscapes. Its distinctive grey colour gives it a unique aesthetic appeal that complements a variety of other building materials. Some 85% of the total lead sheet demand is for this type of application.2

Lead sheet is 100% recyclable100%

Lead sheet’s unique green credentials

As a roofing material lead sheet is superior to its competitors in several significant ways:

Recyclable and a low carbon footprint Lead sheet is the most recovered and recycled building material in use today and can be used again and again without any loss of performance. In Europe in excess of 95% of lead sheet arising from demolitions is now collected and recycled. Lead also has the lowest carbon footprint of all metals3 because the production process requires relatively low levels of energy.

Low impact on the environment Its high recycling rate and long-term availability make lead sheet one of the most sustainable of all products. Lead sheet’s low melting point during the recycling process means it is very energy efficient. Recycling is very cost effective meaning a lower environmental impact compared to primary production and resulting in very low CO2 emissions. Equivalent man-made roofing products have a much shorter life span and often require the use of toxic adhesives to fix them in place. Most polymer/composite roofing materials are not recyclable and they are likely to be discarded via landfill or incineration.

elsia.org.uk/uses-benefits

Other uses of lead sheet

Health protection: Lead sheet also offers effective protection against radiation for workers and patients in the medical, dental and veterinary sector, research facilities and in the nuclear industry.

Soundproofing: Due to its ability to deaden sound waves lead sheet is also effective as soundproofing.

References1. A strip of metal used to stop water penetrating the junction of a roof

with another surface.2. ELSIA SEA report 20143. LSA4. Applying the average rate of corrosion of 0.89g/m²/year to an average

thickness of 2mm (equivalent to 22,680g/m²) indicates that, providing it is fitted correctly, lead sheet will last for thousands and thousands of years.

5. LSA6. ELSIA SEA report p1047. LSA

European Lead Sheet Industry Association (ELSIA)

ELSIA is the trusted voice of the European lead sheet industry. Its members have production operations in France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Spain and the UK. ELSIA member companies provide training for lead sheet installers and support the maintenance of high quality fitting standards. Its membership is also committed to a Code of Practice for the responsible use of lead sheet. Globally more than 100,000 tonnes of lead sheet is used each year and across the EU there is an international standard which ensures the quality and consistency of the material.

Health & Safety

It is recommended that lead sheet is only installed by professional installers. See ELSIA’s Leadworker Safety Leaflet (see right) and the Product Stewardship section of the ELSIA website.

Published by ELSIA, Bravington House, 2 Bravingtons Walk, London, N1 9AF, United Kingdom

Tel: 0044 (0)20 7833 8090 | info@elsia-web.org | www.elsia-web.org

Lead sheet - Uses & Benefits

Durable and long-lasting Europe’s historic monuments, such as cathedrals and chateaux, provide the best example of lead sheet’s durability - 60 years as a minimum - no known substitutes have a life-expectancy that approaches that of sheet lead. Lead sheet creates its own surface protective layer, or patina, which resists corrosion.4 Another factor in its durability is that lead sheet is very resistant to wind lift due to its high weight per square metre.

On average lead sheet lasts times three time longer than other man-made products.5 6

3x

Low maintenance and low lifetime costs Due to its long life expectancy, lead sheet has a lifetime cost that is considerably lower than substitute products. The ease of recycling effectively means the true cost of using lead sheet is the initial product cost plus installation cost less its scrap value.

Lead sheet will be almost 50% cheaper than alternative products over 40 years.7

50%

Lead installation is not affected by damp or cold weather conditions, thereby minimising project delays. Man-made alternatives often require the additional expense of adhesives and sealants. While drying times of adhesives can increase labour costs.