Steel, tin, or aluminum are the first three things that come to mind when we say metal roof. However, in centuries past, copper was the staple roofing material for mansions and houses in old civilizations. In fact, because many saw them as a sign of prestige, gold and silver roofing even existed during the time. Copper roof maintenance and installation achieves the same effect. However, there is much about copper that homeowners should learn about before deciding to own and install one.
Copper roofs have different variations just like other metal roofing materials. Huber Roofing has a great explanation about the three different types of copper roofs you'll want to use.
Copper Roofing Maintenance: The Different Kinds of Copper Roofs
You can install copper roofs on practically every architectural style and building type. It’s open to a designer’s imagination and the installer’s skill. You’ll see copper roofs on luxury homes and on elegant commercial buildings. Some buildings have their entire roof line sheathed in copper, while others have limited accents like a turret or feature awning over a bay window.While you can add a copper roof can to every type of building design, there are limited types of copper roofing materials. Each one has a specific design intention and installation application. Roofing contractors who are trained and experienced with copper roofing systems are the best sources to advise on what type of copper roof best suits a particular building.
- Continuous copper roofing: This is a specialty application generally designed and prefabricated for an exact job. It involves laying out sheets of copper on a roofing substrate that assembles in one piece without joints or seams. Continuous copper roofing is the most expensive option.
- Copper panels: Panels are less expensive than continuous sheets. They’re sectional copper sheets that arrive in standard widths and are hand-installed with noticeable seams. Some seams are crimped, in a process called standing seam copper roofing. Other seams are brazed or welded onsite.
- Copper roofing shingles: These are commonly used because of their relatively low cost. Shingles are hand-applied — much like any other type of shingle roofing product — but you need to be careful in preventing damage to copper’s soft surface. This method also requires copper fasteners to prevent metallurgical reactions that can happen when other metal products come in contact with copper roofing. (Read More)
With proper copper roof maintenance and installations, it can last for a long time just like steel and aluminum. However, homeowners in Denver CO should know the roof's changing color shade. From its sleek rose-pink color. In a span of 30-35 years, it will eventually become a dark brown, red, or even blue-green colored roof.
However, it doesn't mean you'll enjoy less of its benefits. True enough, copper is malleable, but it is highly durable and recyclable. Copper can last for centuries and has great resistance against rust and corrosion. Chase Construction has an excellent list of pros copper roofs have below.
Copper Roof: Why Own One?
Recyclable
Copper is fully sustainable. It is one of the most widely recycled materials on earth. The high recyclability of copper means that exploitation of existing reserves is slow. Depletion of natural copper reserves is unlikely. Only about 10 percent of the world’s existing copper reserves have been exploited to date. About 75% of all copper ever exploited is still in use today. For those with green concerns, copper is an excellent choice in roofing.
Durability
Copper is highly durable. Copper roofing has been known to last centuries. This makes it one of the best choices for roofing. Few roofing materials can endure as long as copper. Once installed a copper roof will last a lifetime and beyond. Some roofing materials have a short life span. They have to be replaced at some point which adds to your home maintenance costs. Copper tells a different story. Several historic buildings have copper roofs dating back over 100 years. The high durability of copper encourages resourceful natural resource exploitation. Even with its various applications and increasing popularity, there is no danger of copper reserves running out. (Continued)
Lastly, to prolong its lifespan and durability, copper roof maintenance is greatly important. Due to its highly-malleable nature, only use metal roofing contractors with in-depth experience in Denver CO in maintaining your roof. It might seem like a chore, but it is greatly necessary because it will nip many small problems (the root cause of many long-term problems) in the bud.
Prestige Roofing has a great list of maintenance steps contractors perform for proper copper roof maintenance. Read more about them below.
Copper Roof Maintenance and Proper Aging
A beautiful copper roof will last many decades and should need only minimal care. Strong and durable, copper has a natural lifecycle that takes it from a shiny copper glow to a rich, distinctive patina, one that is recognizable worldwide as seen in many historic buildings, some hundreds of years old.
To achieve that distinguished maturity, most homeowners look forward to or even accelerate the maturation of their copper roof to its ultimate patina. But no matter what stage your copper roof is in, there are still things you should know to help your roof look and perform its very best for a very long time to come.
Copper Roof Patina Formation
The patina color on a copper roof is a sign that the copper is maturing and actually strengthening as it ages. When a copper roof is exposed to moisture and air contaminants, the oxidation process begins.
A thin layer begins to form, which is the patina, sometimes called verdigris. As the years go by, the patina will grow thicker and it will change color. The color may vary, depending on the location of the roof.
For example, urban copper roofs may have a bluish patina, due to the copper sulfate that forms from deposits from urban pollution. A copper roof on a building near the coast may have a greenish tint as the salt air forms copper chloride in the patina.
It’s important to remember that this is a long, natural process. You can expect it to take even longer if you live in a dry climate that doesn’t get much rain or humidity. (Continued)
If you need the best local Denver CO metal roofers for copper roof maintenance or general metal roofing services, you can trust Roper Roofing's team. With over a decade of roofing expertise serving properties across Colorado, we are confident in providing the level of service you need. Contact us today!
