7 minA custom roof has the potential to bring your home to life. You can choose from many custom roofing materials on the market today, but few have the prestige and elegance of copper.
A custom copper roof can transform your home’s exterior into an eye-catching showpiece. Homeowners are attracted to copper roofing because it lends a unique aesthetic to any home on which it is installed, but this isn’t the only benefit a custom copper roof can offer.
Learn more about the features you could enjoy after you install a custom copper roof on your home.
Copper Roofing Overview
Like all metal roofing, copper roofs come with a lot of benefits that homeowners love. If you’re considering a copper roof for yourself, then you must already be aware of some of them, but here’s a general overview of copper roofing.
Looks
Copper roofs are both durable and beautiful with a distinct appearance that changes over time. That’s what makes them a beloved roofing material and an excellent choice for roof accents, fully customized roofs, or specialized gutters.
Initially, it has a bright metallic shine, which gradually weathers to various shades of green or blue-green patina, giving buildings a unique and aesthetically pleasing look.
Build
Copper is relatively lightweight compared to some other roofing materials, which can be advantageous for the overall structural integrity of the building.
It is also highly durable and long-lasting. Most notably, it is resistant to corrosion, rust, and mildew, and—a great advantage to many from our great state—copper roofs can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it an excellent choice for areas with extreme weather fluctuations.
Longevity
Metal roofs on average last anywhere from 50-70 years, and your copper roof is no exception.
In fact, copper roofs tend to last much longer.
With an incredibly long lifespan, copper roofs typically last 50-100 years (or more with proper maintenance) as over time copper will develop a protective patina that enhances its durability.
Our Top 3 Reasons We Think a Copper Roof Is Perfect for You
When it comes to choosing the best roof for you, you’ll have to take into account many aspects, such as your budget, style, maintenance capabilities, and more. But it’s also key to consider your values as well as your access to the best and longest-lasting materials.
So why should you choose copper for your next roof?
1. A Copper Roof Is Energy Efficient
Energy consumption within your home is directly connected to the amount of money you pay for utilities each month. The type of materials you choose for your home’s roof could have a direct impact on the overall energy efficiency of the building.
Copper roofing is a great option for homeowners looking to reduce their energy costs (and footprint) by improving energy efficiency.
How It Works
Metal roofing materials, like copper, reflect both light and heat. The low thermal mass of metal roofing materials prevents these materials from absorbing and storing excess heat. The less sunlight and heat your roof absorbs, the cooler your home’s interior will be.
You can further improve the energy-efficient nature of a copper roof by adding a reflective coating that re-emits heat to your new roof.
Your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to overcome the effects of heat transfer when you choose to install a custom copper roof.
2. A Copper Roof Is (Generally) Very Environmentally Friendly
Some roofing materials are more environmentally friendly than others. Copper is classified as an environmentally friendly material.
There are many reasons why copper roofing materials are good for the environment. Namely, they help reduce energy consumption and can last a very long time. Copper is also a metal that is easy to recycle. In fact, copper can be continuously recycled and given new life.
Copper roofs contain a large percentage of recycled materials. You can rest assured knowing that your copper roof will not contribute to the excessive amount of trash that ends up in municipal landfills each year.
3. A Copper Roof Is Durable
Although we’ve already mentioned this, it can’t be stated enough.
Installing a custom roof on your home requires a significant financial investment. The last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money on a roofing system that won’t withstand the test of time.
Copper roofing is one of the oldest materials used for roofing purposes – and for good reason. Copper is extremely durable.
How It Works
This durability can be attributed to the natural patina that forms on the surface of any copper left exposed to the elements. The patina is a thin layer of corrosion over the copper, but this isn’t damaging to the roof. In fact, the patina provides protection against corrosion and deterioration, allowing the copper to retain its structural integrity.
Since roofing materials are exposed to the elements on a continual basis, their durability depends on their ability to withstand damage.
Copper roofs have the potential to remain intact for over 100 years. When you compare this lifespan with the 15- to 30-year estimate given to asphalt shingle roofs, you can see that copper is the more cost-effective and durable roofing choice.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Copper Roofing?
With all of the time we’ve spent gushing over copper roofs, you may be wondering, “So what’s the catch?”
After all, no roofing material is perfect.
Well, here are our two cents on the possible factors you may want to consider to make the right decision when you’re thinking of installing a custom copper roof.
Cost
Copper roofing tends to have a higher upfront cost compared to other roofing materials like asphalt shingles or metal roofing. Therefore, the cost of materials and installation can be a significant investment.
However, it’s important to remember that copper roofs last a very long time, require less maintenance, and are extremely durable. It just depends if you are willing to invest a higher initial cost when you’re considering which roofing material is right for you.
Finding the Right Installers
Working with copper requires specialized skills and expertise.
This is very important to remember when you start talking with local roofers, as you will want to work with a roofing company that has a good track record and lots of experience installing copper roofs—with good results!
Finding contractors experienced in working with copper roofing materials might be more challenging, and inexperienced installation could lead to issues down the line.
As a team that has lots of experience installing and caring for copper roofs, this is the point we really want to drive home as we’ve seen too many times the issues that arise when a roof isn’t installed to the highest of standards. So make sure to do proper research into your roofer, get a handful of quotes, and ask your roofer the right questions—
How much experience do they have?
What makes them copper roofing specialists?
Material Compatability
This goes hand in hand with our previous consideration of finding the right installer.
Copper can react with certain materials, so compatibility with other roofing components (such as fasteners or underlayment) must be considered to prevent potential issues like galvanic corrosion. This material is also known to expand and contract with temperature changes, so it requires the proper installation which allows for this expansion and contraction without damaging the integrity of your roof.
Things such as this are why it’s important to choose specialists who have the knowledge and experience to work with this material.
Ready to Install Your Very Own Copper Roof?
Selecting a new roof for your home can be daunting.
If you are in the market for a custom roof, copper could be your best option. A copper roof will provide you with the durability and elegance that you need to boost the value and beauty of your home.
Call Tectum Roofing today to learn more about how our in-house custom fabrication shop can provide you with a new copper roof.
