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This article describes types of copper roofing materials, choices, installations, inspection, defects, roofing repairs, and product sources.
The standing seam copper roof shown at the top of this page protects Ely Hall, originally the Alumnae Gymnasium, William M. Tubby, architect, 1889, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie NY.
Copper metal roofing systems involve copper sheets of varying thickness and alloy, soldered or mechanically crimped seams, used on steep, standard, low-slope, and some flat building roofs. Life expectancy of a properly-installed copper roof is 50+ years.
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Guide to Installing, Inspecting, Repairing Copper Roofs
Copper as a durable roofing material has been in use for hundreds of years, in both hot and cold climates and on a wide range of building types. Our copper roof photograph just above shows a brand new copper standing seam metal roof (left) and an older standing seam copper metal roof (right) on a Vassar College building in Poughkeepsie, NY.
The new copper ridge atop the right-hand slope was installed during re-roofing of the opposing slope that is not visible in this photograph.
At left in our photo you'll also notice a custom-constructed copper-clad skylight over an area intended for use by art students and artists. More about skylights is found
at SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS. You will also notice that both the older copper roof and the new copper roof installation included continuous snow guards along the building eaves.
Shown above is ... well I'm not sure. This roof looks like a copper dome and it's certainly been painted with something - click to enlarge and see the peeling.
This building is located across the street from the Saxon Tower in Oxford in the U.K. Fasteners were mostly hidden except at the spire and roof edges.
The mechanically fastened steep-slope copper roof shown in our photograph (below left) is on a building in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while the steep sloped copper roof in our second photograph (below right) is on a building in Oslo, Norway. (Photographs by DF).
Examples of fastening details for the installation of copper roofs to the building roof deck or structure are discussed under metal and standing seam roofing below.
As our photograph of this tower roof on a building on the Vassar College Campus, Poughkeepsie, NY USA, copper roofing is used for
Aesthetic reasons, beauty, color of the weathered verdigris green copper
Durability
Weatherproofing complex surfaces where metal flashing is needed
Weatherproofing building components that are difficult and thus expensive to access for maintenance or re-roofing.
Soldered Flat Shingle and Flat Copper Metal Roofs
Flat metal shingles with interlocking edges were produced in both steel and copper, then soldered when in place.
Details are at COPPER SHINGLE METAL ROOFING - soldered metal or copper shingle roofing on flat or low-slope roofs.
Modern Copper Shingled Roofs
Zappone Manufacturing is a current producer of copper roof shingles, including copper scallop shingles and snap-together copper roof shingles. In appearance these contemporary copper roof shingle products resemble older soldered-copper shingles (shown in our photo above) and also older steel roof shingle products that we show at Metal Shingle Roofs.
The producer cites the long life of copper roof materials and higher-speed installation that using non-copper roofing shingles as compensating for the higher installed-cost than other more conventional roof coverings (such as asphalt roof shingles).
[Photos of modern copper shingles wanted: CONTACT us]
For examples of Zappone-produced copper roof shingles see that company's two marketing articles:
Below we have adapted and added to the Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) list of producers and sources of metal roofing, metal roof fastening systems, and related metal roofing products
Classic Products, website:
www.classicroof.com
Modular metal shingle panels and standing seam panels
Copper Development Association, Tel: 212-251-7200, http://www.copper.org/
Decra Roofing Systems, website:
www.decra.com
Modular metal shingle, tile, and shake panels
Dura-Lok Roofing Systems, website:
www.duraloc.com
Modular metal roofing shingles with granular coating
Fabral, website:
www.fabral.com
Exposed fastener and concealed clip metal roofing
panels
Gerard Roofing Technologies, website:
www.gerardusa.com
Modular metal shake and tile panels with granular
coating
Met-Tile, website:
www.met-tile.com
Modular metal roof-tile panels
Atas International, website:
www.atas.com
Modular metal shingle, tile, and standing-seam panels
Custom-Bilt Metals, website:
www.custombiltmetals.com
Modular metal shakes and standing seam panels
Zappone Manufacturing, website www.zappone.com/
Zappone Manufacturing, 2928 North Pittsburg St. Spokane, WA 99207
1-800-285-2677, Washington State Copper Roofing Supplier of Copper scallop shingles, copper shingles, copper bay windows, vertical walls, aluminum roof shingles
CDA: Copper Development Association, Inc., website: www.copper.org
Copper.org provides a free Copper in Architecture - Design Handbook at http://apps.copper.org/applications/architecture/arch_dhb/air/homepage.html
Copper Roofing, book by Carson Dunlop Associates
Copper Roofing, Master specifications for copper roofing and sheet metal work in building construction: Institutional, commercial, industrial, I.E. Anderson, 1961 (hard to find)
Problems in Roofing Design, B. Harrison McCampbell, Butterworth Heineman, 1991 ISBN 0-7506-9162-X (available used)
Zappone Manufacturing, Wright-Foundation Designed Home Features Innovative Copper Shingles", Zappone Manufacturing, 2928 North Pittsburg St. Spokane, WA 99207
1-800-285-2677, Washington Copper Roofing Supplier, web search ca 2009, original source: www.zappone.com/ImageSource/pdf/News/article2.pdf [Permission requested 9/27/10]
Zappone Manufacturing, Copper Sheet into Copper Shingles: Fresh Approach to Quality Roofing", Zappone Manufacturing, 2928 North Pittsburg St. Spokane, WA 99207
1-800-285-2677, Washington Copper Roofing Supplier, web search ca 2009, original source: www.zappone.com/ImageSource/pdf/News/article3.pdf [Permission requested 9/27/10]
Sweetser, Sarah M., Roofing for Historic buildings Sarah M. Sweetser, Preservation Brief 4, Technical Preservation Services, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, web search 9./29.10, original source:
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief04.htm
NPS, From Asbestos to Zinc, Roofing for Historic buildings, Metals - ", Technical Preservation Services, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, web search 9./29.10, original source:
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/roofingexhibit/metals2.htm
NPS, The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors - ",
Sharon C. Park, AIA, Preservation Brief 16, Technical Preservation Services, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, web search 9./29.10, original source:
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief16.htm
- - Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) .
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In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
"Choosing Roofing," Jefferson Kolle, January 1995, No. 92, Fine Homebuilding, Taunton Press, 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, Newton CT 06470 - 800-888-8286 - see http://www.taunton.com/FineHomebuilding/ for the magazine's website and for subscription information.
Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Architectural elements: the technological revolution: Galvanized iron roof plates and corrugated sheets; cast iron facades, columns, door and window caps, ... (American historical catalog collection), Diana S Waite, available used out of Amazon.
"Choosing Roofing," Jefferson Kolle, January 1995, No. 92, Fine Homebuilding, Taunton Press, 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, Newton CT 06470 - 800-888-8286 - see http://www.taunton.com/FineHomebuilding/ for the magazine's website and for subscription information.
[1] Follansbee Roofing, Follansbee WV 26037, Tel: 800-624-6906, website: www.follansbeeroofing.com and http://www.follansbeeroofing.com/products/TerneII.aspx Quoting Follansbee on TerneII properties:
Follansbee Steel is the only manufacturer of a pre-painted or natural Terne roof and is a leading supplier of metal roofs for new and retrofit commercial, institutional, residential and historic preservation projects.
Terne II - Classic Terne-Coated Steel
... is a new and improved version of historic Terne metal, ... Terne II has improved capability for resisting corrosion in all environments ... also has excellent formability, solderability, and affinity for paint ... without compromising mechanical characteristics. It can be used in flatlock, standing seam, vertical wall designs and virtually any other application in which original Terne has been used. It is strong and ductile, having high yield and tensile strengths as well as workability. This new material can easily be formed with conventional roofing tools.
With Terne II roofing, it is advisable to paint the material as soon as conditions permit. Oxide formation is slower than with the original Terne and the wait for proper painting conditions provides substantially less risk. The new material is coated with Follansbee's new ZT® alloy, a combination of zinc and tin. This coating is designed not only as a barrier but also to be anodic to the steel substrate and reduce the potential for oxidation before painting.
The traditional oil-based paints long required on original Terne are not recommended for application on Terne II. Follansbee's Rapidri paint with its faster drying time and ease of application is much superior to the old painting system. The Rapidri acrylic paints are aesthetically pleasing while offering enhanced durability and color retention. ...
Metal Roofing Alliance, E. 4142 Hwy 302, Belfair, WA 98528, Telephone:(360) 275-6164, Customer Support 410-534-6900, Email: support@metalroofing.com,
Website: www.metalroofing.com. Quoting:
The Metal Roofing Alliance was formed in 1998 by a small group of forward-thinking metal roofing manufacturers with the main goal of educating consumers about the many benefits of metal roofing. Since our inception, we've shown millions of people just how beautiful, durable and money-saving metal roofing can be for them. Over the years, our membership has grown to include paint companies, material suppliers, industry publications and more. Be sure to take advantage of all of the great resources our members offer.
The Metal Initiative, 4700 W. Lake Ave., Glenview, IL 60025, P:847.375.4785 Website: www.themetalinitiative.com/, Email: Louise Ristau lristau@connect2amc.com Quoting:
The Metal Initiative is a coalition of manufacturers, individuals and associations that have come together to provide information on the features and benefits of metal in construction. Carrying its message of metal primarily to the professional building owner community, The Metal Initiative seeks to gather and disseminate useful information for decision-makers.
Metal Roofing, an Illustrated Guide, R.A. Knowlton , [metal shingle roofs],
Copper Roofing, Master specifications for copper roofing and sheet metal work in building construction: Institutional, commercial, industrial, I.E. Anderson, 1961 (hard to find)
Corrugated Iron, Building on the Frontier, Simon Holloway
Problems in Roofing Design, B. Harrison McCampbell, Butterworth Heineman, 1991 ISBN 0-7506-9162-X (available used)
Grapevine Design Guidelines - Web Search 07/12/2010
NPS, FROM ASBESTOS TO ZINC, ROOFING FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS, METALS [PDF] chnical Preservation Services, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, web search 9/29/2010, original source: nps.gov/history/hps/tps/roofingexhibit/metals2.htm
Sweetser, Sarah M., ROOFING for HISTORIC BUILDINGS [PDF] (1978) Preservation Brief 4, Technical Preservation Services, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, web search 9./29.10, original source: http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief04.htm
NRCA, Smith, Thomas L., AIA, CRC, STEEL [ROOF] DECK CORROSION BULLETIN [PDF] Professional Roofing, [date pending] p. 58, NRCA, http://www.nrca.net/
"Steel [Roof] Deck Corrosion Bulletin, NRCA [ copy on file as /roof/Steel_Roof_Deck_Corrosion_NRCA.pdf ] - ", Thomas L. Smith, AIA, CRC., Professional Roofing, [date pending] p. 58, NRCA
In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.