Copper Roofing

Copper has been used in roofing for millennia, and for good reason. Lightweight, durable, and stunning, copper has long been a premium choice in roofing. Historically, Romans used copper and even the Pantheon, the world-famous Roman temple, initially had a copper roof.

Lightweight

A copper roofing system is among the most lightweight options a homeowner can choose. With other roofing systems, the weight of the roof will cause stress on a home’s underlying structures, which results in costly maintenance and repairs down the line. This is not the case with copper! Because of its lightweight nature, a copper roof will not overburden your home, which will help preserve the structural integrity of your home.

Longevity

Simply put, copper roofs are among the longest-lasting roofing systems a homeowner can choose. Installed by a trained professional, a copper roof can expect to have a centuries-long lifespan. To give you some historical context: in Colonial America, copper roofing was a common roofing material among our founding fathers. The homes our founding fathers built are historical landmarks and have been actively preserved throughout the centuries. With these preservations, constant repair and replacement of the exterior and interior elements are required.

Low Maintenance

Besides occasional cleaning and minimal maintenance, they are the identical roofs that kept our found fathers dry from the elements. That is the kind of longevity a homeowner can expect with a copper roof. Today’s more common residential roofing materials require constant maintenance to ensure they stay functional. In the case of asphalt shingle roofing, maintenance is required every six months to keep your roof in working order. This is not the case with copper roofing. Unless serious damages occur, a copper roof requires nearly zero maintenance to function optimally. This is another way copper roofing is a long-term investment: after the initial cost of installation, a copper roof saves you money on ongoing maintenance costs.

Fire Resistance

Unlike asphalt roofing, copper is intrinsically fire-resistant. Copper has a melting point of 1,984°F, which means not only will it not combust under regular conditions, but it will also not distort. This high fire resistance makes copper an incredibly safe choice for homes built in areas prone to forest fires.

Weather Resistance

Beyond being resistant to fire, copper is also highly durable in response to weather conditions. Copper roofing is naturally resistant to water damage. Because of its antimicrobial properties, copper roofing is also entirely mold and algae-resistant. Beyond those, copper roofing will also never rot.  With steady rain, copper can effectively sleuth off dirt and grime, making it a spectacularly easy roofing system to clean.

Cost-Effectiveness

When you look at a roof as a long-term investment, copper roofing is one that pays dividends since it can last for a substantial amount of time. In comparison, an asphalt roof with regular maintenance can expect a maximum lifespan of 25 years. More, the maintenance required for asphalt roofing will cause an increased cost to your roof over time. Because of this, copper roofing has a higher upfront cost but will save homeowners money in the long term.

To summarize this with an example:
In 100 years, your copper roof can still be in excellent condition with near-zero maintenance. At that same time, your neighbor who chose asphalt roofing has replaced their entire roof 4 times. Equally, your neighbor has had two pay costly maintenance fees twice a year, which amounts to 200 maintenance payments! More than saving money on maintenance, a copper roof will also increase the resell value of your home. When you think about a roof as an investment, copper roofing is one of the best choices homeowners can make.

Aesthetic Value

We cannot cover copper roofs without discussing their beauty. Because of their flexible material, a copper roof can be installed on nearly any style of home, instantly giving a homeowner a considerable boost in curb appeal. Moreover, a copper roof not only gets more beautiful with age but is also more durable.

Let’s demonstrate this with an example. Do you know that greenish-blue color the Statue of Liberty has? That’s called patina, and it’s a result of copper aging. Patina is a natural oxidation of copper, which causes a natural build-up of material that acts like a shield. Not only is the patina a natural barrier, but it is also incredibly dignified looking. You can find patina roofs all over Paris, London, and Washington, D.C. Patina is what makes copper a truly unique roofing material. As it ages, it not only gets more beautiful but more durable!

Information provided by Ramon Roofing, my preferred vendor for roofing needs. https://www.ramonroofing.com/