What is a Copper Roof?

Copper roofs, which have adorned the tops of buildings all over the world for centuries, have a long list of advantages. They are durable and lightweight, and you may have a weakness for that striking green patina that sets in after a few years. They stand tall against high winds and are even fire-resistant. Moreover, they can be measured to fit exactly over the roof, eliminating time-consuming and potentially wasteful cutting and trimming onsite. There is, however, one disadvantage that generally trumps all the other pluses -- cost. The price of copper has remained high because of its general scarcity, which means that a solid copper roof will probably cost somewhere around $15 US Dollars (USD) a square foot. When compared to $1 USD a square foot for standard asphalt shingles, that green patina can lose its charm in a hurry. Copper shingles are an option, but even they cost four times as much as asphalt. To counter this, the manufacturers and installers of copper roofs often refer to ... more