Part of the appeal of majestic, decades-old metal roofs is that beautiful, distinctive patina that has developed as a result of weather and time. And whether you're admiring that classic rusty roof on an old barn or the one-of-a-kind patina on a dramatic copper roof, know that you're not alone wondering how you can re-create the look on your own home (without stealing the one you're viewing!).
With a little creativity and know-how, it's quite possible to buy a new, long-lived metal roof that in short order can look like it's been doing its job for half a century. If you're wondering how that's possible, read on!
These photos show two types of our metal roofing tiles - brand new - that have been treated to look quite old. The first image is a custom Corten shingle designed for a project in Colorado. The owners wanted something rustic yet durable and capable of handling typical Colorado winters - snow, ice, high winds. MRN designed and manufactured this interlocking tile from the bare steel renowned for both its beauty and its superior weathering properties. Once it was made, we sprayed, rubbed and applied our own concoction of a metal patina chemical. The result? Within one day, the new and shiny steel developed the appearance of surviving many years in the Colorado mountains. The client loved the final result and we're just as pleased.
The second image is of a modification of our MRN S-10 diamond shingle that was formed from a discontinued copper-plated stainless steel material. We know that the limitations of this combination of metals means it cannot be exposed to salt water - making it totally inappropriate for coastal applications, which is the very reason it was withdrawn from production. However, metallurgists have been quite explicit that in the absence of salt water, the lifespan of this material combination is exceptional. We were able to source some of this material to make our diamond profile look and perform exactly as solid copper, but at about half the price. You can see that the bare metal looks like unpolished copper (because that's exactly the surface it presents), and so it will age and patina just like real copper. The result is as photographed - new material that looks like a beautifully weathered, "reclaimed" material.
An option like this is an ideal solution for someone seeking the look of aged copper but not the cost. It's not a cheap solution, but it's a perfect replica of the real thing at roughly half the price.
A word of caution - treating a roof to make it appear aged is an acquired skill. There's an art to achieving a believable, distinctive finish. You don't want just anyone up there, potentially screwing up your beautiful new roof. Ask for references and addresses or photos of other roofs - don't let someone learn this particular skill on your roof!
If you're considering a project like this and you're wondering where to begin or what to do next, call or click today.
