--- title: Copper Roof Patina Process description: The copper roof patina process - how to achieve it naturally and how to artificially accelerate it. image: https://www.metalroofnet.com/hs-fs/file-16132196-jpg/images/copper-diamonds15_b.jpg --- [![logo-white.png](https://www.metalroofnet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/new2017/logo-white.png?width=188&name=logo-white.png "logo-white.png")](https://www.metalroofnet.com/) # Your Source for Metal Roofing # Metal & Copper Roofing Blog ## [Copper Roof Patina Process](https://www.metalroofnet.com/metal-roofing-blog/bid/56192/Copper-Roof-Patina-Process) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![copper shingles, Bay Area CA](https://www.metalroofnet.com/hs-fs/file-16132196-jpg/images/copper-diamonds15_b.jpg) This is a shot of our [copper diamond shingles](https://www.metalroofnet.com/copper/diamonds/) just after installation on a home in the San Francisco Bay area. Treatments to keep the copper shiny and new-looking are available, but without them, copper roof systems, like this handsome job in California, develop a distinguished patina that makes each job truly custom. **Here's what you need to know about the copper roof patina process.** - **Will it go green?** It's remarkably common to hear people ask about copper roof options and whether a patina is inevitable. The answer is yes - eventually. When a new copper roof is first exposed to the elements, it usually has the appearance of a new penny – plus a few hand and foot prints! However, being a natural metal, copper will soon react to its environment and began oxidizing. - **During the first few months of exposure,** a copper roof will begin to darken and develop a dirty grayish-brown tone that it will keep for some time to come. Imagine an old copper penny and you've got an idea of a copper roof developing its protective and distinctive patina.   - **So when does it go green?** Copper goes green and turquoise after prolonged exposure to moisture. Without accelerating the process, it can actually take 20 years or more in dry climates for this patina to develop.   - **Can you accelerate the copper roof patina process?** Yes. It's popular for people coveting that old copper roof appearance to use artificial aging solutions. These are concoctions of mild acids and other chemicals that dramatically age the copper in a short time – usually a day or two once applied. They can be applied before or after a copper roof is installed, and depending on the skill and experience of the applicator, they can immediately replicate the appearance of a copper roof with decades and decades of exposure.  Here's an example of a brand new, solid copper diamond shingle roof hand-treated for that distinctive patina prior to installation. MRN owner, Chris Testa, spent several days treating these beautiful diamond shingles to achieve this centuries-old appearance. ![copper diamond shingles | Metal Roof Network](https://www.metalroofnet.com/hs-fs/file-16132355-jpg/images/copper-diamonds19_b.jpg) **Here's the rub **-  there’s nothing like the look of a real copper roof,** and artificially aging copper roofs is as much art as science. **Don't spend a bundle on a copper roof and then hire just anyone to accelerate the copper roof patina process for you! Interested in copper roofing? We've got solid copper in [tiles](https://www.metalroofnet.com/copper/tiles/), [shakes](https://www.metalroofnet.com/copper/copper-shakes/) and [shingles](https://www.metalroofnet.com/copper/shingle/), [panels](https://www.metalroofnet.com/copper/panels/) and these beautiful [diamond shingles.](https://www.metalroofnet.com/copper/diamonds/) Feel free to call or fill out our [contact form](https://www.metalroofnet.com/contact/), and we'll be happy to chat about our favorite material! 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