Metal & Copper Roofing Blog

Won't A Copper Roof Be Too Shiny?

We've been working with an architect on plans for a big custom residence with specs for a large copper roof and other details. A concern arose regarding the presentation of the concept to the neighborhood architectural committee regarding whether the copper roof would be too shiny. Here's how we approached this to ensure approval.

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Topics: copper roofing


How to Boost the Patina on a Copper Roof

Because copper roofing is our specialty, we field a lot of questions about this beautiful material. Many of those relate to the distinctive patina that develops on a copper roof after it's been exposed to the elements. If you're wondering to to boost the patina on a copper roof, read on.

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Topics: copper roofing


Copper Roofing Tops a Lakeside Gingerbread Home

Since the legislative reaction to another virus has been to restrict everyone’s mobility, the opportunity we have enjoyed in the past of traveling to our customer’s job sites has been rather significantly curtailed this year. Now we face the challenge of seeing our metal roof products installed even more rarely than in past years. Fortunately, our customers are all too willing to share photos, like this one of our copper roofing topping a lakeside gingerbread home.
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Topics: copper roofs CA, copper roofing


The Role of copper Roofing in Green Building

We were recently contacted by a builder in New York who was doing some preliminary research on green and recyclable building materials. Copper roofing was on the list, and they were interested in general pricing. Here's what we told them.

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Topics: copper roofing, green roofs


What Do you Think About Faux Copper Roofing?

We got an email recently from the board member of a condo homeowner's association inquiring about faux copper roofing, and specifically whether it can resist dents from hail and offer level four strength and durability. Here's what we shared.

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Topics: copper roof system, copper roof facts, copper roofing


Roof Material Comparison: Zinc & Copper Roofing in 2017

There aren’t that many roofers who regularly install copper and zinc roofing products. Since metal roofs only comprise about 20% (although that number is increasing every year) of roofing material usage, it’s not surprising that most roofers don’t do it regularly - if at all.

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Topics: copper roofing, zinc roofing


Fingerprints and Discoloration on My New Copper Roof?!

We received a question recently regarding fingerprints and discoloration of copper during installation. It’s not uncommon for people to make such observations about newly installed architectural copper exteriors. Especially when the copper is at eye level, the normal impurities and handling marks can provide a stark contrast against the shining new surface.

The fact is natural copper is a reactive metal and it will display the evidence of exposure to all manner of environmental interaction very quickly - that’s the most obvious giveaway that we’re dealing with real copper instead of painted replica. There is no doubt that everything that touches or splashes on the new copper will leave a mark, and installing very large pieces of copper on a wall in plain view will inevitably prove the point

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Topics: copper roofing


Copper Roofing Prices - All Time Low!

With all of the things happening with the economy of Greece and the Eurozone, something interesting has happened to the prices of metals and particularly copper.

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Topics: copper roofing


Copper Roof Project Supplied by MRN Featured on copper.org (Again!)

For the second year in a row, MRN has a featured project on the Copper Development Association siten following the 2013 North American Copper in Architecture Awards! We're thrilled to have supplied copper roofing for such fabulous projects. Last year, our copper diamond shingles on a spectacular home in Atherton, California, earned a nomination as a featured project and today, you'll find that particular project as a staff pick on the copper.org site. This year, our copper diamonds again won a spot, this time for a custom tea house in Boston, Mass.

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Topics: copper roof, copper roofing, copper diamond shingles


Premium Copper Roofing - Faking it vs. the Real Thing

With nearly every copper roofing post we publish - and there have been a few - we spend some time exalting this material for its fabulousness. It's hard to do otherwise - for thousands of years, its beauty has crowned some of the most distinctive residences and public buildings in the world. But it's not just good looking. Copper roofing is equally renowned for its longevity. While it won’t last forever - though which roofing material will? - there are copper roofs in the USA that have been performing since the 18th century (have a look at this impressive example). This longevity is thanks to its incredible durability. Another notable feature about copper roofing is its famed patina. As a copper roof ages, it reacts with moisture in the air and develops its calling card - a patina as individual as can be. Add it all up, and you have a roof with tremendous appeal, making it one of the more expensive roofing materials you could select. 

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Topics: copper roofing, copper roof benefits