Copper Work

Copper roofing combines practicality with design flexibility, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its ability to conform to unique architectural styles ensures that it meets both functional and aesthetic needs. 

A well-maintained copper roof can last centuries. It brings incredible value to the home and surrounding neighborhood. But installation experience is the deciding factor on whether your roof will last a century or only a few years. Give your copper roof the professional touch it deserves with Hastings Roofing.

Why Use Copper for Roofing?

Over time, copper develops a natural, protective coating – called Verdigris Patina – and does not need paint to prevent corrosion, as aluminum or galvalume roofs require. For this reason, lesser metal products aren’t suitable to small roofs with significant curve; the bent metal will crack the paint, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion and rust. Among other popular metal roofing options, copper is king. Unlike steel, copper won’t rust or corrode, nor will it need to be painted at any point in its lifecycle. After decades of exposure to rain, snow, and sleet, this lack of extra maintenance can result in serious money and time saved.

Copper offers a permanence that few roofing materials – save for slate and clay tiles – can boast. And like slate and clay tile, copper is fire resistant. Unlike slate, copper is lightweight and can put less strain on a home not suited to the natural weightiness of stone.

Flashing Repair and Replacement

Not only do copper flashings look great, but they perform like no other material. Stronger than aluminum, it doesn’t rust like tin. Over time, tin flashings rust through, causing wood deck deterioration and interior water damage. Due to the volume of water which passes over the typical metal flashing, these areas are more likely to create major interior problems once deterioration has begun.

Because of the technical expertise required to replace the metal valleys, most roofers will perform temporary patches utilizing roof cement or caulking. Copper valleys tend to develop holes after 40 – 60 years, however, slate can last for over 150 years. Holes may form at the edge of the slate. Once the wood deck is exposed, any deteriorated wood must be replaced. Finally, the new copper valley is replaced, and the roof will be performing well for future generations.

Two courses of slate on either side must be removed in order for a valley to be properly replaced. Valleys that have been coated with roof cement are a sure sign of previous water entry problems. Roof cement, however, is only a temporary solution for such problems.