Why You Should Choose a Metal Roof

The use of copper in architecture has been dated all the way back to ancient Egypt, where the doors of the temple Amen-Re at Karnak featured a copper cladding. One of the first utilizations of copper in metal roofing is attributed to the Loha Maha Paya temple in Sri Lanka. Built in the third century, B.C., this 162-foot-tall temple featured copper shingles. Copper finally made its way to the United States much later, but there is a section of the original copper roof on the First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia that is still in use after more than 200 years.

Copper is being installed on more residential buildings in recent years than ever before. While there are a few setbacks when considering a copper roof, such as the initial cost of installation, there is an overwhelming number of reasons as to why copper has been established as the premier roofing material.

The Durability of Copper

Copper has an incredible ability to withstand the torrents of mother nature. One of the most notorious examples of this quality is the Statue of Liberty. Dedicated in 1886 with a copper skin measuring about 3/32 of an inch thick, the statue has endured over 130 years of exposure to snow, rain, ice, hail, sun and salt-rich sea spray. This can be attributed to copper’s natural weathering mechanism. Copper does not react with water, but it does react with atmospheric oxygen that causes it to begin oxidizing. Unlike other metals, however, this thin layer of oxidized copper protects the majority of the metal beneath. This inherent trait enables copper to last for hundreds of years. In fact, the copper cornice at the Pantheon lasted for nearly 1800 years. Because a copper roof can last for such an incredible amount of time, many agree that homeowners who install a metal roof end up paying less than they would have with multiple asphalt shingle replacements over the same amount of time.

The Eco Friendliness of Copper

Like many metal roofs, copper roofs contain inherent qualities that make it friendly to the environment. Metal roofs actually reflect the majority of the sun’s rays, rather than absorb them. Other types of roofs will absorb the sun’s rays and transfer heat into the home. In turn, more energy will be required from the owner’s cooling system to maintain a temperature. This makes a metal roof much more energy efficient,

In addition to many metals, copper is 100 percent recyclable. Copper, such as the copper Principio Metal Systems uses, is more than 99 percent recycled. Also, more copper is recycled than any other engineered metal.

A Copper Roof’s Curb Appeal

When a homeowner chooses a metal roof, it is commonly installed with the bright, “penny” color that most people see when they think of copper. Undoubtedly, a roof of this nature catches the eye of any onlooker. But it is the dynamic nature of copper’s patina that homeowners can look forward to. Immediately after installation, copper begins a color transformation that can last decades. A copper roof can go through colors such as reddish brown, dull brown, deep purple and dark blue depending on the specific environment it is installed in. Although the terminal color is often the blue-green shade that people see on the Statue of Liberty, each environment will affect the final qualities. Regardless, a copper roof will add curb appeal and value to any home. Many homeowners also find that a significant portion of the roof’s cost can be recovered in the asking price if they decide to sell the home.