Copper Metal Roof Installation
Jun 20, 2022One of the strongest roofing systems – Copper Roof
Istueta Roofing in Miami, FL, recently replaced the roof of a south Miami home that is 107 years old! This project was a fantastic experience and one that we’d love to share with you.
The Tear-Off: We began the project by tearing out the original roof, a very old shingle asphalt roof. When we started the tear-off, we found that some of the wood deckings had rotted. Also, because of the roof’s age, our roofers found some areas full of holes underneath!
Roofing Material Choice: The client chose Copper! Copper is a natural material used to cover roofs for centuries. Many churches and medieval buildings had copper roofing, some still intact today.
Copper roofing is becoming a popular metal roofing option. It’s gorgeous, it can last for centuries, is energy efficient, and adds a uniqueness to your home that no other roofing material can offer. While it is a bit more expensive than other roofing materials, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Let’s look at three of the top benefits.
Beautiful:
Copper exudes beauty and elevates the home’s curb appeal with its reddish-brown sheen. And as it oxidizes over the decades, it softens to the similar beautiful green patina seen on the Statue of Liberty. Considering that a copper roof will hold its beauty and value for more than 50 years, its cost is competitive compared to less costly shingle roofs.
Durable:
Copper is resistant to forces that take down wood shakes, clay tiles, and asphalt shingles. It is so durable and long-lasting that it may be the only roof your home ever needs. The typical lifespan of a copper roof is 50 years!
An excellent option for south Florida homes, copper resists mildew, high winds, and fire. It oxidizes (instead of rusting) and is easy to maintain.
An often-overlooked aspect of durability is the lightweight aspect of the copper roofing. Heavier materials like concrete tiles put stress and strain on rafters and sheathing. But, copper roofing decreases the strain on your roof deck.
Energy Efficient:
Like other types of metal roofing, copper is energy efficient. It reflects infrared heat so your cooling costs are lower. The other cost to consider is the environmental impact of your roofing material. Copper is 100% natural, mined from the earth, and completely recyclable. And because copper is durable, you don’t have to waste time and money on frequent roof replacements, as with asphalt shingles.
Since the roof on this home was a 16-ounce copper panel roof, we installed a layer of a GAF Versashield fire-resistant slip sheet followed by a Tamko asphalt-saturated base felt giving a 100% watertight seal.
Finishing the Project: Once our roofers completed the tear-off, we installed the copper panels. Then, we finished the small details and installed the gutters and downspouts.
The Result: When our client saw the final product, he was super pleased. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to do this project and the level of trust our client has in us. Now, this beautiful 107-year-old home has one of the strongest roofing systems available that will last many years.
Watch a short video of this installation here.
