Copper Roofing

There are few materials that can match copper in beauty, durability, and aesthetic appearance throughout the entire service life of a roof. Only zinc-titanium might rival copper.

In the 21st century, Russian builders are increasingly returning to once highly popular copper roofing. Due to high costs of both the materials and installation, copper roofing seemed to have lost its popularity in the country.

But as soon as potential clients gained the budget for beautiful and reliable roofs, copper roofing technology rapidly returned to Russia and is now rapidly gaining popularity among contracting construction firms, gradually moving from the top-tier segment to the mid-range market.

Copper roofing lasts over 100 years, and some of the oldest copper-roofed homes are over 150 years old. That's why in medieval times, copper was used to roof churches and castles across Russia and other countries—structures designed to stand for centuries.

Types of Copper Roofing

Copper roofing is available in two forms: standing seam (copper panels with bent long edges) and shingle metal (small-scale scales that transform an ordinary roof into a true work of art).

The advantage of standing seam technology lies in the way adjacent panels, or 'panels' as they're also known, are joined using a seam made by bending the panel edges with a specialized bending tool. Copper is extremely soft and pliable, resulting in seams that are exceptionally even and maintain perfect waterproofing for a long time.

In shingle roofing, small copper elements are installed in two layers so that the outer layer overlaps the joints of the lower layer. This scale-like structure ensures excellent waterproofing and resistance to all weather conditions.

Reasons for Copper’s Longevity

From a chemical standpoint, copper’s durability and resistance to almost any environmental exposure can be explained by oxidation. The upper layers of copper react with water and oxygen, forming a thick, gray-green layer known as patina. This patina is highly resistant to corrosion and helps maintain the perfect geometry of copper panels for a long time.

Patina is an oxide-carbonate film up to 0.7 microns thick. It is so practical that on some roofs, owners attempt artificial patination by applying special compounds via vapor deposition. Patina gives copper roofing a noble emerald hue.