Copper Roofing's Practical Benefits

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opper roofing is often chosen for residential or commercial buildings because it provides a classic exterior look that only improves over time. It's not a good idea, though, to choose your roof based only on the way that it looks. If you don't know or understand the practical benefits of the material used, it will be impossible to be certain that it's the best one for your home or business. Fortunately, copper roofs provide excellent mechanical advantages in addition to their classy appearances. By learning what these advantages are and where they come from, you'll be well informed for determining whether copper roofing will be best for your particular needs.

Lightweight

One of the biggest advantages to copper roofing is that it is exceptionally light. Of all roofing materials, only aluminum can claim to be a bit lighter. Compared with conventional roofing materials, a copper roof can be as much as ten times lighter. What benefits does this provide? A lightweight roof provides additional safety when it comes to the catastrophe of roof collapse. Copper roofing reduces this risk substantially. Additionally, because they weigh so much less, copper roofs don't need as many structural supports. A lighter roof puts less stress on the supports of a home, which is one of the reasons why copper roofs last for so long.

Resistant to Corrosion

Copper roofing starts out with a classic amber metal shine, but over time this is replaced by a pale green patina. This jade like layer provides far more than an elegant appearance, though. It also helps protect the copper roofing as a barrier to corrosive elements. The patina is actually oxidized copper, which is why it forms slowly over time. This layer is entirely natural, so no maintenance is required over time. With galvanized steel or tin roofing, you need to reapply the corrosion resistance coating every once in a while. For copper roofing, this isn't an issue at all. The excellent corrosion resistance of this kind of metal roofing is one of the reasons why copper roofs installed hundreds of years ago still exist today.

Reducing Safety Risks

There are many common hazards associated with roofs, but copper roofing reduces these risks significantly. Fire and flooding are probably the two most common problems that most people have, and copper is ready to protect against both of them. Against fire, copper provides extra safety because the material isn't flammable. This means that the roof will not go up in flames if accidental sparking happens nearby. Copper roofs also provides great protection against flooding provided it's well installed. Most contractors will put in a second layer under the copper roofing material in order to minimize the chance that water will leak into your home. This is one of the reasons why copper roofing is best installed by professionals.

Copper Roofing's Longevity

Because of these many practical benefits, a copper roof is a great choice no matter what building it's installed in. A copper roof is an investment that pays off well over time. Many copper roofs last for a hundred years if not longer. The key, as always, is a little care and effort over this stretch of time. Keeping the roof in great shape ensures that you will enjoy it for a lifetime.