With over a dozen roofing material options on the market today, which one should you choose? While I can’t answer that question for you, I can offer insight into copper roofing, a beautiful and durable material that can last several lifetimes. In this article, I’ll review the costs associated with a copper roof and its pros, cons, and how it compares to other popular metal roofing materials.
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What is the Cost of a Copper Roof?
Copper roofing doesn’t come cheap — it’s the most expensive roofing material on the market. The national average of a new copper roof ranges from $20 to $30 per square foot when installed. The price of copper roofing is significantly higher than the $10 per square foot average for alternative metal roofing materials.
Factors That Affect The Cost of a Copper Roof
The final cost of installing a copper roof differs for every home, as each house has various features that affect pricing. Factors like the roof size and shape, the home’s location, labor costs, and material type can raise or lower the price.
The table below outlines a few cost factors to give you an idea of what to expect from a copper roof installation.
| Cost Breakdown | Cost ($) |
| Typical Cost Range | $50,000 to $70,000 |
| Average Cost | $60,000 |
| Per Square Foot (General) | $20 to $40 |
| Labor (Per Square Foot) | $6 to $12 |
| Removing Existing Roof (Per Square Foot) | $1 to $5 |
Roof Shape and Size
The size and shape of your home’s roof will significantly affect how much your copper roofing installation costs. While regular gable roofs are relatively straightforward, they can become tricky when there are numerous steep peaks and valleys requiring sealing.
Aside from this, the square footage of your roof will also affect the total cost. Larger roofs require more materials and labor to get the job done, so they tend to be pricier than smaller installations.
Read also: Comprehensive Roof Component Guide
Complexity
Steeply-sloped roofs and those with numerous boots and vents usually cost more than gentle-sloped roofs with fewer boots and vents. This is primarily due to the extra labor required to fit the roofing material around the additional features protruding from the roof.
Your contractor’s team will need to use flashing, sealant ( find out our top-notch roof sealants), caulk, and meticulous work to ensure the seams around these features are dry and watertight. Since this process requires extra time and labor, you’ll face additional costs.
Location
Most areas require residents to obtain permits before building and completing projects like roofing. These permits can tack on additional fees to the final cost of your system, not to mention the potential wait before starting the project as you wait for approval.
On top of this, you’ll need to make sure you can order the materials for your area. If you live in a rural location, ordering and delivery of roofing materials can take time. However, if you live in a city, the material you need will be more readily accessible. Keep in mind that ordering the materials you need might add to your total project cost.
Labor
Labor costs of roofing contractors vary from one location to the next, and can significantly affect your project. For the most part, labor costs run between $6 and $12 per square foot for copper roofing installation projects.
Roofing Type
Although many roofing materials come in several price points based on the quality of the material, copper roofing typically fluctuates within the same range for the material itself. However, the type of roofing you choose will affect the final cost of the system.
There are three common types of copper roofing: shingles, panels, and rolled. Copper shingles are the least expensive at $13 to $16 per square foot. Copper roofing panels hold up the middle of the spectrum at $18 to $21 per square foot, and rolled copper is the most expensive at $23 to $26 per square foot.
Aside from the type of roofing you choose, the type of seam can also affect the cost. This applies to copper panels, as shingles require different installation methods. If you decide to go with a flat seamed roof, you can expect to pay $18 to $20 per square foot. For a standing seam copper roof, expect to pay $18 to $21.For a batten seam roof, expect to pay between $19 and $21.
Copper Thickness
Copper roofing comes in 16 oz and 20 oz varieties. This is in reference to the weight of copper per square foot. 20 oz copper is thicker and more durable copper, but that doesn’t mean lighter weight 16 oz copper is weak or makes for a worse roofing material. Rather, 16 oz copper will be slightly less resistant to physical impacts, like hail or falling branches, than 20 oz.
In my experience, the difference is almost negligible, so I advise that 16 oz is adequate for most homeowners. However, I would heed the recommendation of the roofing contractor if they suggest 20 oz.
Existing Roof Removal
Unless you’re working on a newly built home, you’ll probably have to tear off an existing roof for your roof replacement. This will add to your final bill, as your roofers will need to strip the roof of the old material before replacing it with copper material. Generally, this is relatively inexpensive, ranging between $1 and $5 per square foot for removal.
However, you also need to pay for the disposal of the old roofing material, which adds a lump sum to your bill. In my experience, this is also relatively inexpensive — a few hundred dollars — but it’s worth keeping in mind.
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What Are The Benefits of Copper Roofs?
As you sift through potential roofing materials for your building project or re-roofing process, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of each option. Copper is an excellent material for numerous applications, including roofing projects. Here are some notable benefits of copper roofing:
Long-lasting
Unlike many roofing material alternatives, copper lasts for decades. Often, copper lasts well over 60 years with proper care and maintenance (sometimes upwards of 100 years). So, despite the initial cost, the investment pays off in the long run.
Durable
Copper is a strong material that not only lasts for decades but holds up well as time passes. It is fire-resistant and withstands damage from hail, heavy snow, mold, mildew, and insects. Due to copper’s inherent strength and durability, some homeowners may be able to secure lower insurance rates.
Increases Home Value
Adding a copper roof to your home works wonders for its resale value (though other factors can detract from its overall value). Many homeowners can recoup as much as 90% of their initial investment toward their copper roof when they sell their homes. Of course, if you don’t plan on selling, this might not be a deciding factor for you, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Recyclable
Copper is a recyclable material, making it an environmentally friendly option. Instead of throwing the roofing material away at the end of its lifespan, homeowners can sell it or reuse it in another manner. Many other roofing materials, like synthetic roofing tiles, end up in landfills and can take up to 300 years to decompose.
Copper can be worth nearly twice the recycled value of aluminum and almost a whopping four times the recycled value of stainless steel. So, if you decide to add copper roofing to your home, you can proceed with peace of mind knowing you can recycle it at the end of its lifespan.
Unique Appearance
Homeowners who appreciate a striking, eye-catching feature on their homes may enjoy the look of copper. The rosy amber color creates significant high-end curb appeal and sets the home apart from surrounding houses. So, copper might be the perfect option if you want a distinct, stunning, and unique roofing material.
Energy Efficient
For the most part, metal roofs are energy efficient, and copper roofing is no exception. Instead of allowing heat from sunlight into the home, the roof reflects light, which helps keep the house cooler through the summer months. This can help reduce heating and cooling costs, making your home more energy efficient.
Lightweight
Unlike other popular roofing materials, such as tiled roofing, copper is lightweight. This makes installation much more manageable (though it’s best to have a professional handle this part). Also, the lightweight nature of copper doesn’t require additional roof support, so you shouldn’t need to add extra support (unless the roof structure is already failing).
Low-maintenance
Copper roofing is virtually maintenance-free, as it doesn’t require any painting or sealant coating. Once you install the roof, it usually doesn’t require any maintenance for years on end. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to check the fasteners and non-copper components to guarantee they’re in good shape. A copper metal roof itself requires very little maintenance (but it will turn green unless you remove the patina).
What Are The Drawbacks of Copper Roofs?
Although copper roofing has a lengthy list of benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Notable downsides to copper roofing include the following:
Expensive
Copper is essentially the roofing industry’s version of gold. It’s costly compared to other forms of roofing options, even other sheet metal roofing materials (which are usually less than half the cost of copper). Plus, if you’re getting a copper roof, you will likely want copper gutters to match it. This drives up the total cost substantially. This can deter folks from installing copper as a roofing material, as the price creates a barrier.
Stainless Steel for Solar
If you want to incorporate solar energy into your home, using stainless steel for the brackets on the roofing system when you have a copper roof is important. Other metals can react poorly with copper, so it’s essential to use something that doesn’t react. While this aspect isn’t necessarily a drawback for everyone, it’s something to consider.
Not Available From Every Contractor
The installation process can be finicky (such as standing seams), as you need to avoid using certain types of metal that might react poorly alongside copper. Due to the potential complexity of installations, some contractors might not offer copper products or installation services. So, if you decide on copper for your roof, verify your contractor offers their services for this material.
Changes Over Time
While copper’s beautiful, shiny, amber hue is a selling point for the metal, it usually doesn’t remain the same color. Many people appreciate the “live” surface of copper that changes over time through oxidation, but some might not like the teal look of patina. So, if you want to prevent patina on your copper roof, you’ll need to follow specific preservation measures.
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Copper Roofs vs. Metal Alternatives
As you browse for the perfect roofing material, it’s a good idea to sift through all your options. If you prefer to install a metal roof, the chart below outlines a few metal roofing alternatives to copper and key features like cost, durability, and installation. Of course, you always have the option of a traditional shingle roof too, which is less than any metal roof cost.
| Roofing Material | Durability | Cost | Installation | Style Variety |
| Copper | Excellent | High | Difficult | Good |
| Zinc | Excellent | High | Moderate to difficult | Good |
| Steel | Good | Low to medium | Difficult | Good |
| Tin | Good | Low to medium | Moderate to difficult | Good |
| Aluminum | Excellent | Low to medium | Moderate to difficult | Good |
Copper Roof vs. Zinc Roof
Like copper roofing materials, zinc is an expensive option for your new roof. Although it is slightly cheaper (about 10% less), zinc is still much pricier than other options on the market, yet it doesn’t offer the same benefits as copper.
However, both materials are durable, resistant to mold (and other organism growth), and long-lasting. Over time, both materials develop a patina, although copper’s patina turns it greenish blue, while zinc’s patina turns it bluish gray.
Copper Roof vs. Steel Roof
Steel is another alternative to copper roofing. Like copper, steel requires very little maintenance, making it a good choice for those looking to avoid expensive maintenance costs.
However, with an average service life of 25 -30 years, steel needs replacing more often than copper. While it’s upfront cost is lower, frequent replacement as compared to copper can mean that, over the course of the house’s life, steel roofing can be more expensive.
Copper Roof vs. Aluminum Roof
Homeowners can also use aluminum as a metal alternative to copper roofing materials. Like copper, aluminum roofing can last for decades, although its lifespan is shorter than copper (it lasts about 50 years). Aluminum is lightweight, like copper, so it usually doesn’t require extra roof support.
Aluminum is an excellent option for coastal regions, as it’s resistant to rust. It’s durable and long-lasting, so it’s a solid alternative to copper for those on a budget.
Final Considerations
There are a few additional aspects you should consider. The ideal roofing material varies based on numerous factors, so it’s essential to examine your needs and expectations from every angle.
Color Matching with Siding
Although copper features a warmer color, it matches most siding colors. You can choose from siding colors, like cream, tan, white, brown, red, black, or blue, to bring out the amber shades of the roof. However, you might not like the combination of specific siding colors with a copper roof, so be sure you think about this before installing a copper roof (or new siding).
Cleaning and Maintaining A Copper Roof
Copper roofing is incredibly easy to maintain, as cleaning and routine maintenance are virtually unnecessary. Of course, you’ll need to verify that other parts of the roof (fasteners, flashing, etc.) aren’t failing, but the roof itself should be virtually maintenance-free for many years.
You don’t need to finish or paint copper, but if you prefer the shiny look of new copper, you may need to use a special copper cleaner to restore the shine. Many folks that don’t enjoy the look of the green patina choose to have a professional clean the roof and restore the shiny amber color to the copper sheets.
Aside from this, there isn’t any cleaning necessary. Rainwater is usually enough to rinse off excess dirt and grime, but you can rinse off the roof with a garden hose if the rain doesn’t remove everything. However, it’s best to avoid heavy washing (such as power washing), as this can damage the protective coating of the patina.
So, Is a Copper Roof Right for Your Home?
Ultimately, it’s up to you. Copper is a great roofing material, and what I can tell you is this: The most important cost consideration is the cost over multiple decades of homeownership. While copper has a high up-front cost, it lasts longer than other materials, so it’s important to project those longterm costs. In doing so, you might find that copper is a lot more affordable in the long run.
Read also: Questions to Ask Before Signing a Roofing Contract
