Why Do Buildings Have Copper Roofs

Many of america s early homes and public buildings still display the unmistakable greenish blue patina of aged copper on their roofs.
Why do buildings have copper roofs. Copper has earned a respected place in the related fields of architecture building construction and interior design. Some copper roofs have lasted for hundreds of years. Berlin cathedral church berlin germany completed in 1905 the berlin cathedral church also known as the supreme parish and collegiate church is a historical piece of architecture from the german. Weaknesses of copper roofs.
The building paper acts as a slip sheet to prevent such bonding. Because copper has a tendency to conduct heat elevated temperatures can cause asphalt in the underlayment to bond the copper to the roof deck. Copper is a natural material that has been used since the medieval period to protect buildings and as such many of the most famous structures in the world use copper. Some of the world s most revered and famous buildings have copper roofs and not just historic medieval structures like castles and churches.
Many copper roofs are comprised of 75 percent recycled copper. The green copper roofs were designed to resemble to tents of the ottoman army and make the building one of the most distinctive in the area. And many of the nation s leading architects immediately. Buildings covered with copper can be admired for decades and even centuries.
The belvedere palace has a copper roof that includes four copper domes at each of the roof s corners. There are many examples of historical buildings palaces and churches all over europe with their green copper roofs and gutters proving copper to be both beautiful and. From cathedrals to castles and from homes to offices copper is used for a variety of architectural elements including roofs flashings gutters downspouts domes spires vaults wall cladding and building expansion joints. The history of copper in architecture can be.
It s an attractive material owing to its aesthetic value. A sheet of building paper must be applied over the felt. Rather than using shingles and tar which may give off unhealthy chemical fumes over time homeowners can place a copper roof on their homes with the confidence that the. Why do architects use copper roofs.
A copper roof is an environmentally friendly investment. Inspiring architects with copper s sustainable contributions to the building construction market.