One of the most popular types of metal homeowners use on their roofs today is copper. You can use it as an entire roof system, as roof flashing, or adding it as an upgrade over a covered porch.
The truth is, most homeowners won’t be able to afford a copper roof. But how do you know if a copper roof is an option without knowing how much it costs?
Here at Bill Ragan Roofing, we want every homeowner to have the information needed to make the right purchasing decision. That’s why we’re going to give you an idea of how much you’ll have to invest in a copper roof.
After we give you the cost, you’ll also learn the 3 advantages of adding copper to your roof replacement.
How much does a copper roof cost?
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give you an exact cost for a copper roof. This is because labor costs vary from contractor to contractor, and the price of copper itself fluctuates regularly.
However, I can still give you a general idea of the price of a new copper roof per square foot.
If you're getting standing seam copper panels, you're looking at around $40 per square foot. If you’re looking for an aesthetic upgrade that requires bending, folding, or a lot of cutting, the waste and labor factor will make it a little bit more expensive.
The price above can be more or less depending on the cost of the material at the time of your replacement, plus your roofing contractor’s labor costs. If budget isn’t a concern to you, getting a copper roof or adding copper to your replacement is well worth the investment.
3 advantages of adding a copper roof to your replacement
Now you have an idea of how much a copper roof will cost. But is a copper roof really worth it?
To answer this question, let’s get to the 3 advantages of adding a copper roof to your replacement.
1. Copper roofing is a versatile material
Because of copper’s ability to easily bend into any shape, it’s installed on a lot of different areas. This makes copper one of the most versatile roofing materials you can install on a roof.
You can use it as a standing seam metal roof system for your entire roof, on a porch, flat area, or another covered area. However, most homeowners use it for accent purposes on bay windows, dormers, a front porch, chimney caps, and even gutters.
It’s especially great over arches because of the flexibility of the metal. While you can add copper to any roof system, it’s most popularly used as flashing on luxury asphalt, cedar shake, synthetic, and slate roofs.
Be aware; copper goes through thermal expansion like other metals. If you get a copper roof over a heated surface you need to hire a local roofing contractor that has experience installing copper to protect your investment.
2. Copper roofing is a lifetime material
Other types of metal roofing materials last a long time, but copper is considered a lifetime material. The lifespan alone makes copper worth the cost of investment.
Because as long as it’s properly installed, you should never have to replace it. Even when it’s time for a roof replacement, the copper areas of your roof shouldn’t need to be replaced.
However, if the area you live in experiences a lot of hail, the copper on your roof can get dinged and dented. As long as you have homeowners insurance, the insurance company should cover the damage caused by hail to the copper and your entire roof.
3. Copper roofing boosts your home’s curb appeal
We all want our house to stand out from our neighbors. The easiest and best way to do this is with your roof.
You can make your roof stand out in various ways, including choosing one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofing materials. However, the best way to make your roof and home unique from the rest of the neighborhood is by using copper roofing.
If someone is driving by or walking down the street, they're definitely going to take notice of your roof with the added curb appeal. Copper’s curb appeal even adds value to your home if you plan on selling it in the future.
While the upfront cost of copper can be intimidating, you’ll get it back when the time comes to sell your home. No matter how or where you use copper on your roof, your neighbors will do double-takes when going by your home.
Is a copper roof right for you?
After learning how much a copper roof costs and the 3 advantages of adding a copper roof to your replacement, you have a good idea if it's an option for you. The truth is, most homeowners won’t be able to afford a copper roof or copper accessories.
If a copper roof isn't an option for you, check out The 3 Common Types of Metal Used in Residential Metal Roofing.
Whether you have the budget for a copper roof or not, you need to know how to find a great roofing contractor for your roofing project. To help you do this, we have a checklist of questions every homeowner needs to ask a roofing contractor.
The 16 question checklist gives you the right questions to ask and the right answers you should get back from a reputable roofing contractor. Don’t get taken advantage of by the roofing industry; keep going to get your checklist.
Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided homeowners in Nashville with copper roofing and other metal roofing services. No matter what you need, you can count on our workmanship backed by our lifetime warranty to give you a roof that lasts for decades.
If you’re local to Nashville, don’t hesitate to contact us today for any of your roofing needs.
Whether you’re local to Nashville or not, you need this Checklist of 16 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor to ensure you find a great one in your area.
