Getting a new roof involves some important decisions you have to make. This includes the type of roofing material you want, the rest of your roof system's components, and hiring the right roofing contractor.
But another important thing you probably didn’t consider is the kind of metal you want your roof flashing to be. While most homeowners go with aluminum and steel, copper is also a great option.
However, it will be expensive to upgrade to copper roof flashing. So, that begs the question, is copper roof flashing worth it?
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand their copper flashing investment and what they get out of it by adding it to their roof. Now we want to help you determine if copper roof flashing is worth it and right for you.
This article starts by helping you determine if copper flashing is worth it by giving you the advantages of copper roofing in general. After that, we’ll dig into if your situation is right for copper roof flashing and if it’s really worth it for you specifically.
Is copper roof flashing worth it?
Copper roof flashing is a great addition to your roof system. But it would be subjective for me to say it’s worth it.
That’s why you need to be able to determine on your own if copper roof flashing is worth it. The best way to do this is by learning the advantages of copper roofing in general.
Below are the three main advantages of copper to help determine if it’s worth it to add to your roof replacement.
Copper is considered a lifetime material
The biggest advantage that makes copper worth the money is its lifespan. Other metals last a long time, but copper is a lifetime material.
This means, as long as it’s properly installed, you should never have to replace it. Even when your roof is ready to be replaced, the copper areas of your roof shouldn’t need to be replaced.
Be aware, copper on your roof can get dinged and dented if you live in an area that experiences a lot of hail. But as long as you have homeowners insurance, the insurance company should cover the damage caused by hail to copper and the rest of your roof.
If you have the budget, the lifespan of copper makes it worth the cost of investment all on its own.
Adding copper to your roof boosts your home’s overall curb appeal
Every homeowner wants their home’s curb appeal to stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. There are great ways to raise your home’s curb appeal when getting a new roof.
You can do this by choosing one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofing materials on the market. But the best way to make your roof unique from the rest is by adding copper.
(Copper flashing on cedar shake roof)
Adding copper roof flashing really boosts your home’s curb appeal. The curb appeal of copper even adds value to your home if you have plans to sell it in the future.
The upfront cost of copper is intimidating, but you should recoup it when the time comes to sell. No matter what, copper will raise your home’s curb appeal, and your neighbors will definitely take notice when driving by or walking down the street.
Just know that the copper will eventually patina as it ages and oxidizes. This is only an aesthetic thing and really depends on whether you like the greenish-blue look.
Copper can be used for multiple purposes during your roof replacement
You’re here to learn if copper roof flashing is worth the money. But that’s not the only way you can add copper to your roof replacement.
(Copper on multiple areas of a roof)
Because copper can easily bend into any shape, it’s installed on a lot of different areas. Most homeowners use it for accent purposes like roof flashing, on dormers, over bay windows, a chimney cap, or even gutters.
Copper is especially great over arches because of the flexibility. While you can use it to accent your roof, you can even get it as a standing seam metal roof over a porch, a flat (or low slope) area, or your entire roof.
(Copper standing seam metal roof)
No matter where you decide to put copper on your roof, just know that it will be a large investment.
Is your situation right for copper roof flashing?
After learning the advantages of copper roofing as a whole, you should have a good idea if copper flashing is worth it. But is it really right for your situation?
Like I said earlier, copper roof flashing is a great addition to your roof system. But the truth is, most people won’t be able to afford it.
Homeowners who get premium roof systems (luxury asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, composite shingles, and slate tiles) add copper roof flashing because they can usually afford it. So, if you’re seriously considering a premium roof system, copper roof flashing is definitely worth it.
But if you’re considering architectural asphalt shingles (the most commonly used roofing material), copper roof flashing probably won’t be right for you. Even though you can still do it, it’s very rare to see copper on an asphalt roof that doesn’t have a luxury shingle.
At the end of the day, if you have the budget and like the look, adding copper flashing is worth the investment.
How much does a roof really cost?
Now you know if copper roof flashing is worth it and what situation is right for adding it to your roof. If you want to add copper flashing to your roof replacement, great.
It will be well worth the investment. On the other hand, if you don’t have the budget or it’s not right for your situation, there’s nothing wrong with using aluminum or steel for flashing.
But how can you truly determine if copper roof flashing is in your budget without knowing how much a new roof costs? Unfortunately, it’s hard to find information about pricing because the roofing industry avoids questions about it.
We take pride in answering tough cost questions from homeowners head-on. That’s why we wrote another article breaking down the price per square foot for a new roof based on the roofing material you choose.
Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas find the right roof that fits their budget. After the work is done, you’ll have not only a beautiful new roof but also a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
Check out The Average Cost to Replace a Roof: Which Roofing Material Fits Your Budget to learn how much roof costs and the type that fits your budget.
