Copper roof - the benefits, limitations, installation

For copper we have a special attitude. Metal although not a precious, but still noble. Copper samovar, copper money ... Pushkin's "Bronze Horseman", finally (by the way, the statue is actually bronze). Even such a profession was in pre-revolutionary Russia - tinker. It is copper in Russia for centuries - and for centuries! - The wing of the dome of the Orthodox churches. Under the noble patina copper roof were (and in some places still are) the old homestead of the Russian nobility, experienced more than one generation of their masters ... At the same time "-saving the economy" "Copper Age" in the domestic construction was replaced by the "Age of Iron": copper was exclusively for the needs of the defense, and the typical high-rise buildings and factory sheds in the towns and villages of our country down-home wing galvanized. And the amazing quality of the copper roof again, "declassified" and available to the private developer.

Cheap expensive copper

Seriously about copper as a unique roofing materials, and not the elite, and quite available for an average homeowner, we spoke seven or eight years ago. Of course, the copper roof , as any high-quality material, it is not cheap (about $ 25 per square meter), but, first, its cost is comparable to the cost of a prestigious ceramic tile. Secondly, if non-recurring costs of the copper roof of the unit divided by its lifetime (which is a hundred years, exactly one hundred and fifty), keeping in mind the complete absence of costs for scheduled maintenance: painting - no need to perestilat - do not, you get cheaper most affordable of galvanized iron, whose maximum life span - for ten years. And then - provided the mandatory painting and fixing deficiencies in the spring.

Often, estimating the cost of copper roof, the customer asks the question: Why do I need a roof on one hundred and fifty years, since so much and do not live! Right. But what about the children and grandchildren? They will receive from you a wonderful gift - a solid roof, which will not have to worry all the time will stay home. And then: according to statistics, the average age of the builder - 40-50 years. So, after 15-20 years (average life of low-cost roofing materials) you have to be fit to sit in his house before the fire, playing with his grandchildren. And certainly, repairing leaky roofs is unlikely to become enjoyable in old age. Convinced? By the way, a prudent landlord does not think the copper roof is unreasonably expensive: for the past few years, "CPA" provided the copper tape 300 thousand square meters of roof.

What color image?

In fact, roofing copper is unparalleled, and it is good as a shield from the "acid" rain, and as absolutely eco-friendly material. And the prestige of playing host: copper "hat" worthy to grace any, even the most luxurious palace, let alone an ordinary cottage turns into a local landmark. And this for ages! Copper only get stronger with time - as the Siberian larch in the water. That is why the Venice and stands on wooden stilts, and spoiled innovations of Western Europe - a sheet of roofing copper. And all because, thanks to patinovoy film formed by oxidation in air, copper is extremely resistant to wear.

In addition, the copper conductive, and hence possible winter heating, roof, preventing the formation of icicles and ice dams. It is no secret that a stray icicle can hurt (or at least not outright scare) zazevavshegosya passer, and clearing roofs of snow and ice with a shovel and a crowbar necessarily "hurt" is itself a roof.

"Fresh" attractive copper sparkles in the sun, a blind eye. Some time later, the roof becomes a characteristic bronze color, and in another 10-15 years covered by the noble patina, malachite green, "as people call it romantic in the West. However, if desired, the natural process of aging can accelerate and by resorting to the technology of artificial patina. In Moscow, for instance, can hardly be distinguished from the copper roof of a historic modern, if it is artfully "postarili" patina. A track record of the copper roof "is impressive: Dvor and the Hermitage Theater, Novodevichy Convent and the School of International Business and city center" Novaya Opera "and the house-museum Losev on Old Arbat Street, a shopping center" Nautilus "and elite houses" Donstroya .. .

Roll - like a bank. Zaludit - as the pelvis

Roof work starts from the device side of the rafter. If the home provides a penthouse, is a standard insulating "cake". It consists of an insulation (thickness not less than 200 mm), paromembrany overlooking the pairs, but delaying the water, the air gap, providing adequate ventilation. And the last "layer" - crate. Such a complicated structure, which includes a ventilation system, provides a favorable microclimate in the house, the roof does not flow, does not sweat and does not decay during its entire life.

The next stage - laying. Installation of copper roofs can be carried out as previously worked with galvanized sheet: single-fold and the short list. However, most major construction companies are using modern technology installation. Copper rolled out a long list of full-length slope and "stitched" double-fold. The result is a solid roof, with no holes, which serve as much as the copper itself. Seamers provide roof leak tin!

Copper - a very flexible, plastic material, it is available at virtually any form of roofs. In addition, the roof immediately on the spot "cluttered" and all the attendant: plums, gutters, ice skating, gutters ... (And it is these additional elements usually affect the final cost of the roof, making, for example, metal roofing is two to three times the price stated in the advertisement). Since copper is simpler: in the case are any remnants of tape, all the cuts and scraps. No "waste"!

Everything in life happens. And the storms, hurricanes do not bypass any capitals or villages. Trees fall down and fly in a vortex heavy items plucked from the field of promise. And if the roof at the time welter not <went> and escaped with minor (or not), mechanical damage, then from all points of view to patch again, much more convenient to the copper roof. Lab-slate, for example, or pretentious tiled would perestilat completely (or, at least, a very significant part of it), and copper mend locally: zaludil hole (as copper pan), artificially "aged" patch, so it did not differ in color - and order! And not a trace otyschesh!

Copper is not only survive the bad weather, but any fad owner or his ambitious architect. Figure roof can mimic tile, masonry, fish scales ... Anything! True, the ornate pattern of more to come out. Hand, we can say the author's work. And she will agree is well worth it.

Now I understand why zealous clergy under the gold leaf on the dome of copper underlie - it is light, durable, easy to installation and maintenance.

The younger brother of copper

All good copper, but that's one limitation - the color. Dye noble copper roof - all the same that the "record" a masterpiece of art: So if the concept of an architectural ensemble provides a different color (rather than the traditional copper - brown-green), then you can use aluminum sheet. Aluminum roofing manufactured by the German concern Alcan. Incidentally, this concern supplies aluminum for the bodies of some models of Audi and BMW. Roof is covered with aluminum complex polymers (PVdF), produced more than 40 colors, including coatings that mimic the old copper, light bronze and silver metallic. " This greatly enhances the color scheme of the exterior. For example, rainwater can be either the same color as the roof, and under the color of the facade. The service life of aluminum - 80-90 years, and guarantee to preserve the color is 40 (!) Years. Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity and resistance to sunlight, "acid" rain and mud. Polymer coated with a special film, which further protects it from mechanical damage during transportation and installation, roofing aluminum, like copper, is placed a proven method for centuries - folding, comes in rolls and is not slipping (so that the risk of slipping when the floor of roofers negated ).

The editors thank Konstantin Smirnov for help in preparing the article.

Stem:

To the roof area of ​​about 300 m2 (cottage medium size) takes 2-2,5 tonnes of copper (at a thickness of a sheet 0.6 mm)
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Some time later, the roof becomes a characteristic bronze color, and in another 10-15 years covered by the noble patina, malachite green, "as people call it romantic in the West
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Thanks patinovoy film formed by oxidation in air, copper is extremely resistant to wear.

Source: Boris Golkin / journal "Homeowner" 2005.

 Copper shingles Metrotile