A Copper Dream

Patina is one of the words I learned in architecture school.  It’s a compact and fancy word to describe something we’re all familiar with:  the oxidation of a material that results in a change of its color.  The most common material that patinas that's used as an architectural element is copper. 

Copper is one of those amazing materials I’ve dreamt of using on a building, but have not yet had the opportunity to use.  When it first goes on it’s a pretty metallic peachy color, which looks good on its own.  Then, over time, it slowly changes to the beautiful blue-green.  The variegated color that results gives so much character to a building.

Here are some structures that have a beautiful patina:

Statue of Liberty

Copper Dome

Clock

Medac Building

A modern-day example: The Medac Building (above) is one of my favorite buildings in Wilmington, NC.  The variation in color of the copper panels creates movement along the facade.  It's a nice surprise in the sea of mundane buildings.

-S.L.

The Roof Over Your Head

The roof of your home is an important consideration.  But once in place, the roof is little thought about.  Your roof is important for keeping your home dry, it blocks the sun's rays at the eave overhang, it covers your porch, the color and material bring a cohesive look to your home, and different pitches will give you drastically different results.  All of these things show that the roof can have a dramatic impact on the look of your home.

In this article, we will be focusing on roofing materials.  We specify three kinds of roofing materials for our Southern Cottages House Plans: fiberglass shingles, standing seam aluminum panels and standing seam copper roofing.  We leave it up to our clients to decide which material will crown their home.  Each one each will give you a different look and each has a different price tag to consider.

Fiberglass shingles

2117 sf Shelter Cottage

Fiberglass shingles is the type of roofing that most commonly covers the homes of America. There are different shingle styles and various colors to fit any budget and personality.  There are also different warranties available, so pay attention to the warranty length if you live in a high wind zone.  The fiberglass shingle companies we specify are GAF and CertainTeed. 


If you are interested in something other than shingles, take a look at the following metal roofing options.

Standing Seam Aluminum Panels

2058 sf Island Cottage on Pilings

Standing seam aluminum panels are getting more and more common.  They provide clean lines and a completely different look than shingles.  Aluminum panels also cost more than fiberglass shingles.  However, the maintenance of an aluminum panel roof is very low.  The aluminum panel system we specify is the 300 Series by IMETCO.

Standing Seam Copper Roofing

Copper over a bay window.

Standing seam copper roofing is frequently used to highlight a portion of a roof, like over a turret, cupola or window, or as flashing in your roof valley.  It is also possible to cover your entire roof with copper.  Over time the shiny copper will dull and patina, giving an entirely different look to your home.  This is something to keep in mind as you consider copper roofing.  The price tag of a copper roof is higher than an aluminum one, which is why it is commonly used as an accent over the cupola or as an awning over the front door.  The copper companies we specify are Revere Copper Products, Inc. and Hussey Copper, Ltd.


Whether planning for your new home or reroofing your existing one, knowing your roofing options is important.  The selection you make will set the tone of the visual "feel" of your home and give it a distinctive look. 

Let us help you create a building to serve your needs at www.mcleodarchitect.com.
View our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.