Slate roof replacement project

[DavidP]

. . .that copper puts your slate roof over top of any I have seen

The alternative was aluminum, which just didn't seem right and wouldn't look good over the long term, I think (see next comment). The copper wasn't that much more expensive, relative to the whole job, because most of the cost is the installation not the material; the installation is about the same, maybe a little less for aluminum.

In four or five years when it starts to develop verdigris

Hold on there, cowboy -- move your brain into slate roof time (like tree time, a longer frame of reference than what humans typically use). It takes 2-3 years for the copper to turn brown not shiny, and 15-20 years before it starts to get the green patina. I have copper on a shed roof over my garage doors. It was installed 15 years ago and still hasn't a trace of green. It gets less weather than the copper on the roof will; even so, it's possible I will never see verdigris on my roof. (I hope I last long enough . . . )

I am very curious to see how long it takes before the slate starts to weather and we get some buff/brown/tan tones in the roof. I think it will be a few years but don't know for sure. In 30 years or so the roof will look as it should -- slate roof time.

[DavidP]

they did a chemical analysis of the original paint and determined that it couldn't have been pure white

That agrees with what I learned when I was researching paint colors for my house: the brilliant whites that we can get today, along many other shades, are products of 20th century paint chemistry. The cream color really is beautiful and doesn't glare against a blue sky. It's great that the church was willing to share the formula.

[Mick_VT]

I read somewhere that Frank Lloyd Wright used to get his interns to save their pee to pour onto copper used in his creations. Apparently it ages the copper very effectively

[Manalto]

http://legendsrevealed.com/entertainmen ... n-college/

[Gothichome]

I think David might get it trouble with the neighbours and the local constabulary if started pee’ing on his roof Mick

[Mick_VT]

I think David might get it trouble with the neighbours and the local constabulary if started pee’ing on his roof Mick

That's why you use student interns

[Gothichome]

I think David might get it trouble with the neighbours and the local constabulary if started pee’ing on his roof Mick

That's why you use student interns

[1918ColonialRevival]

In coastal areas, copper will form patina a lot quicker than in dryer climate. For an area that's not near the coast, I'd say 15-20 years is a pretty good estimate for when you will begin to see the first traces of green.

[DavidP]

In coastal areas, copper will form patina a lot quicker than in dryer climate.

Makes sense -- I hadn't thought of that. I am inland. I will let the weather do its thing without any (ahem) chemical assistance from me.

Update: my contractor somehow ended up short one piece of ridge roll. Everything else is done, the dumpster and port-a-potty taken away. Today is Tuesday; they will be here either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to install that last piece and do a final inspection and cleanup. I will post some final photos on my blog then. It's nice to have my garage and driveway back after four weeks!

[Manalto]

...the...port-a-potty taken away.

Well then, I guess your decision to let the copper age naturally is definite.

I'm looking forward to more photos to swoon over. Yesterday I ran an errand (picking up cast iron radiators - a cinch of a task ) at a nice 1920s Tudor Revival house. I admired its slate roof and saw the subtle, irregular aging of the shingles so I understand better the effect you want for your house. To me, any slate roof is beautiful.