Copper Window Roofs

By Robert Robillard on Design

 

Built Out Windows Receive Copper Roofs

The picture above shows asphalt roofing on built out window.  We decided to dress up this look a bit by adding copper to the roof.
Copper is a high quality material and can add beauty to you home.  When installed correctly a copper roof will last a lifetime or more.
The roof pitch was changed as slightly and we also added crown molding applied below the roof.

Copper Roofs

Copper has been used as a roofing material for centuries and is viewed as having along life span with a standard of quality.

Like many folks, I have always enjoyed the verdigris patina that develops over time on copper.

Copper sheets are sold by weight with common designations of 20 oz. or 16 oz.   the weight refers to the approximate weight of 1 sq. ft. of sheet copper.  The lighter of the two is most commonly used in residential work; the heavier 20 oz. is seen in historic-restoration work or on commercial projects.

Preparing To Add Copper:

For this project we stripped off the asphalt roofing and removed the 1/2 plywood sheathing below it.

Because we were adding crown molding to the sides and front edge of this window we needed to raise the structure to allow room for the molding.  doing this also had the added benefit of allowing us to add additional insulation and foam any air leaks.

After raising the height with framing lumber we added the crown molding and then topped this off with a new layer of  1/2 plywood.

The plywood was then covered the entire roof with  a membrane called WeatherLock which is made for metal roofs.

To do a project like this you will need a metal bending brake.

Adding A Flat Seam Copper Roof

A typical flat seam copper roof has tabs and clipped corners to create and interlocking joint.  Our small roof only had interlocking seams at the three edges.

Because it was such a small panel I knew that one piece would suffice.  Any larger and I would have had to do this in two pieces to accommodate movement.

I bought preformed drop edge and cut and installed it with copper nails in oval slots. [allows for some movement]

When installing the drip edge, I cut the fascia side an inch or so long and taper it slightly to form a tab.  I then bent in the tab at the corner to overlap the joining joint and cover any gaps.

Drip-edge joints were finished with a hand-crimping tool and then a copper rivet hold the two overlapping joints together.  I also used the hand-crimping tool to make the outer edges tighter.

Bending The Copper:

First order of business was to measure and cut my copper roof panel.

I used an awl to mark my copper and made my panel so it would bend up the side wall 4-6 inches.

All three sides of the outer edges were left 1 inch longer to bend over the drip edge.

Once I had my panel dry fitted properly I then cut the corners and bent the three edges slightly more than 90 degrees.   I secured and finished these edges on the drip cap with the hand-crimping tool

Finishing the Window

I then overlapped my Tyvek house wrap over the copper on the side wall and taped everything off with 3M flashing tape.  Clapboards then were filled back in.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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