Copper is a luxury roofing material that’s highly desirable and maximizes curb appeal. Learn about copper roof costs and price factors in this guide.
Do Copper Roof Strips Prevent Shingle Damage?
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Copper roof strips slow UV damage to your asphalt shingles by creating a protective barrier when copper ions bond to the roofing surface.
Expect to pay $15 to $37 per square foot for copper roof strip installation, including materials and labor for your home.
Your roof strips prevent moss and algae growth by washing copper ions down the shingles when it rains, reducing moisture damage over time.
Hiring a local roofing professional keeps you safe during installation and ensures your copper strips are properly positioned for full coverage and protection.
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Your home’s roof is a big investment, and you want to protect it from as much damage as possible. Copper roof strips add a defense against some kinds of environmental damage, like UV exposure and moss and algae growth. We break down everything you need to know about copper roof strips so you can decide if they’re a worthwhile addition to your shingle roof.
What Are Copper Roof Strips?
Copper roof strips are lengths of flexible copper installed near the peak of your roof over asphalt shingles. When it rains on the strips, copper ions are washed down the surface of the roof along with the rainwater. The copper ions create a surface that inhibits moss and algae growth on the shingles. Moss and algae can retain significant amounts of moisture, which can damage your shingles, lead to shingle granule loss, and reduce the lifespan of your roof.
Copper roof strips can also help extend the life of your shingles by slowing down UV damage. The copper ions bond to the asphalt shingles, creating a protective barrier against harmful UV damage.
Replacing damaged roof shingles can be expensive, so investing in copper roof strips can help reduce repair and replacement costs—not to mention the hidden destruction that damaged shingles can cause.
How Are Copper Roof Strips Installed?
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Copper roof strips are affixed to the roof’s surface near the roof's peak using nails or adhesive. Large or lower-pitched roofs may have several rows of roof strips installed to ensure full coverage. Installing copper roof strips high up on a pitched roof allows rainwater that carries the copper ions to drain down over the surface of the roof.
Copper roof strips are fairly flexible and easy to shape around roof features, so working around chimneys, skylights, and other roof penetrations is straightforward and simple. These roof strips work well with most types of asphalt shingles—check with a qualified roofer to see if they’re a good option for your home, especially if you have older shingles or two layers of shingles.
Pros and Cons of Copper Roof Strips
Copper roof strips have some major benefits when it comes to preventing shingle damage, but there are a few drawbacks to consider, as well.
| Pro | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevent moss, algae, and UV damage | Only protect against some kinds of damage |
| Easy to install | Lack of aesthetic appeal |
| Low-maintenance | Initial cost |
Pros
Compared to other roofing projects, copper roof strips are simple to install and, once installed, require very little maintenance. They offer long-lasting protection against moss and algae growth as well as UV damage without a lot of upkeep.
Cons
While copper roof strips offer a lot of protection, they don’t prevent all kinds of damage. Your roof will still be susceptible to wind damage to roof shingles, impact damage, and moisture intrusion. They’re also an added expense on top of the cost of a shingle roof—although they can help prevent repair and replacement costs later on.
Some homeowners may not love the look of copper roof strips since they tend to visually stand out against an asphalt roof. Over time, the strips can develop a greenish patina, which can help them blend in a little more.
Copper Roof Strip Cost
Expect to pay about $9 to $25 per square foot for copper roof strip materials, plus an additional $6 to $12 per square foot for labor, for a total cost of $15 to $37 per square foot total for installation. The good news is that once your copper roof strips are installed, there’s very little maintenance, upkeep, or replacement costs.
DIY Copper Roof Strip Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
Like any roofing project, unless you’re comfortable safely climbing a ladder and walking around on your roof, hire a roofing contractor to install your copper roof strips. Roof work is dangerous and can lead to serious injury, so if you don’t have experience working on a pitched roof or don’t have the necessary safety equipment, call a local roofer to ensure the job is done safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roofing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.3★ avg. • 120 total reviews
- Chance R.
D1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLC - Jeremy P.
This place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
- David B.
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Kevin S.
I am really impressed with their timeliness and turnaround. Mitchell came out, and we decided to move forward with their pricing. Our roof was on within a week, and we could not be happier with their team! Amazing company, great prices and honest, dependable craftsmanship. I highly recommend...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Rob B.
Manuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
- Julie K.
They damaged multiple items on my property, including a marble slab used as a table top, tried to hide it, and refused to pay or replace. Arrived day one without a ladder to access roof & delayed a day. Left a mess in back yard; didn't wear face masks; no show by owner to property to see damages
Grants Tree Service - Marcia L.
I've hired Gary/Cherokee Roofing for two different homes, work quality, responsiveness, and completion have been great both times. And the prices quoted were very competitive. I would definitely hire again.
- Paul F.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle Environmental - Paul F.
Bradley Builders did a good job replacing the roof on our front porch. They color-matched the existing shingles on the rest of the house and installed a metal ridge roll since we live in a historical neighborhood. They did the job while we were out of town. When we got back, everything was...
Bradley Builders, Inc. - Madison B.
I would absolutely recommend this business. They offer a variety of services, including: painting, roofing, and refinishing wood flooring. I hired them to refinish the original hardwood flooring in my home built in 1874. The job was quite challenging, as the floors were extremely aged and...
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