Copper or Metal That Works With Your Roof Color

By Kate Smith, DaVinci Roofscapes.   

Will a copper accent roof or elements work with my new polymer roof color?  

Asking about coordinating two materials is a question that comes up often, especially with copper. You might be unsure how your new roof color and metal accents will look together in the future since copper naturally changes color over the years.  

Copper oxidizes with exposure to the environment. Rather than rust, it morphs from a shiny yellow-orange to deep brown, then  into green. It finally becomes dull bluish-green. As the process occurs, the finish it develops is known as patina. Copper patina is called verdigris. The term comes from the French phrase “verte grez.”  

In some geographic locations, copper develops a patina faster or with a different hue than in others. Look for examples of aged copper in your area to help give you an idea about what colors to expect.  

If you choose to add copper gutters and accents to your roof, they can be added new and age naturally or purchased with the patina already applied. The style you choose depends on whether you prefer to view the changes during the aging process or would like to have a particular patina effect immediately.  

Pairing DaVinci slate and shake with copper  

DaVinci Slate and Shake’s beauty is that all of the colors are drawn from nature, as is this metal. All 50 DaVinci color tones harmonize with copper at any age. Still, you may find some combinations more appealing than others.  

Here’s the great news.The colors in your DaVinci roof will not change. The color you select is the color the roof stays for life. So, since it has a permanent patina, you can select a pair that will look consistent for years. Alternately, you can pick a roof that you will enjoy as your copper ages naturally.  

Copper has an affinity for the warm tones in DaVinci polymer shake or slate tiles. Copper complements gray beautifully at all stages of the patina process. Every black and gray tone from deep Slate Black to the silvery brown of Weathered Gray plays well with copper accents.  

Green is another excellent color with copper. The greenish tones of Mossy Cedar, Evergreen and Weathered Green contrast with this warm metal, bringing out the beauty of the other.  

More tips for selecting the right copper or any other type of accent  

It can sometimes be a bit tricky to find the right combination of colors for your roof…and for those accessories that accent your roof. Allow me to give you a few tips to make it much easier.  

• Tip #1: The reason for an accent element is to give the home more character. To help the accents stand out in the best way possible, have a clear difference between the materials—for example, copper with shakes, metal with slate, or even slate with shakes.  
• Tip #2: Look for materials with some variation in color rather than attempting to match the colors exactly. The colors will never precisely match as light reflects on surfaces differently.  
• Tip #3: Select an accent color that blends with your roof’s tone. It can be a single color or mix of colors, but overall should complement your house’s roof and other elements, such as window frames or other fixed features.  
• Tip #4:  A turret adds to the architecture of a home and often features an alternate material on the roof. The roof above a porch or bay window are other areas where you can add a complementary accent color. Calling attention to an attractive feature with a beautiful accent is a great idea. Taking the time to find the right color is worth the effort that will pay off in the amount of curb appeal it adds to your home. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

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Original article source: DaVinci Roofscapes