Q&A – When can a copper strip be installed?

Good materials are only the start of a project, researching and asking clarifying questions about the installation process, like this homeowner did, are what set it up for success.

Kathleen from Mississippi read an article on AAR which explained how copper strips can be used to extend the life of roof shingles. She wanted to make sure she fully understood the article and how to do the installation, so she asked our experts:

I read your article about adding a copper strip to my roof line to extend the life of my shingles. It mentioned I should blind nail the strip, but my roof is already installed. Can I slip the 12-inch wide thin copper roll under the edge of the roofline shingles and secure it with liquid nails?

Our roofing expert, John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group, had this to say in response:  

Unfortunately, using liquid nails would not hold the copper in place under higher wind conditions. The correct way to install it on an existing roof is to loosen the seal on the first course of shingles below your ridge. A roofer does this with a shingle pry bar. Then, the copper strip would be secured with copper nails under that course to show they are exposed (blind nailed), and the underside of the shingle would be resealed with ether asphalt mastic or other compatible sealant.

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About Cotney Consulting Group

Unlike other “business” consultants, Cotney has 65+ years’ experience solving the problems of roofing companies. With real experience running 8-figure, multi-million dollar companies, our consultants did not learn about business consulting from a book — we have experienced the same problems that you have, solved them and moved on to create a storied history of success. We can share our experiences with you and help you achieve success. Learn more at www.cotneyconsulting.com.