Copper Accent Roof Colors

During a recent exterior color consultation, a homeowner had a question about selecting the roof color for the home he is having built. He wanted the color of the copper accent roofs over the bay windows to have a patina similar to the tiles shown below.

Copper Patina Colors

This homeowner also knew he wanted a polymer slate roof tiles but thought his choice would be limited to green or gray. Since the copper has the patina already applied, the copper roof will not change color as it ages, so he certainly could select a green or gray roof to harmonizes with the copper. However, these are not his only choices, and for a homeowner who is going to install copper and let it age naturally, they might not be the best color choice. Here is why.

With exposure to the elements, copper oxidizes. Rather than rust, it morphs from a shiny yellow-orange to deep brown, then becomes green and finally becomes dull bluish-green. As the process occurs, the copper is developing what is known as patina. Copper patina is called verdigris. The term comes from the French phrase “verte grez,” meaning green-grey.

Copper Accent Roof Patina Guide

Weathered Copper Color Chart

Denninger

The copper patina color chart above shows how the color naturally advances from raw copper to chocolatey-brown to dark verdigris to the almost white of old copper decoration. Denninger, a company that produces copper weather vanes and finials, gives this as a guide but also notes that in some geographic locations, copper will produce patina faster, or with a different hue.

Main Roof Color to Use With a Copper Accent Roof

Copper Roofing with Brown Slate

DaVinci Roofscapes

A homeowner has many choices for their main roof color when they have a copper accent roof. From black or gray to green slate or silvery weathered and rich brown shakes, most colors work with copper. Any warm colored shake, slate or other roofing materials goes especially well with copper. I have shown a few above work well above. You can see how well these colors work with cooper at each stage of the patina process.

The warm undertones of the Bellaforte slate are an excellent choice for homes with copper details whether the copper took 20+ years to reach the patina or is new with a “pre-aged” finish. A brown roof naturally works with a copper accent roof because even as it ages and develops a patina, the base color of the copper continues to influence the surface color. The same line of thinking can apply to any metal that has a finish or patina.

More Copper Roof Elements

DaVinci Roofscapes Slate Castle Gray

DaVinci Roofscapes

Using copper for flashings and accents with a quarried slate roof or thick cedar shakes has almost always been a given, and the combination goes back centuries.

Feature Image Credit: DaVinci Roofscapes

Read Time: 3 min
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Kate Smith
Kate Smith is an optimistic, expressive, artist, designer, writer and color fanatic. With her warm and witty style, Kate teaches you to clearly see, understand and be inspired by color. Then she guides you step-by-step to develop your own unique color sense-ability and achieve results you never dreamed possible.
  • Jack maraffi says:

    Do copper roofs give off acids that destroy aluminum gutters?

    • Kate Smith says:

      I’m sorry I can’t help, but I don’t know the answer, Jack. I work only on the color aspect of roofing. I suggest asking the product specialist from a copper roofing manufacturer who could give you a knowledgeable answer.

  • Susan Lea says:

    Thanks, that’s very helpful as I try to pick a trim color that will complement our copper roof over a bay window.

  • Maya says:

    Can you seal copper when you get a tone you like to keep it that tone going forward?

    Thank you

  • Alfred Hamman says:

    Thank you so much for this bit of info just what I needed for a current project.

  • Carmine Zeman says:

    Appreciating the time and effort you put into your site and detailed information you present. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

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