Copper Gutters

How copper ages

New copper is bright and pinkish. Within months outdoors it darkens to a penny brown, and over years of rain and weather it slowly develops the blue-green patina seen on old church roofs and historic downtowns. The pace varies with exposure; a sheltered rear run may stay brown long after the front turns green.

Patina is not corrosion in the damaging sense. It is a thin, stable layer that protects the metal beneath. Some owners prefer to keep the brown tone and have the copper cleaned and coated, but most let it weather naturally.

Lifespan

A well-installed copper system can last 50 years or more, often longer than the roof it serves. Copper does not rust, its color is the metal itself rather than paint, and soldered joints do not depend on sealant that dries out. Aluminum gutters, by comparison, generally last 20 to 30 years in New Jersey with regular cleaning.

Soldered seams

Copper joints are soldered, not caulked. Corners, end caps, outlets and the joints between sections are cleaned, fitted and sweated together with solder so they become one piece of metal. A good soldered joint is effectively permanent, and when one does leak years later it can usually be re-soldered in place rather than replaced. That work takes a trained hand, and the quality of the soldering shows in how a system holds up.

Half-round or K-style copper

• Half-round copper: the traditional pairing for Victorians, stone houses and homes in historic districts, with round copper downspouts
• K-style copper: formed seamless on site like aluminum, with a crisper profile that suits Colonials and newer high-end homes
• Either profile can be paired with Gutter Cap covers or a Heater Cap system for winter

Downspouts, fasteners and what not to mix

A copper system should be copper all the way down: downspouts, elbows, straps, brackets and fasteners. Copper in contact with aluminum or galvanized steel causes galvanic corrosion, which eats the other metal, so mixed systems fail at the joints. Water running off copper can also leave blue-green stains on light stone, concrete or painted siding below, which is worth planning for where downspouts discharge near a patio or walkway. If you want copper only on the front of the house, the transition to another metal has to be designed so the metals never touch.

Copper versus aluminum

Aluminum is the better value for most homes. Copper costs roughly three times as much per foot installed, and more on complex rooflines. What it returns is a lifespan that can cover two or more aluminum systems, no repainting, and a look that suits historic and high-end homes. The copper gutter cost guide lays out the ranges.