Custom Copper & Zinc Podcast

The Truth About Keeping Copper Shiny: Environmental Factors & Maintenance Challenges

• Jorge Fiscal • Episode 5

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Will Copper Stay Shiny For A Long Time?

Curious about that gorgeous, shiny copper roof or accent you're considering for your home? Many people fall in love with copper's brilliant luster, only to be surprised when that shine begins to fade. Master craftsman Jorge Fiscal demystifies copper's natural aging process in this enlightening episode, explaining why that gleaming finish transforms and whether anything can be done to maintain it.

Jorge reveals how environmental factors dramatically impact copper's patination timeline. A coastal installation might begin turning brown over a single weekend, while projects in less aggressive environments might maintain their shine for weeks or months. Surprisingly, even neighborhood factors like having oak trees nearby can accelerate the aging process due to the natural acidity in the leaves. This explains why some homeowners call with concerns about "defective" installations when they're simply witnessing copper's natural chemistry at work.

While some products promise to maintain copper's original shine, Jorge shares valuable insights from his years of experience regarding clear coat applications and their limitations in outdoor settings. Most architects and designers actually celebrate copper's evolving appearance, particularly prizing the distinctive green verdigris that develops after decades of environmental exposure. 

This episode offers essential knowledge for anyone considering copper for their home or project, helping set realistic expectations about how this living material ages gracefully through the years. Ready to embrace copper's natural beauty in your next project? Connect with Custom Copper and Zinc to create something truly timeless.

To learn more about Custom Copper and Zinc visit:
https://www.CustomCopperRoof.com
Custom Copper and Zinc
919-538-9284

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Custom Copper and Zinc Podcast, where craftsmanship meets timeless design. Hosted by Jorge Fiscal, owner of Custom Copper and Zinc, we dive into the art of custom metalwork and how it brings lasting beauty and durability to historic homes, modern builds and visionary designs. Whether you're a homeowner, general contractor, architect or interior designer, this is your go-to space for inspiration and expert insights into copper and zinc craftsmanship. Let's get started.

Speaker 2:

Copper's stunning, shiny appearance is one of the most alluring features, but will that shine last? Jorge breaks down copper's aging process and how to maintain its shine over time. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sofia Yvette, co-host, slash producer. Back in the studio with Jorge Fiscal. Jorge, how's it going?

Speaker 3:

Hello Sofia, Doing well. Thanks for asking. I hope you are.

Speaker 2:

Thank you, jorge. So will copper stay shiny for a long time.

Speaker 3:

Good question. It all depends on the zone. When this metal is by the salt water usually we finish working on a Friday, we come back on Monday it will already. The patina happens so fast. So the answer relies around the environment. It will happen so fast that it will already start turning brown, light brown, and eventually the salt will do its job a whole lot quicker compared to, for instance, a house in the mountains Projects in a highly polluted area the effects of patina will develop a whole lot quicker.

Speaker 3:

There was this case where a homeowner once called me and it's been just like a month, usually about a month here in the Raleigh area. The copper will start turning light brown. And she called me and she told me that there's something wrong with my copper roof because it's not shiny anymore, and she mentioned something about. Well, is there something wrong with my copper? You see, it's dull, it's turning ugly. And it happens that she had some oak trees actually. So there's another point Oak, the acidity of oak will contribute for this chemical reaction with copper and will tarnish a hollow quaker with just the rainwater over the trees leaves. So I explained to her that this is expected to happen Patina will develop and it will not be shiny for a long time, perhaps a couple of weeks, depending on the area.

Speaker 3:

This is a natural process, just by copper being exposed to the air, to the elements. They want to look at something shiny all the time. There are some products that some people apply, such as clear coats. In my experience I try to deviate from that because doing something outside there are several factors, mainly humidity we cannot acquire the same process that these specialized companies do indoors. As far as I know, there are only three companies in the whole country that specialize in this type of work, cheap by any means. They do develop these beautiful patinas, such as berdigris, which is copper turning greenish after 20, 25 years. Architects love that look, especially on educational buildings or government projects. We do not recommend to apply chemicals outdoors.

Speaker 2:

Do not recommend to apply chemicals outdoors and we just let the copper do its thing age naturally. That's awesome, and so, jorge, is there any way to reverse or slow down copper's natural oxidization process?

Speaker 3:

There are ways. Yes, I have done it. I cannot regret it and I have learned from that mistake because it's very labor intense. Basically, somebody asked me to put a clear coat on a brand new copper roof. It stayed shiny for two or three years, I think, and after that I explained it. Just like when you have a good quality paint and then you apply this paint, the car starts developing this clear coat and is flaking off within a couple of years. That has been my experience. That's why I do not recommend clear coats over copper Doing it outside. There are a lot of variants and it's hard to control. Especially in this area where we are high humidity, it's a factor that does not help. I recommend copper to develop naturally. The results can vary a lot if the weather and the humidity is okay, for even from one day to the other, the looks of the patina will not be even. The results will vary a lot.

Speaker 2:

Well, thank you so much for sharing those important insights with us today. Jorge, have a fantastic rest of your day and we'll catch you on the next episode.

Speaker 1:

Thank you, you as well day and we'll catch you on the next episode. Thank you, you as well. Thanks for tuning into the Custom Copper and Zinc podcast. If you're ready to transform your project with custom copper or zincA-L at ncrrcom, or call or text at 919-538-9284. From historic renovations to cutting-edge designs, custom Copper and Zinc has you covered. Until next time, keep creating, keep building and let's make something timeless together.