What is the roof 'pitch'?

• The 'pitch' is the angle or slope of a roof.

How do I determine the 'pitch' of my roof?

• First you will need a level (2' or longer) and a ruler.

• From the outside -  Place one end of the level on the roof, hold at a level position and measure out from the end of the level resting on the roof 12 inches, this is your horizontal measurement, from this point measure down the distance from the bottom of the level to the roof, this is your vertical measurement.

            Example - 12" horizontal measurement and 4" vertical measurement would be a 4:12 pitch.

• From inside the attic - Place one end of level against the bottom of rafter (a rafter is usually a 2" X 6" wood board that follows the slope of your roof), hold at a level position, measure out from the end of the level that is against the rafter 12", this is the horizontal measurement, from this point measure up from the top of the level to the rafter, this is your vertical measurement.

            Example - 12" horizontal measurement and 5" vertical measurement would be a 5:12 pitch.

• Note: Copper Summit, Inc. does not recommend that you measure your own roof pitch!  Please contact a qualified and insured builder or roofing contractor.

• Copper Summit, Inc. is not liable for any accidents or injuries while measuring the pitch of your roof, nor are we liable for any orders placed with any incorrect measurements.

What is the proper size for a cupola or finial?

• The proper size of a cupola or a finial will mainly depend on what kind of support you have inside of the attic.  The cupolas range in weight from 35 pounds to 50 pounds.  The finials average weight is 15 pounds.  The height of the product is based on your desire, however a one-story home would usually have at least a 10" x 10" x 48" finial or a 18" x 18" cupola.  An elevated one-story home or a two-story home would usually have at least a 12" x 12" x 60" finial or a 30" x 30" cupola.

• In selecting the right size of a cupola for your structure, there should be one and one quarter inches of cupola base for each foot of unbroken roof line.

  Example: For 20 foot of unbroken roof line, the minimum cupola base size would be 24 inches.  One other factor to consider is the amount of attic space.  The more attic space, the larger the cupola should be.

How long does it take to receive the products once I place an order?

• It will usually take three to four weeks to receive items that are not custom orders.  Custom orders will vary depending on size, amount of custom work, etc.

How will the items be shipped?

• We work with several companies to find the best price for shipping our products.

• Copper Cupolas are shipped in 3 sections (the top, the louver section, and the base).

Will Copper Summit, Inc. install products I purchase?

• Copper Summit, Inc. does not install the products.  Please contact your builder or a roofing/chimney company for a quote.

• Each cupola is custom built to match the pitch of your roof.

How does the copper hold up in different weather conditions?

• All products do not weather at the same rate.  There are several variables that can determine the rate in which a product will weather.  The main variables for copper are air quality and rain.

• Cupolas and finials may attract lightning.  Proper lightning deterrents need to be put in place by a professional when installing cupolas or finials.  Copper Summit, Inc. assumes no responsibility of lightning incidents even with the proper additions of lightning protection products (i.e. conductors, grounds, fittings, etc).

Why does copper turn green?

• Copper ages to a green color (patina).  The patina protects the copper, while giving it a different look and feel over time.  Take a look at the Statue of Liberty as an example.  Wood will weather and crack, iron and steel can rust.  Copper will last for centuries.

What is the weight of the copper?

• The copper we use is 16 oz.

Will copper stain?

• It is possible for copper to stain certain architectural materials. 

Return Policy

• Please see Terms and Conditions on our Order Form webpage link.

Building Green With Copper

If you are looking for ways to “green” your next building project, consider the benefits of copper. Its durability, recyclability and excellent heat-transfer properties help builders meet National Association of Home Builders green building guidelines while conserving energy, natural resources and the environment.

Copper, one of the world’s most useful natural resources, is 100 percent recyclable, as are its principal alloys like brass and bronze.  

Copper used for plumbing tube; sheet products such as cladding, flashing and roofing applications; heating and cooling systems; and the copper found in brass or bronze builders hardware and fixtures can be recycled over and over with no loss of its physical attributes. In fact, more than two-thirds of the copper used to make architectural, decorative and plumbing tube products is derived from recycled scrap.

 “It is important for builders to realize that some systems benefit the environment by conserving energy use - and benefit the homeowner by reducing energy and repair bills significantly over the lifetime of the home,” explains Andy Kireta Jr., national program manager of Building Construction, for the Copper Development Association.

“Systems that include or rely on copper components are typically more efficient and more environmentally beneficial than those using alternative materials that can’t be recycled or those made from petrochemicals, like plastics, ”Kireta adds,“  and, because copper is so durable, copper products are usually more cost-efficient in the long run. Builders who spec products simply because they’re cheaper to buy or install are really only offering their buyers a cheaper home and a less-valuable investment. Smart homebuilders know that it’s better to sell a product on quality and value, not price alone.”

Copper is a key component of many energy-saving technologies. For example, passive solar water heating systems employ copper to capture and convert sunlight into heat. Copper heat exchangers efficiently transfer the thermal energy absorbed by the solar collector to the home’s hot water system. Sunlight is abundant, renewable and, even where it is not readily available, can supplement a home’s hot water needs virtually cost-free once a system is installed.

Another option to consider for home heating is a Direct Exchange (DX) geothermal system, which uses a refrigerant directly circulating in underground copper tubing to extract or disperse heat.  By exploiting the earth’s constant temperature, DX systems efficiently heat and cool homes and commercial buildings, reducing and in many cases eliminating the need for standard air conditioning and heating.  Keep in mind that even standard units benefit significantly as a result of the higher energy-efficiency performance they can derive from copper heat-exchange components.

Builders can also use copper to conserve energy through the installation of a heat exchanger for wastewater recovery. According to the Department of Energy, the equivalent of 350 billion kilowatt-hours of hot water is flushed down the drain each year, yet a large portion of this thermal energy is recoverable.  This type of heat exchanger typically has a large-diameter copper pipe wrapped in thin-wall copper tubing. Warm wastewater flowing through the larger pipe transfers its heat to the outer coil carrying the home’s domestic water, which in turn reduces the amount of electricity or gas needed to make hot water.

~ HOME IMPROVEMENT NEWS AND INFORMATION CENTER – Taken from Tulsa World Newspaper, September 22, 2007 – http://www.tulsaworld.com/mm/pdf/pdfindex.aspx?section=WOH Section P2-5