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.
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.
“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.