SFGate

Kevin Retired Decorator I love the copper idea, Has the wow factor and ages beautifully , asphalt shingles will work. Most anything else I think your going to have to redo the roof. Do check under tin smiths in your area they could do something custom to fit the roof now. They might have some new ideas.

Ironwood Builders Only copper? No...I think zinc will make the same bends just fine...but I do think copper will look better. To get the compound curves...I think steel and aluminum are out of the equation.

amityo Thank you! We'll look into zinc. If not, then copper it is. We just don't love the super shiny look...we like the darker brown look it gets after some time.

Sigrid Without a coating, copper will turn green over time. The copper parts of my roof are green. Not brown with a slightly green tinge, but green. Talk to your builder about what your copper will age into.

Kevin Retired Decorator You can buy a copper coating that will age it instantly. Check around. You can also get a tinted lacquer with brown in it to give the "aged" look your wanting. Using hammered copper will look more aged to right away.

Ironwood Builders Zinc is a silver grey and will never turn brown/bronze in color. Copper only...Verdigris is the protective element of copper and without it copper will eventually dissolve. lacquer is for interiors only..and hammering that much copper will cost a mint. Sorry Kevin..

Sigrid I will note that when I had a few slates replaced on my slate and copper roof, the roofer commented that it took at least 15 years to develop the patina on the copper. Patina meaning that the copper was entirely green, not the reddish, golden brown we think of as copper-colored.

Kevin Retired Decorator @ Dave They do sell exterior lacquers , I doubled checked to be sure they are still on the market , You can google it. And I have done hammered copper my self as a DIY. no biggie with a ball peen hammer. As for verdigris that's what happens to the copper in the aging process it's not a protective element or added finish . It's the result of the elements from aging the copper.

Ironwood Builders Kevin Retired Decorator, I was in metalsmithing as an art student...copper and verdigris and ball peen hammers...old friends. I will look up exterior lacquer...did not know such a thing existed as a cabinet maker. I'll definitely look it up. From wikipedia "Verdigris is the common name for a green pigment obtained through the application of acetic acid to copper plates[1] or the natural patina formed when copper, brass or bronze is weathered and exposed to air or seawater over a period of time. It is usually a basic copper carbonate, but near the sea will be a basic copper chloride.[2] If acetic acid is present at the time of weathering, it may consist of copper(II) acetate."