Why Choose Copper for your Guttering?
30 September 2008
As the need for greener building materials increases, Architects, developers and self-build customers have begun approaching Coppa Gutta Ltd for their eco-friendly copper guttering.
But why choose copper and how is it eco-friendly? One reason is that copper is a wholly natural material present in and essential to plants, animals and humans. Copper has a mild disinfecting effect on rain water and besides its high corrosion resistance and attractive appearance copper also acts as an algaecide and fungicide, keeping growths such as moss and lichens to a minimum meaning that gutters stay clean and free flowing, which makes it perfect for rainwater harvesting too. For a nation of garden lovers this is particularly relevant as plants grow better using rainwater, which has a balanced pH and is free of chemicals such as chlorine. Today, when choosing guttering and down pipes, architects, contractors, and property owners are faced with having to make decisions about material performance, life cycle cost, finish, recyclability, environmental friendliness, and ease of installation. Copper is more often the material of choice, because of its advantageous characteristics in all of these areas compared to other architectural materials. Approximately only 12% of the current known reserves have ever been mined making copper one of the few materials that is classed as fully sustainable. It is also 100% recyclable and no other metal, much less plastic, can come close to matching copper in these vital areas. Copper is considered a green metal and not just for its colour. UK manufacturers Coppa Gutta Ltd have developed three easy to install systems to cope with the growing demand for this environmentally friendly product. Rosalie Hoare of Coppa Gutta says: ‘The interest in copper as the best choice of material for guttering has increased 10 fold over the last three years with growing awareness of environmental issues and the need for smaller carbon footprints.’ But these are not the only incentives for choosing copper as Rosalie explains: ‘Unlike cast iron, copper is a very lightweight material and therefore easier to install, reducing labour costs and health and safety issues on site. Copper guttering can be installed by any competent tradesperson with no specialist tools required. The gutter profiles are joined together quickly and with the minimum of effort simply using copper pop rivets and silicone sealant. Once installed, the gutter will last in excess of 100 years being extremely durable and resistant to corrosion in any atmosphere. Copper does not require any surface decoration or cleaning and minimal maintenance, making it particularly suited for areas that are difficult or dangerous to access after completion. It also has unique changing visual characteristics as the copper develops an oxide film, changing the colour from bright orange to a deep russet brown, eventually developing a beautiful green verdigris patina after many years. This ever-changing visual process is what attracts many people to copper for new builds and refurbishment projects alike. There is also the choice of accelerating the ‘aging’ effect of the copper gutter for buildings that require a rainwater system that will blend in as though it has been there for many years.’ Over the life cycle of a building copper is one of the most competitive building materials available and with growing awareness of environmental issues and increasing concern for health and safety of those constructing and maintaining buildings, copper is more than ever the most cost effective roofing and guttering material for the future.
Released By
Coppa Gutta Ltd
