Service · D&E Mako Renovation
Copper gutters, flashing and bay roofs
Copper lasts longer than the house around it when it is installed right. We install copper gutters and downspouts, copper apron and base flashing, and small copper roofs over bays and entries.
Copper is common on stone houses on the Main Line and in Chester County, and on older farmhouses in Lancaster County. It is chosen because it lasts sixty years or more, does not need paint and turns a deep brown and then green that suits stone and slate.
Our copper work is usually part of a larger exterior job: copper apron flashing where a bay window meets a slate roof, like the one in Haverford on this page, copper base flashing under a bank of windows, a copper gutter on a gable return, or a small standing seam roof over a bay or a portico. We also install half-round copper gutters and round downspouts on their own.
Copper has rules. It must be fastened with copper or stainless, never steel or aluminum, or the metals corrode where they touch. Seams are soldered, not caulked. Long runs need expansion joints. Get those wrong and copper fails early, which is the most expensive way to waste it.
Lower Merion TwpApr 2026What we do
What our copper work work covers
Everything below is done by our own carpenters. If a job needs a roofer, electrician or plumber, we bring in trades we know and tell you who they are.
Copper gutters
Half-round and K-style copper gutters with soldered seams, end caps and outlets.
Copper downspouts
Round and rectangular copper downspouts with copper straps and elbows.
Copper flashing
Apron, step, base and counter flashing where roofs meet walls, bays and chimneys.
Copper bay window roofs
Small standing seam or flat seam copper roofs over bays, porticos and dormers.
Repairs
Leaking seams resoldered, loose hangers reset and damaged sections replaced.
Our copper work work in photos
Every photo is from our own jobs. The label on each one says where and when it was taken.
HaverfordNov 2024
HaverfordNov 2024Lower Merion TwpApr 2026What to expect from copper over time
| Age | Color | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| New | Bright penny | Nothing |
| First months to 2 years | Brown and dark bronze | Nothing |
| 10 to 20 years | Patches of green patina start | Nothing; patina protects the metal |
| Decades | Even green or dark brown, depending on exposure | Check seams and hangers occasionally |
How a copper work job goes
The same five steps on a small repair or a whole house. The estimate is free and nothing starts without your signature.
- 1
Look at the roof edge
We check the fascia, the roof and how water leaves it before quoting copper.
- 2
Plan the runs
Gutter sizes, outlet locations and expansion joints laid out to the roof.
- 3
Install with compatible metals
Copper or stainless fasteners and hangers only, seams soldered.
- 4
Test with water
We run water through the system and check every seam and outlet.
Copper work projects
Jobs where this work was part of the scope. Place and month on every card come from the camera.
Google review · June 2026
“They came to my home, looked over what I needed done… They were very pleasant and professional and completed the job in the time they stated.”
Perry Rosado
“I highly recommend this specialist! Very professional, reliable, and detail-oriented. Everything was completed on time and at the highest quality. I'm extremely satisfied with the results and will definitely use their services again!”
Talk to us about your copper work project
Tell us what is going on and send a few photos if you can. We will come and look, and give you a written price, line by line.
- Call or text
- (509) 530-8685
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Copper work: common questions
Do copper gutters turn green?
Yes, eventually. Copper turns brown within months and develops green patina over many years, faster near the ocean or in polluted air. The patina protects the metal. If you want to keep the bright color, it has to be cleaned and sealed regularly.
How long do copper gutters last?
Properly installed copper gutters commonly last 60 years or longer. The hangers and seams are what need attention over time.
Can copper touch aluminum gutters or steel nails?
No. Copper corrodes other metals where they touch in the wet. We use copper or stainless fasteners and keep copper separate from aluminum.
Is copper worth it on a regular house?
On a stone or historic house, often yes, because it matches the house and outlasts aluminum several times over. On a vinyl-sided house, aluminum gutters are usually the better buy.
