Copper Blog

Reduce the harmful effects of the sun and get more enjoyment from the outdoors.

A quick search on the internet will turn up hundreds of choices, styles and designs for awnings and canopies for the outdoors of homes and businesses. But with so many different types and styles to choose from, how do you find one that is best suited for your needs? And then once you settle on the function you want out of these useful products, how do you decide on a material?

Uses for Awnings & Canopies

Since awnings & canopies are primarily used as extensions of a roofline, generally speaking they extend the area of coverage allowing more use of a certain area, or protection from the elements. They serve many of the same purposes of awnings including:

• Shading for windows or doors

• Sheltering an entrance

• Braking strong winds

• Expanding a dining or entertainment area

• Adding architectural character to a building

• Allowing light to enter a building with some filtering

Since canopies can larger than awnings, they can cover an entire patio or party area. They can also serve as the covering for an automobile drop-off point, for example.

Awning & Canopy Materials

Awnings & canopies can be produced in a variety of materials. Common materials include:

• Canvas – most commonly used for larger areas due to lower cost. Also commonly found when bright colors are needed such as on restaurants and cafés. Canvas also gives you the option to be easily moved as you see with products such as the Sunsetter roll up awning.

• Aluminum – aluminum is still a good choice for durability and value, but a bit limited in terms of style and function.

• Molded plastic & Fiberglass – these are often found near hospitals or strip malls where large areas need to be covered.

• Lexan – one of the main benefits of using Lexan for an awning or canopy is that it is clear and allows the sun to come through.

• Polycarbonates – this material is similar to Lexan in that it is clear and oftentimes lightweight.

• Copper – a great choice when style and durability are important.

Benefits of using copper

For sheer beauty, longevity, architectural ambience, there is no awning material that can beat copper. Copper has been used for centuries for awnings and canopies and existing examples that are hundreds of years old are found worldwide. The natural patina of copper becomes part of the building’s envious appearance.

If you would like to know more about the beauty and serviceability of custom copper awnings, contact us at 877-251-5327 or info@crescentcitycopper.com

You probably can believe that awnings are just about as old as any human shelter. People learned long ago to use coverings of some sort to ward off the sun, rain and weather. Remarkably, the Coliseum in ancient Rome had a retractable large awning that circled the structure.

An awning today is a secondary covering that attaches to the exterior of a building, and usually extends or hangs from a wall. It usually is made from some sort of material that is stretched over a base frame. Some awnings are made from wood or a transparent material; some are made from aluminum both for the structure and the sheeting covering. Other awning materials include molded plastic, corrugated fiberglass panels, polycarbonate or Lexan clear panels and sometimes multiple layers of different materials.

With so many different needs to fill, it’s no wonder that there are so many custom awnings being built. Yes many customers want standard sizes and designs as those are typically less expensive and easier to get, but there are many instances where investing in a custom awning makes sense for the particular application – or maybe your building or home is just different than everyone else’s.

Uses for custom awnings

Awnings are typically placed above a window or door or above the area along a sidewalk. They are used for a variety of reasons including:

• Covering an entrance

• Expanding a dining or entertainment area

• To shade a window or door

• To brake steep winds

Custom awnings are one of a kind and made to order for a specific building or application. They expand and extend the value of an awning to any building or use. A few places we applications we typically build custom awnings for include:

• Kitchen vent hoods – it seems that interior designers are continually coming up with new and unique ways to showcase kitchen islands. Some of the most incredible products we’ve seen have been created specifically as vent hoods for kitchens.

• Historical buildings – when you are dealing with a historic building, it can be very hard to find “off the shelf” products that are appropriate for use during renovations or improvements. As such, we often get requests for custom awning products to go on these buildings as their design and shape often warrant the extra work.

• Unique structures – If you have a typical 2,500 square foot house with a standard double door entrance, there is a good chance you can find several great choices in standard sized awnings to choose from. But if you have a large home or one with a unique design, or a unique commercial building, there is a good chance you will need a product custom designed as the standard products just won’t fit.

Why we like copper for these products

Crescent City Copper chooses to make and distribute custom awnings for all applications from copper.

Why do we choose copper? The reasons are simple:

• It is exceptionally attractive and adds a touch of class and elegance to any building or facility.

• It adds a look that cannot be recreated with any other substance or fabric.

• Copper awnings are environmentally friendly. Not only are they attractive but they are long-lasting and durable. They are cost-effective and can last for hundreds of years with maintenance and upkeep.

• The natural patina that forms when copper is exposed to the elements not only adds beauty but protects the underlying metal.

If you would like to know more about the beauty and serviceability of custom copper awnings, contact Crescent City Copper at 877-251-5327 or info@crescentcitycopper.com

Awnings for homes are commonly found in hot weather climates where protection from the sun ensures you have additional opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. We’ve all had the experience of standing in the rain fumbling for keys to open a door, or sitting on the back patio and wishing we had a bit more shade during a warm afternoon.

But even where the weather is not a primary motivator, people often look to these great additions to add style, re-sale value and a bit of extra utility to a home by incorporating extra coverage to your home’s exterior. Architectsand designers often turn to awnings as the piece that really helps a home stand out from the rest, and with the different styles, fabrics, shapes and materials to choose from there is no shortage of creativity when it comes to accenting a home with a unique twist.

The material you select is then built or stretched over a base frame mounted to the home and built out in a truss like shape. There are, however, a number of other materials from which awning can be constructed like aluminum, Lexan, plastic, multiple layers of mixed materials and more.

Places we typically see home awnings installed:

• Windows

• Doors (front and back)

Common materials

Home awnings are made from a variety of materials such as acrylic, polyester, cotton, canvas or various metals including aluminum or copper. The material you choose will often depend on a few factors:

• Size – the size of the awning is always a factor as size usually is a large factor in determining the cost of an awning. If you need a very large awning, than more commonly people will turn to less expensive materials to cover the area. But smaller areas, such as windows and doors, are more commonly found on homes.

• Function – Are you looking for something you can fold up and put away, or something that will be permanently affixed? Also are you in need of solid shelter or merely something visual to look at? Deciding on the answers to these types of functional questions will help narrow the choices down to just a few.

• Durability – When it comes to home awnings, durability is a big concern. If you choose a fabric awning, be prepared to replace it more often as the sun fades it or winds damage it. If you choose a metal awning such as aluminum or copper, you can expect it to last much longer – and copper will even give you a patina as it ages making it more unique than when you first had it installed.

The case for copper

The use of awning to shade people and buildings from the elements is as old as history. Ancient Egyptians, Syrians and Romans all used awning extensively.

With such durable material as copper, you see today beautiful copper awnings in Europe that are hundreds of years old. Copper is durable, long-lasting, attractive and architecturally appealing.

But you don’t have to visit Europe to see the utilitarian and architectural use of custom copper awnings in homes today. Just take a ride through moderately upscale subdivisions in South Louisiana and you will find attractive custom homes adorned with equally attractive custom copper awnings.

In today’s increasingly “green” building societal orientation, you’ll find that copper is not just attractive but it is green. It is very long-lasting, cost-effective and easy to maintain. The find patina that attaches itself quickly to new copper protects the underlying metal for decades.

If you would like to know more about the beauty and serviceability of custom copper awnings, contact Crescent City Copper at 877-251-5327 or info@crescentcitycopper.com

Door awnings are a seemingly simple and straightforward item. They extend the doorway whether for a home or business. That extension serves a number of purposes:

• Cover the entrance

• Protect arriving or departing individuals from the elements

• Shade the interior

• Break steep winds

• Add curb appeal to the entry

Features to Look For:

• Durability for the area you live in - ability to withstand rain and wind in warmer areas as well as snow and ice in warmer areas

• Sides for additional protection from the elements

• Color palette to accent your home

• Various widths to accommodate your entrances

• Ability to custom design an awning as needed

• Handmade products as they tend to be better quality than machine made products

Popular Materials

Door awnings are made from the same selection of materials as other types of awnings or canopies.The most common are acrylic, polyester, cotton or canvas. Door awnings, however, can also be made from wood, Lexan, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic and sometimes layers of different materials.

While many of these materials can add to the appearance of the entry way, the primary goal is utilitarian. They are there to protect the entrance.

Why Consider Copper?

You can also provide exceptional entry protection and an architecturally attractive awning at the same time through the use of copper. Copper has been used for awnings for centuries and you can still find copper awnings in Europe that are 300 years old and older. They retain their appeal and beauty throughout the years.

Copper is not only attractive but cost-effective and long lasting.Since it is so long lasting, it is the perfect “green” product.

You won’t be replacing your custom copper awning any time soon. Copper forms a natural protective patina when exposed to the elements. The look is eye catching and the patina coat protects the underlying metal surface.

If you have any reason to dress up the entryway to your home or business, copper is the choice for a custom door awning.

If you would like to know more about the beauty and serviceability of custom copper awnings, contact Crescent City Copper at 877-251-5327 or info@crescentcitycopper.com

Have you ever heard the term porte-cochere? It’s a French phrase meaning “coach gate” or “carriage porch” and if you have spent much time in old New Orleans or cities of similar ages and noticed the entrances to buildings and some homes, you have probably seen more of them than you think. A porte-cochere is simply a covered entrance to building that was used so people could alight (get in and out) from a carriage or automobile to enter the building out of the elements and a messy street.

The porte-cochere was commonly found on many late 18th and 19th-century mansions and public buildings. You may have noticed them on famous structures such as Buckingham Palace and the White House.

The modern porte-cochere is a major user of metal canopies in America today. You see them everywhere, especially at the entrance to public buildings or offices as well as places like churches and hospitals where people need extra time to get in and out of their vehicles. Some are simply utilitarian but others are truly are architectural gems.

Getting creative with an old idea

While the concept of the porte-cochere is not new, many designers and architects are putting their own twist on this classic by adding in materials such as copper to the rooflines and awning covers. Of course, it is not the only use of metal canopies, which can be used to cover large areas that extend from buildings, both commercial and residential, no matter the end use.

While aluminum and sometimes steel is used to fabricate a metal canopy, nothing offers the beauty and resilience of copper, especially on a dramatic architectural feature such as these.

Coppers offers:

• Attractive end products

• Architecturally appealing installations

• “Green”, cost-effective and long lasting

• A touch of class and elegance

• A natural patina that is not only beautiful but protects the installation

Image Credit: InterestingArchitecture: Porte Cochere

As concerns over our environmental impact has increased, home builders and real estate owners have begun using copper more and more frequently in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint. Compared to traditional building materials such as wood and synthetic roof tiles, copper has many environmental advantages that make it a superior choice for home construction.

1. Copper is long lasting. A copper roof is an expensive but worthwhile investment that holds up under all types of weather and dangers. While a wooden roof may need to be replaced every decade or so (and possibly sooner if there is damage from wild animals or insects), a copper roof can last for literally hundreds of years with maintenance.

2. Copper can be recycled continuously. Wood, another natural resource, wears out and becomes weak over time. However, copper maintains its integrity through continuous recycling and can be reused over and over again for multiple purposes. Some copper roofs are made up of 75 percent recycled material. Compared to other metals, copper's recycle value is far higher. Copper has almost twice the recycled value of aluminum and almost four times the recycled value of stainless steel. When it comes to roofing, copper is far better for the environment than synthetic roofing tiles, which cannot be recycled and take up to 300 years to decompose in landfills.

3. Copper is naturally produced. Consumers can purchase copper without worrying about whether the manufacturing process is harmful to the environment. Copper mills use as much as 95 percent recycled materials when producing copper sheeting and many of the copper pipes and fittings that are produced are made up of previously used wire and cable.

4. Copper is an energy efficient resource. When used as piping material, copper efficiently directs energy for use in air conditioning and heating systems with less material than other metals. The way copper tubes are designed cuts down on the amount of refrigerant that is needed to run the system, which makes it easier to maintain the unit and less expensive to operate it. Since copper tubes are smaller than those made with other materials, the heat transfer efficiency is greater in systems with copper tubing.

If you've never heard of copper roofing, you're not alone. In many places, the idea of placing a copper roof on a residential home is unusual. However, copper roofing is becoming more popular in real estate and neighborhood construction due to the material's many advantages over other traditional types of roofing materials. With careful maintenance and upkeep, a homeowner who installs a copper roof can expect his roof to last for years. Copper roofing is initially an expensive purchase, but the cost pays off over the life of the home as homeowners save on other maintenance costs.

There are several reasons why you might consider using copper on your home's roof: 1. Copper is extremely durable. Many new homes are built with lower-quality materials than used in the past. This trend has its drawbacks as more newly built homes have had to undergo roof repair work and even replacement. On the other hand, copper is a long-lasting material and holds up well under extreme conditions that may adversely affect other materials. Some copper roofs have lasted for hundreds of years.

2. A copper roof is an environmentally-friendly investment. Many copper roofs are comprised of 75 percent recycled copper. Rather than using shingles and tar, which may give off unhealthy chemical fumes over time, homeowners can place a copper roof on their homes with the confidence that the natural metal will not damage the air around them.

3. Copper is resistant to harsh weather conditions. In the American west where dry summers result in wildfires, homes with copper roofs often withstand the fire threat since copper is not flammable. In the Northeast and MidWest where heavy winter snows are common, copper roofs are a great time saver since the snow naturally falls off the roof instead of having to be removed.

4. Animals can't eat your copper roof. Traditional wooden roofs are susceptible to all types of wild critters such as raccoons, squirrels, and especially termites. The copper surface isn't too appetizing to animals, though, helping homeowners avoid dealing with these pests.

5. A copper roof adds unique beauty to a home's exterior. Adornments such as copper roofs, copper cupolas, copper chimney caps, copper awnings, and copper weathervanes are simple ways to create a distinctive look. These and other copper decorations are available from Crescent City Copper.

Copper is one of the most long-lasting materials for use in homes. The metal can endure for years, making it an especially good choice for surfaces that get a lot of use such as sinks, roofs, and exterior decor. However, copper undergoes a naturally occurring change that can tarnish its look. Learning how to keep your copper surfaces looking new will help you to maintain your fixtures and adornments throughout the years.

Over time, copper turns green and forms a tarnish called patina. While there are ways to make patina into art or to create your own patina, there are also ways to remove patina to retain your copper's original finish. But before you start cleaning, you'll need to find out if the copper has any special finishes that affect your cleaning methods.

Determine if the copper surface is lacquered. If it has a shiny, glossy surface, then it's probably been lacquered and should be cleaned carefully using warm soapy water and a gentle cloth. If the copper is not lacquered, you can use natural materials such as lemon and vinegar to remove the patina.

One simple way to remove patina is to use fresh lemons. Rinse the copper material with water and sprinkle salt over it evenly. Then cut them lemons in half and rub them over the copper surface to remove the patina. Continue using lemons until the patina is completely removed.

Even if the copper is not lacquered, it should still be cleaned gently. Using rough cloths or scrubbing sponges can scratch the surface. Other natural cleaning material mixtures are also good for cleaning and maintaining copper. Vinegar and salt make an effective cleanser, as do lemon juice and baking soda, and ketchup. To use these other cleansers, place the copper item in a pot, add the cleaning mixture, and use a toothbrush to clean it gently.

For copper jewelry, combine 1/2 cup of lemon juice and one tablespoon of baking soda to form a paste. Apply the paste with a toothbrush and clean the jewelry, then rinse it well. To clean a copper pot, place it in a larger pot with a mixture of one cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of salt and boil until the copper appears clean. Copper sinks, however, should be cleaned with only soap and water. Even natural cleansers can damage the surface.

Gutters and downspouts are critical to the maintenance of any home or business. Instead of having rain water fall down the sides of the structure, the gutters trap the water and the downspouts guide the water away from the building. Thanks to these basic components, buildings are protected from water damage, which could otherwise seep into the walls and through the windows.

Gutters can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic or metal. However, the ideal material is copper. Copper has many wonderful qualities, as it's both aesthetically pleasing and durable in quality. Copper downspouts will need to be cared for just as any other type of gutter and downspout system, ensuring that the gutters are free from leaves, branches and other debris. But you can expect that the copper will stand up to the test of time, while turning your gutters into something architecturally pleasing.

Copper gutters and downspouts are sold through such companies as Crescent City Copper and will increase the value of a home. Although copper gutters are more expensive on the front-end of the purchase, there is a greater return on the investment. Not to mention, they give a home or business an additional boost. Copper also weathers well and will turn colors as it forms a patina. But this is what makes copper so unique and interesting.

In fact, each year, the gutter system will acquire a new level of patina, so you never know which color you may see from year to year. You can expect your home to be the envy of the neighborhood, and all you'll have to do is stand proud as the copper requires no additional maintenance. Copper offers the additional benefit of being corrosion resistant, even if you live in an area that receives a lot of acid rain. If you do choose to restore the color of the copper, you can remove the patina. Simply strip and re-seal the copper from time-to-time to make this happen. And, since copper looks great with all types of roof materials, you can expect your entire home to come together in harmony.

If you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor space, consider a copper fire pit such as those from Crescent City Copper. Outdoor fire pits offer many wonderful advantages, plus they look neat, too! Fire pits are relatively small and compact, so they fit well on a deck or patio. They can offer warmth on a cool evening or provide a place to melt s’mores in the summer months. The fire also provides a bit of light in a dark space and can serve as a great social tool for those that like to entertain and have backyard bonfires.

Generally speaking, many of the outdoor fire pits that are sold in stores are not made from quality material such as copper. Many are made from sheet metal that wears away quickly and leaves you with a thin sheet of metal that’s rusted through. Once this happens, the fire pit is no longer useful, or even safe for that matter. If you plan to leave your fire pit outside, which you probably will considering it’s an outdoor item, you can expect the sheet metal to rust away within a year or two.

Instead of having to replace your investment every few years, consider a copper fire pit that will last for the long term. Copper is highly durable and won’t rust quickly like metal will. Really, the only thing to keep in mind with copper is that it will change colors. Copper looks beautiful out of the box, but after using the fire pit, it will take on a greenish, tarnished color. However, this is what many people like about copper, as it ages gracefully and builds more character over time. Best of all, you can expect your copper fire pit to last for many years.

There are many different types of copper fire pits on the market, and those offered through such places as Crescent City Copper have practical features that will make the pit safe and secure. Look for fire domes that add safety by keeping the flames covered and contained. Many of these fire domes have unique designs and silhouettes that will serve as a striking centerpiece.

If you find a copper fire pit you like that doesn’t have a fire dome, consider purchasing a spark screen instead. This simple gadget can open and close at your convenience and protect your family from flying debris.

Image Source: Crescent City Copper