Copper Blog

This is a perfect example of intricate patina design. In this piece, the artists applied the patina chemicals painstakingly, using actual plant materials in the process of making the artwork. The chemicals have been applied in light touches around the outside of the copper and in heavier doses in the middle, creating a mist-like effect around the pine tree branches. (Image c/o: Copperhand Studio)

This work by copper artist David Savedge is called "Great River". As you can see, the patina chemicals have been added in a specific design to form the image of a river flowing through banks of sand. The chemicals are layered thickly in the middle to create the bubbly texture of a river in motion. The sand banks have been lightly altered to give the brown color a little distress. (Image c/o: Copperhead Art)

This example of copper artwork is made with patina and heat-treated stainless steel. In this art, the image is that of a lake seen from a high vantage point. Again, the patina chemicals have been added carefully to keep the dimensions of the image intact. (Image c/o: Tough Tiny Welder)

Homeowners who want to add a special touch to their outdoor facade may consider buying a copper awning for their houses. Awnings have been used for years to add design and to provide shade for front porches, but copper awnings have several advantages over traditional fabric or wooden awnings.

For one thing, copper awnings last an incredibly long time. They are durable and they stand up to all types of weather conditions. They won't need replacing or polishing and they can be custom-sized to whatever suits the home best. Copper awnings also offer a unique look. While the metal starts out as a shiny, brass color, it turns to a flecked, faded green as it ages, giving the home a bit more character than before.

Before selecting a copper awning for your home, though, there are several considerations you'll need to take into account. For example, will the awning protect your home from rain? The straight answer is yes. Copper awnings are sure to keep the front of your house dry from rain and thunderstorms. What about protection from sun exposure? Again, yes. Copper awnings also provide shade from the sun, making them great places to sit under on a hot day.

What size awning should you get for your home? This largely depends on the look you're trying to achieve. Generally, you want to buy an awning that is large enough to shade your front entrance, but you may want to buy one a little larger than that if you're looking for an extended shade provider. Be careful not to buy an awning that overwhelms the look of your home.

What style of awning should you buy? Again, this depends on your personal taste and the look of your home as is. There are several architectural styles to choose from, including dome awnings, canopy awnings, standing seam awnings, wedge awnings, and textured awnings. The copper experts at Crescent City Copper manufacture all of these copper awning designs for residential use.

Dryer vents have an important job to do, as they're responsible for carrying lint and moist air outside of your home. However, there has been much speculation over the quality of dryer vents, as most homes continue to use the flexible plastic hoses that are not safe. These flexible hoses do not do an adequate job of pushing our moist air and lint and therefore can make people sick. Those with allergies and asthma conditions are more prone to these particles being in the home.

Not to worry, as there is another solution that more homes are taking advantage of: Copper dryer vents. Metal vents are what are recommended by dryer manufacturers, as these vents are most durable and reliable. Copper dryer vents from such companies as Crescent City Copper keep unwanted elements out of the home and expel hot air from the dryer. Best of all, copper dryer vents are a wonderful way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home, while offering peace of mind that your air is safer and healthier to breathe.

There are many different styles of copper vents that can be purchased, making it easy to find a match suitable for your home. Instead of having a plastic piece that is attached to the home, you can admire a copper vent that will blend in well with the unique architecture of your abode. Some copper vents stick out more than others, while some lay against the house and have a mesh-like screen. Talking with the manufacturer will help you determine the right fit for your home.

Here are the two most common types:

Slope Dryer Vents - These have clean lines and slopes and an overall modern appearance. They work well with any home.

Sweep Dryer Vents - These are more elaborate in design and have visible lines and details. They work best with Victorian homes.

Once a copper dryer vent is installed, you can rest assured that the piece will remain in tact for years. Unlike plastic dryer vents that crack and let particles leak into the home, copper ones will remain in one piece. And, you don't have to worry about the copper rusting like other types of metal. When the copper does age, it will do so gracefully and take on different colors of patina.

While copper dryer vents are most commonly used in place of plastic dryer vents, they can also be used in other areas where ventilation is needed such as in kitchens and bathrooms. Make your home healthier and more beautiful with a copper dryer vent.

Metal chimneys are used for a variety of reasons, including wood stoves, pre-fab fireplace installations and gas venting. With metal chimneys, a chimney cap needs to be placed on the top. Since there is nowhere for the rain to go with these types of applications, a chimney cap sends rain water away from the chimney. This protects the stove, fireplace or heater from rain water, which will in turn damage the walls and ceilings.

Another reason why chimney caps are necessary is because mammals, including birds and squirrels, are capable of nesting in the chimney. A chimney cap prevents the nests from forming and clogging up the space.

Finally, because metal chimneys are made with layers of metal with no insulation, water and moisture can get in between these layers and cause early damage. With a cap, this problem is avoided and allows water and moisture to escape.

Not all chimney caps are the same. If you have draft problems, you'll want to choose "draft increasing" caps that cause winds to create upward drafts through the chimney cap. If you don't have draft problems, any replacement cap is suitable. Try to find a cap that matches the brand of your chimney, as this ensures that both pieces will work together efficiently.

If you cannot find a cap in the same brand, a generic brand is also acceptable. Just be sure that you speak with the store or manufacturer to ensure that the cap can be used with your chimney. Also consider the material of the chimney cap, as standard caps can be made from steel, stainless steel, aluminum and copper.

Copper is often the material of choice, as it's decorative, elegant and ages well. Instead of rusting, the patina turns a greyish color and prevents the metal from erosion. Low maintenance and a low cost also make copper chimney caps an excellent choice. With the wide variety of copper selections available through manufacturers, there are many options for homeowners that will turn their home into something spectacular.

Crescent City Copper offers a complete collection of copper chimney caps that are both durable and long-lasting. Browse through their online collection and see what they have to offer your home.

Reference: Heart.com Articles

Are you tired of those conventional gutter downspouts that lurk around your yard? Rain chains are the perfect alternative, as they're attractive and functional; a great way to spruce up any outdoor area! They can be made from a variety of materials, including brass, aluminum or iron. However, most people agree that copper rain chains are both aesthetically pleasing and practical for any yard.

Copper rain chains break the fall of water and guide it downward to the ground, just as a downspout would. The rain water can then be collected in a basin or rain barrel; a great alternative to just wasting water. Use the collected water for other things around the home, such as watering plants or gardens.

So what do you want to look for when purchasing a copper rain chain for your outdoor area? The rain chains should be made from 100% solid copper - not copper coated varieties. Solid copper is heavy duty and long-lasting, which means you won't have to worry about rust or erosion. The cup style should also feature an open bottom that ensures that the water flow will flow efficiently, even during heavy rainfalls.

When you've selected a copper rain chain, rest assured that the installation process will be simple. A screwdriver is all you need to remove the old downspout. The new copper rain chain can be installed with a versatile hanging hook that fits almost all gutter systems. If you're concerned about the installation process, check with the company you're purchasing the rain chain from and ask if they have contractors available to help.

Although copper rain chains are a popular way to enhance the yard with a functional device, they aren't something new. Rain chains were first used in Japan in houses and temples. While they have a short history here in the U.S., rain chains have been around for hundreds of years. They continue to be practical, useful additions to architecture with their unique charm and rustic appeal.

There are many different types of rain chains available on the market today from manufacturers like Crescent City Copper. From simple, classic chains to unique shapes like umbrellas, teacups & more, there are copper rain chains to suit every personality and style of home.

Image c/o Crescent City Copper

Copper has been used for many purposes through man's history. In our modern day, however, the use of copper has evolved as architects have discovered new ways to use this metal, both indoors and out. One recent example of cutting-edge copper design is the use of copper as an interior design accent. Copper can be chemically fashioned into different color shades to accent a home's palette as shown above.  

As interior use of copper has grown, so has exterior architectural use. In 2009, the winner of the European Copper in Architecture Awards was the Archaeology Museum of Vitoria, Spain shown below. This copper building was designed by the architectural firm of Mangado Y Asociados. The use of bronze to create an openwork design displays a contrast of styles.

Copper can also be used as an exterior surface for residential properties as seen in the Clip House from Spain shown below. This building's exterior combines copper, concrete and glass to create a concept home composed of two separate levels attached to a flat concrete wall. The levels are covered with copper sheets that also serve as walkways, allowing residents to walk between the levels to get a view of the neighborhood.

As copper ages, it develops a patina of blue-green over the metal. A notable example of this process is the Statue of Liberty which is made of copper but has since turned entirely green. Designers are also making use of this naturally occurring process for architectural purposes. Some architects are chemically prepatinating copper to create this blue-green color themselves instead of letting the metal age. This chemically-altered surface is then used as the exterior for residential and commercial buildings as seen on the U.K. building below. 

Another striking example of copper architecture is the Yapi Kredi Bank Academy Building located in Turkey seen here.

This concept building has a copper facade over two rectangular sections. These copper-covered columns contain the academy's classrooms. This design was invented by John McAslan, an English architect.  

All it takes to create your own outstanding combination of copper architectural elements is a good manufacturer. Crescent City Copper is one such manufacturer specializing in copper awnings, copper windchimes, copper weathervanes and more.

Images c/o: coppercanada.ca, bustler.net, trendir.com, hoponbaby.com, architeria.com

Metallurgy refers to the science of shaping raw metals into useful objects, such as tools or jewelry. This process has been carried out on planet Earth for thousands of years, dating back to the year 6000 B.C. While primitive methods of reshaping metal such as pounding and chipping were originally used, mankind began to progress in their use of metal after discovering that exposing the material to heat allowed them to fashion it into just about any shape they wanted.  

During the years between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age, copper became the most widely used metal in civilization for a time. This period is referred to as the Copper Age or the Chalcolithic Period. The word "chalcolithic" is a combination of the Greek words for "copper" and "stone". During this era, copper metallurgy was discovered and ancient cultures found that they could fashion copper into useful instruments such as tools, furnishing and ornaments.

Since copper is retrieved from natural mines, it generally contains impurities in its raw state. As metallurgical technology advanced, metalworkers learned that they could remove the impure materials from copper by exposing the metal to higher temperatures. This process came to be known as smelting. Once the copper was refined, it could be poured into molds and cast into a variety of shapes for use.

Historians are not certain when the process of smelting was first invented, but archaeologists have discovered copper artifacts in Egypt that date back to the year 3600 B.C. Originally these items were only available to royalty and members of high society, but were later passed down to the common people. Despite these findings in the Nile valley, many historians believe that copper smelting originated hundreds of years earlier in Western Asia.

Copper was a great choice for early metalworking, because of its durability and its malleability which made it easy to shape. Copper is resistant to melting, burning and corrosion and it contains antibacterial elements that may prevent the spread of some diseases. While some of this information may not have been known to early civilizations, their use of copper was a wise decision. Some copper artifacts from the Chalolithic Period have been found that are still in working order.

After the Copper Age ended, mankind entered the Bronze Age and, later, the Iron Age. As cheaper and more widely available metals have been discovered, the widespread use of copper has diminished but the metal is still appreciated for ornamental purposes and designs. Even homeowners have begun using copper fixtures and structures to decorate their property. Residential copper resellers such as Crescent City Copper carry a wide variety of copper ornaments for houses, including copper weathervanes, cupolas and awnings.

Image c/o: Robbie 1

Since copper is derived from a naturally-occurring mineral, it has been used by civilizations for thousands of years. Historians are not certain about when copper was discovered, but they believe that the earliest use of copper was roughly 11,000 years ago in the Middle East. Actual copper-smelting sites have been discovered throughout Jordan, Egypt and Israel. These are believed to have been used as early as 4500 B.C. In the United States, some historians claim that Native Americans were using copper 7000 years ago in the area now known as Michigan.

 

For thousands of years, copper was the only metal used by mankind. Since it was so malleable, copper was used for many purposes. Notably, ancient Egyptians used copper to create tubes for plumbing. Nearly 5000 years after it was made, some copper tubing that has been recovered from archaeological sites in Egypt is still functional. A short time later, people began using copper alloys to create ornaments and furnishings such as lamps and jewelry.

 

Eventually bronze, a copper alloy, became more popular than the original metal, sparking the Bronze Age. During this time, the use of bronze and, by extension, copper spread into Asia and Europe. Copper mines were discovered in Thailand and England which led to copper being used widely in these countries. By the Middle Ages, copper plating had been discovered and was being added to ships' hulls to protect them against rot. During the 1800s, scientists realized that copper could be used as an insulator. This discovery led to copper wiring.

 

After people began finding gold 6000 years ago, the monetary value of copper began to decline. Alloys of tin and iron eventually replaced copper alloys as the standard metal, since these materials were so easy to find. In our modern day, copper is still used for plumbing because of its resilience. Copper has also regained its luster among designers, being used extensively for ornamental purposes. Residential copper retailers such as Crescent City Copper provide copper awnings, copper weathervanes and cupolas for homeowners.

 

Image c/o: ahisgett

Weathervanes have been in use for more than 3,500 years. They are believed to have originated in Mesopotamia, but historians have also found evidence of use of tools to read wind direction in early Chinese writings. The first real weathervane was built by Andronicus for the Tower of the Winds in the first century B.C. The tower's weathervane was erected in the likeness of the Greek god Triton, since the people believed he controlled the weather. Similar weathervanes were eventually added to homes throughout Greece and Rome.

Several centuries later, the Vikings used weathervanes atop their buildings. In the ninth century B.C., the Pope directed all Catholic churches to be topped by a statue of a rooster in remembrance of Peter's denial of Christ. These statues were eventually combined with weathervanes to form the animal-topped weathervanes we commonly see today.

Shortly after the Revolutionary War ended, weathervanes made their debut in the United States. The country's first president George Washington requested that a weathervane be added to his Mount Vernon home. Other patriotic figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Paul Revere also had weathervanes on their houses. A notable weathervane in the U.S. is the grasshopper weathervane that adorns Boston's Fanueil Hall, which was constructed in 1742. That vane (with repairs) has lasted for more than 250 years of American history.

One reason the grasshopper weathervane has been so durable is that it was made from copper. Copper weathervanes were the common style manufactured during the mid to late 1700s in America. Copper has long-lasting quality. This is a main reason for its popularity.  The metal is both durable and decorative, making it a great choice for constructing weathervanes.

Homeowners that are interested in purchasing a copper weathervane should make sure that the vane is made of solid copper. Some modern weathervanes may only be covered with copper. Crescent City Copper is one of many copper retailers that specializes in copper weathervanes for residential use. Crescent City Copper also offers a unique range of tabletop weathervanes.

Image c/o: Crescent City Copper

Cupolas are symmetrical ornamental designs that are added to the top of buildings. Most cupolas are shaped as domes and topped by some kind of decoration, such as a cross (on a church) or a statue (on a government building). Typically, a cupola is erected as a separate structure from the building's roof and may sit in the center or off to one side of the roof.

The first known use of cupolas dates back to the 8th century where these domes were commonly used on buildings in Islamic empires. Originally, cupolas were used by criers who signaled the time for prayer by calling out from under the domes. Historians are not sure how cupolas spread to other countries, but they were eventually seen in Spain, Austria and England. Despite their religious origin, cupolas served other purposes. They allowed air to circulate through tall buildings and they provided small rooms that could be used as lofts.

Several prominent U.S. government buildings are adorned with cupolas. The large dome of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. is topped by a cupola, which is decorated by the "Statue of Freedom".  A similar design is atop the state capitol of Georgia, which has a golden cupola and a statute named "Miss Freedom".

While cupolas can be constructed of just about any building material, many of them are made of copper. Unlike wood or fiberglass, copper needs no maintenance, making it an ideal material for outdoor structures such as cupolas. Another benefit of using copper to make a cupola is the metal's aesthetic value. Over time, the copper's shiny finish will become bronze and eventually a faded green color. These changes are normal and add character to a building.

Copper retailers such as Crescent City Copper sell copper structures of all types for buildings, including cupolas. You can view some photographs of copper cupolas on the Crescent City web site. While cupolas are commonly seen on municipal buildings, they can also add value and beauty to residential properties.

Image c/o: ell brown