# Copper cladding

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{{Short description|Application of copper to the exterior of buildings}}
{{Issues|
{{globalize|article|Europe|date=December 2021}}
{{One source|date=August 2024}}
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thumb|Harvington Parish Church, with its copper-clad spire
thumb|Copper-clad spire at the Saïd Business School Oxford

There are four main techniques used today in the [UK](/source/UK) and [mainland Europe](/source/mainland_Europe) for '''copper cladding'''<ref>Wise Geek: What is copper cladding?; http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-copper-cladding.htm</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mark |first1=Christopher |title=Roof Repairs Canberra |url=https://roofrepairscanberra.com |access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref> a building:
* seamed-[cladding](/source/Cladding_(construction)) (typically 0.7&nbsp;mm thick copper sheet on the facade): max 600&nbsp;mm by 4000&nbsp;mm 'seam centres'.
* shingle-cladding (typically made from 0.7&nbsp;mm thick copper sheet): max 600&nbsp;mm by 4000&nbsp;mm 'seam centres'.
* slot-in panels (typically made from 1.0&nbsp;mm thick copper sheet): max 350&nbsp;mm wide for 1.0&nbsp;mm, by nominal 4&nbsp;m length.
* cassettes (typically made from 1.0&nbsp;mm up to 1.5&nbsp;mm thick copper sheet): largest-format cladding elements, more subframing is needed: can be 900&nbsp;mm x nominal 4000&nbsp;mm length.

When selecting size of a cladding element, take wind-loadings into account, and also consider the standard sizes available of the sheet (or coil) pre-material, to minimise material wastage through off-cuts. This helps to reduce costs.

The choice of which system to use depends on the [aesthetic](/source/aesthetic) effect required, and building [geometry](/source/geometry) can also have an influence on the choice.

Copper cladding is very durable, lightweight compared to other materials and techniques, and at the end of the building life is also 100% [recyclable](/source/recyclable).

Depending on metal prices, copper may be a very cost-effective cladding and [roofing](/source/roofing_material) material. With good building design, materials choice and [craftsmanship](/source/Artisan), copper roofing or facade cladding may be cheaper than [slate](/source/slate)s or [concrete](/source/concrete) tiles, especially when one takes into account the lasting [colour](/source/colour), durability, [maintenance](/source/Maintenance%2C_repair_and_operations)-free and lightweight nature of the cladding.

Because the UK code of practice for "hard metal" cladding (as opposed to lead cladding) is quite old – CP143: part 12 (1970) – the major [manufacturers](/source/manufacturers) have to provide detailed technical advice and information for architects, designers and builders, and cultivate skilled installers with years of experience to draw on.

Typically, an installer of hard metal roofing and cladding must put in around 8–10 years on-the-job in order to achieve a respectable experience on a work site.

==See also==
* [Copper in architecture: Wall cladding](/source/Copper_in_architecture)

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Copper Cladding}}
Category:Copper
Category:Building materials
Category:Roofing materials

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Copper cladding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_cladding) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_cladding?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.