Looking to save some money on your next project? Check out our Specials page for some great deals! We’ve got copper downspout, copper gutters, kynar gutters, galvanized gutters, dryer vents, leaderheads and more – with savings up to 50% off! We have lots of small batches of gutters (1 or 2 pieces), so if you’re looking for a small run of gutter, or want to use them as planters, we have just what you need!

Special items are first-come, first-served, so don’t wait – or you could miss out.

A quick glance at our website might leave you thinking we only work with copper and stainless steel – which is incorrect. We use aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, cor-ten, galvanized steel, bonderized steel, kynar (pre-painted), lead, stainless steel, zinc – and probably a few more that I’m missing. We also make lots of items not pictured on our website. You can see some unique projects on our Commercial pictures page and the Everything Else page. Here is a semi-comprehensive list of what we fabricate (obviously I’ll miss some stuff):

• 10′ flashings – z-bar, wall to roof, coping, counter flashing, w-valley, drip edge, etc
• Backsplashes and wall liners
• Bay windows
• Beam caps
• Chimney & skylight saddles
• Chimney chase caps
• Cornices
• Countertops
• Cupolas
• Custom downspouts
• Custom gutters – up to 20′ lengths
• Deco tops (decorative chimney caps)
• Domes
• Door pans
• Dormer roofs
• Dormer vents
• Drain pans
• Ductwork – duct, plenums, elbows, tees, wyes, square to rounds, flex connectors, transitions, etc
• Fireplace surrounds
• Fountains
• Gable vents
• Gooseneck dryer vents
• Grease duct (welded duct)
• Hood liners
• Kitchen countertops
• Kitchen hoods
• Kitchen hood shrouds
• Light fixtures
• Leaderheads (aka conductor heads)
• Louvers
• Mantles
• Planters
• Post straps
• Quilted backsplashes
• Radius gutters, flashings
• Rafter tail caps
• Ridge vents
• Roof curbs
• Roof jacks
• Scuppers
• Siding panels
• Standing seam roofs
• Step shingles
• Structural brackets
• Wall caps (dryer vents)
• Water features
• Window headers

Looking for something else? Contact us today!

Custom patina created by customer

Patina is a thin layer that variously forms (a small amount of surface rust, without pitting) on copper, bronze and similar metals.

The green patina that forms naturally on copper and bronze, sometimes called verdigris, usually consists of varying mixtures of copper chlorides, sulfides, sulfates and carbonates, depending upon environmental conditions such as sulfur-containing acid rain. In clean air rural environments, the patina is created by the slow chemical reaction of copper with carbon dioxide and water, producing a basic copper carbonate. In industrial and urban air environments containing sulfurous acid rain from coal-fired power plants or industrial processes, the final patina is primarily composed of sulphide or sulphate compounds. [1]

In layman’s terms, patina is a natural coating formed by the interaction of copper with water, air, and everything contained therein.

It’s not harmful to the copper itself, and in fact is part of the natural beauty of copper. It is possible to control the process somewhat – either by applying your own patina before mother nature does, or by applying a wax or sealant to inhibit the natural process. The easier option is to apply your own patina – once you’re done, you’re done. If you go the wax/sealant route, you’ll be re-applying and dealing with upkeep for the rest of your life. That’s another part of the beauty of patina (natural or contrived) – set it and forget it.

Inside your house is generally a much milder climate than the outdoors; therefore, patina on a copper countertop will not form as quickly as patina on copper gutters. The patina formed inside will take longer to form, and generally be less drastic. Regularly wiping your copper countertops with warm, soapy water will keep them from forming a thick patina layer – but they will most likely start to darken (again, this depends on many environmental factors, as well as what you spill on them).

My suggestion? Let them patina. If you can’t wait, have a patina applied before installation. But don’t seal them. You lose the anti-microbial benefits, and you’re inhibiting the natural process (and beauty) of copper. Oh, and adding to your to-do list.

1. Wikipedia

When it comes to metal countertops, the two heavyweights are copper and stainless steel.

Both are great options, with distinctly different feels. Copper tends to add warmth, where stainless steel tends to feel more modern. Both will become scratched with regular use – that’s how metal works. If that’s a concern, you can always have a vibration finish applied – this hides all but the deepest scratches (by applying very fine non-directional scratches all over).

One misconception I’ve seen while browsing the internet is that copper countertops are soft and dent easily.

While copper IS soft, if you use 48 oz copper (as we do), it is not easily bent or dented. It’s approximately 1/16″ thick – it’s not flimsy by any standard. It can be dented – but dropping a can from a cabinet is not going to destroy your countertop, or even do significant damage. If you use the thin, DIY copper countertop sheets you can get online, then yes, your countertop will be in a sad state.

There’s no substitute for using the correct thickness of material.

Most people seem to realize that for stainless steel countertops, you want to use approximately 1/16″ thick sheets. So like the copper, these are not easily bent or dented.

Cleaning

Cleaning either material is rather simple. Warm soapy water is pretty much all you need. Copper countertops will develop a patina over time (change color) – for most people, this is part of the beauty of copper. If you don’t want them to patina, you’re going to need to spend a lot of time with upkeep – using a sealant or a wax to keep them protected from water and anything else that might spill on them. The big downside to sealing copper countertops is that you lose out on their inherent antimicrobial properties – they’ll kill almost all bacteria left on them after a few hours.

Have questions about stainless steel or copper countertops? Ask us! Give us a call or leave a comment below.

Copper is a wonderful material for roofing and guttering needs. If you are replacing existing gutters, you need to be sure that you don’t mix existing downspouts with a non-compatible gutter material. For example, you would not want to pair new copper gutters with existing steel or aluminum downspouts. Copper will cause both to rust prematurely – even if you put a barrier in between. The runoff from the copper gutter into the downspouts will corrode the steel or aluminum prematurely.

As you can see in the chart, pairing aluminum and steel would be fine. Pairing copper and stainless steel also works, and is a very common practice. If you’re having gutters made out of gold, skip the nickel downspouts – you’re stuck with gold. Also, we’d love to make those gutters and downspouts for you.

At 130 years old, Lady Liberty is still one of the most iconic and easily recognizable women in history. She represents hope, democracy and peace. Standing 151 feet tall atop a 154-foot pedestal, she gives new meaning to the term “statuesque” and has a lovely green pallor.

But the Statue of Liberty wasn’t always green. When she was originally assembled in 1885, all 350 pieces were the typical brown color native to copper. Over the course of the next 30 years the copper brown color slowly changed, first to a darker brown, then to near black, and finally to the green color we see today.

How? Read the full article to find out.

In Topeka, Kansas, the interior of the Statehouse dome shines with a brilliance that lawmakers and visitors haven’t seen for decades.

A 138-year-old public school in New York City has gleaming new copper gutters and cornices and is protected from interior water damage.

And a new Harvard University library decided copper was the right roofing material from the start, making a dramatic impression for the modern building.

Those projects are among the winners of the Copper Development Association’s 2015 North American Copper in Architecture Awards. The association, along with the Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association, picked 12 projects from around the country that best represent the use of architectural copper and its related alloys.

“Every year, we’re impressed by the number of quality award submissions that we receive for the program,” said CDA spokesman Stephen Knapp. “We couldn’t be more pleased to see how many of these projects exemplify not only the sustainability and durability of copper, but the incredible diversity in the world of architecture.”

Honors were awarded in the categories of new construction, restoration/renovation and ornamental applications. The projects were recognized earlier this year at a ceremony in Atlanta.

Here are this year’s winners. [read the full story at snipsmag.com]

Half Round Copper Gutters w/Double Scroll Cast Brass Hangers

A copper rain gutter system can improve the appearance of your home like no other gutter system.

Copper gutters are found on architect-designed custom homes, historic homes and other high-end homes. Today, the Earth houses some 690 million tons of copper now being mined, with another 3,500 million tons as yet to be tapped. [2] There’s no shortage of copper available, yet the economic forces that affect mining cause the price of copper to fluctuate, sometimes dramatically. Some major mining companies even forecast shortages from time to time, but those are strictly economic shortages—not true shortages—for our planet is a virtual treasure box of copper. [3]

The Attractions of Copper Gutters

Copper is a highly lustrous metal that can be polished to a brilliant sheen. It is durable, strong, and corrosion-resistant. It is both ductile (can be stretched or drawn) and malleable (capable of being rolled into sheets and bent into other shapes without tearing or fracturing). It’s easy to work with and makes the ideal metal for rain gutters.

Concord Sheet Metal’s copper gutters add real beauty to a home and last for many decades with virtually no maintenance. In addition to its corrosion-resistance, copper prevents the growth of algae, mosses and lichen. When these nuisance plants begin growing in a non-copper gutter system, they block the clear flow of rain water, adding to your maintenance headaches. [5]

Copper reacts with the atmosphere to form a patina, which adds a distinguished, elegant and sophisticated appearance to your entire home. Patina can range from blue, green, brown, or even black, depending on the surrounding environment. If you like, you may choose to have Concord Sheet Metal pre-patina your gutter and accessories to immediately give the richness of a patina to your gutter system. Most of the gutters pictured on our website have been pre-patinaed by Concord Sheet Metal.

Rain gutters are like the frame on a picture. A properly sized and stylish copper gutter complements and enhances the home’s appeal, while the wrong style or improperly sized gutter detracts from that appearance. All considered, copper gutters add character, distinction and class to any home or structure.

Gutters Prevent Structural Damage

Flashings carry water off the roof. Gutters and downspouts direct water away from your home. In most parts of the U.S. where seasonal rainfall is significant, water running from your roof to the ground can eventually cause damage to the foundation of the structure. Those torrents of water repeatedly falling from the roof can also lead to basement flooding, mold, erosion, damage to wood and paint as well as decks, patios and landscaping. Unless you live in the driest areas of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah or Wyoming—the four states with the least annual precipitation—rain gutters are probably needed to prevent these types of damage. [6]

Copper Costs More

While copper gutters are beautiful and never need painting, they do cost more—but only initially. Homeowners find their lifetime cost of ownership puts copper about the same as aluminum gutters, but with far less maintenance and care.

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, [4] copper gutters have an expected lifespan conservatively rated at well beyond 50 years. It is not uncommon for copper gutters to last as long as 80 to 100 years, while aluminum, galvanized steel and vinyl gutters often need replacement every 20 years or so. Each replacement requires new material, tear-down of the old gutters, scaffolding, painting, disposal fees and more. As such, the lifetime cost for copper competes nicely with ordinary gutters. Furthermore, some 90 percent of the copper used in making gutters comes from recycled material, while vinyl, aluminum and galvanized gutters often end their lives discarded in landfills. Copper is a much “greener” solution that does not have the same negative environmental impact as non-copper gutters.

Many homeowners view copper gutters as an investment that increases the curb appear of a home just as dramatically as it raises the resale value of the property. In the final analysis, you’ll want to compare the initially higher cost of copper with your objectives for low maintenance, longevity, durability and stylish appearance.

Copper gutters are soldered together which requires less installation labor than ordinary galvanized gutters that require riveting and sealing. Further, soldered joints don’t leak at the seams that join each segment. Other types, such as aluminum and galvanized, are joined together with a caulking sealer that requires periodic maintenance to prevent leaks. In all, the initial installation cost for copper gutters can run 1.5 to three times that of aluminum, galvanized or vinyl gutters.

Choosing Among Copper Gutter Designs

The purpose of a gutter system is to capture the water as it flows off your roof and carry it to the ground, preventing damage to the foundation of the building and preventing water damage to the structure. Choosing a specific type of gutter design depends on two key factors: If you live in an area where rainfall is heavy, you will need gutters with a size and shape capable of carrying water from your roof without overflowing. The total square footage of your roof determines the gutter capacity required. Also, the steeper your roof pitch, the higher capacity gutter you will need. Rain water will careen much faster off a steep roof than one with a milder pitch, and your gutter needs the capacity to handle that rush of water.

Half Round Copper Gutters

Half Round Copper Gutter w/Star Outlet & Cast Brass Hanger

These gutters are often used on custom homes and homes that emulate historical styles of construction where visual appeal or historical accuracy are essential. Architectural style is also an important consideration when choosing your gutters. Half round copper gutters come in sizes ranging from four inches to more than seven inches across, capable of diverting small or large amounts of water away from the structure.

K-Style Copper Gutters

Custom 8″ Ogee Copper Gutter

Also known as Ogee gutter, this is the most popular gutter design in the U.S. The majority of homes use K-style gutters. Their flat, vertical side allows attaching directly to the fascia boards, making installation somewhat faster and more economical than half-round gutters. These copper gutters with the characteristic “S-shape” front wall are made in both standard 5″ and 6″ widths. For custom jobs, larger and smaller sizes are available in up to 20′ lengths.

Eclipse Millennium Copper Gutters

Eclipse Millennium Copper Gutter with Green over Brown patina

This unique, patented gutter system adds the rich look of crown molding to your entire home. Should the gutter ever become clogged, water would flow over the front of the gutter—not back up the roof. Ideally suited for tile roof systems, this design handles high velocity water flows and requires virtually no maintenance. [7]

The best way to obtain a detailed quotation for copper gutters is to contact us here; by phone at 800-799-1900; or, by fax at 925-680-6569. In the meantime, here are some general guidelines you can use to roughly estimate your installation costs.

Copper is measured in ounces per square foot. Copper gutters are generally made of 16 oz or 20 oz material.  You can find current pricing for various gutter designs and weights at our online store.

As a general guideline, installation costs run about $1,000 to $1,200 per day for labor, plus materials. An installation crew with two workers can install about 130 linear feet per day, however if many mitered corners are involved, that may drop to around 75 linear feet daily. Other factors such as roof pitch, whether fascia boards are perpendicular to the ground rather than slanted, and overall accessibility will affect the number of linear feet workmen can install in a day.

Concord Sheet Metal is a fabricator only, but we may be able to provide you with contact info for an experienced installer in your area.

Sources:

2. http://copperalliance.org/core-initiatives/sd/availability/

3. http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2015/01/14/copper-prices-deficit/

4. http://www.nachi.org/life-expectancy.htm

5. http://www.coppagutta.co.uk/material_benefits.htm

6. http://www.netstate.com/states/tables/state_precipitation_average.htm

7. http://sweets.construction.com/swts_content_files/151405/P234267.htm

Stainless Cladding Port of SF

Click FS to view the pictures at full size.

This 1/4″ thick 316 Stainless Steel decorative cladding is installed at the Port of San Francisco. The long stretch also has wood seats built into it with a stainless steel support frame.