Myth
Green patina means the copper is rotting.
Fact
The patina is a protective layer that adheres tightly and slows further weathering.
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Copper Gutters in New Orleans
Here at Big Easy Gutter, we install copper gutters on New Orleans homes that deserve a finish built to age, not wear out. Copper needs no paint and slowly turns from bright metal to a protective green patina that suits traditional architecture.
- Free estimatesFor copper systems
- No coating neededCopper protects itself
- 8.3 in. per hourA 10-year storm burst here
- Mon - Fri8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Copper gutters in New Orleans
A gutter that gets better looking with age
Copper gutters are troughs and downspouts formed from sheet copper, with joints that are typically soldered. Copper resists corrosion on its own, needs no paint or coating, and weathers to a green patina that protects the metal underneath. It suits homes where the look and the long view both matter.
If you're restoring an older home or want gutters that match its character, contact us to talk through copper.
How copper ages
How long does it take copper gutters to turn green?
Years, and it varies. Copper starts shiny and reddish-brown, then slowly turns green as acidic moisture reacts with the surface. The Copper Development Association notes the process runs faster in metropolitan and marine areas, and its weathering chart spans roughly 25 to 30 years in a moist climate.
- 1
Shiny to dark
New copper starts out shiny and reddish-brown, then darkens as it weathers.
- 2
Dark to green
Over years, the green patina forms and bonds tightly to the surface, shielding the metal from further weathering.
- 3
Prefer it gray?
Copper with a tin-zinc plating weathers to gray instead of green, per This Old House.
Patina formation and timing: Copper Development Association, Copper in Architecture Design Handbook, section 1.3. Tin-zinc plating: This Old House.
Copper and its neighbors
What should copper gutters never touch?
Aluminum and zinc. Copper is the more noble metal, so when it touches them in the rain, they corrode and it doesn't. Copper runoff can also damage aluminum below it and leave green stains on light, porous stone. A copper system has to be planned as a whole, from flashing to downspout.
Shingle and tile roofs need a detail too. Acidic rain collected off a large non-copper roof and funneled into a copper gutter can eat at the metal before its patina forms, and shingles resting right on the copper hold moisture along the edge. The handbook's fix is to raise the lower edge of the shingles with a cant strip.
Galvanic corrosion, runoff, staining and erosion corrosion: Copper Development Association, Copper in Architecture Design Handbook, section 1.3.
- No aluminum in contact
- No zinc in contact
- Runoff kept off aluminum
- Away from light stone
What the handbook says
What does a copper gutter system need to handle New Orleans storms?
Correct sizing, sound joints and room to move, according to the Copper Development Association. Its handbook lists New Orleans at about 8.3 inches per hour for a five-minute burst in a storm expected once a decade, so gutter and downspout size come first.
- 1
Sized for the rain here
The handbook lists New Orleans at 8.3 inches per hour for a 10-year, five-minute storm and 10.9 for a 100-year one. Only a handful of listed cities, mostly in Hawaii, are higher.
- 2
Joints built to last
Copper joints are typically soldered, and the handbook notes soldered seams should last the life of the copper.
- 3
Room to expand
The handbook's guidance is expansion joints no more than 48 feet apart on long straight runs and within 24 feet of any corner, so heat doesn't buckle the trough.
- 4
Water carried away
Downspout extensions move the water off your lot's low spots. See where downspout water should go.
Want copper on part of the house only, like a front porch? Ask us about custom gutters.
Side by side
Copper or aluminum gutters?
It depends on the look you want and how you weigh upfront cost against the long view. Copper needs no coating and can last over 50 years with proper maintenance, according to This Old House. Aluminum costs less, comes in copper-look colors and forms into seamless runs.
| What matters | Copper | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Natural metal, weathers to a green patina | Painted, including copper-look colors |
| Coating needed | None | Factory finish |
| Joints | Typically soldered | Seamless runs or riveted, caulked sections |
| Lifespan | Over 50 years with proper maintenance (This Old House) | Heavier gauges last much longer than thin (This Old House) |
| Upfront cost | Among the most expensive materials | Low cost |
| Installation | Professional only, specialized tools | Easier to form and hang |
Sources: This Old House and the Copper Development Association. We'll walk you through both in your free estimate, or call 504-208-2247.
Myth or fact
What do people get wrong about copper gutters?
Three things come up again and again: that the green means the gutter is failing, that copper needs no planning because it never corrodes, and that you can mix it freely with other metals. Each one leads to a disappointing result if you believe it.
Myth
Copper never corrodes, so any detail works.
Fact
Concentrated runoff from a shingle or tile roof can wear copper before it patinas. Edge details matter.
Myth
Copper can share a roof with any metal.
Fact
Copper corrodes aluminum and zinc it touches, and its runoff harms aluminum below it.
Get started
Talk to us about copper gutters for your New Orleans home
Here at Big Easy Gutter, we assess your roof and trim, recommend the copper profile and layout that suit the house, and price it with a free estimate.
Share a photo or a few details about your home, or phone 504-208-2247 to book your free estimate. We're available Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
FAQ
Copper gutter questions from New Orleans homeowners
Question not here?
Call us at 504-208-2247 and we will walk you through it.
Request a FREE QuoteAre copper gutters worth it?
They're worth it if you value appearance and longevity over upfront price. This Old House says copper can last over 50 years with proper maintenance, and the Copper Development Association notes it needs no protective coating. On a historic or high-end home, copper also suits the architecture in a way painted metal rarely matches.
How long do copper gutters last?
This Old House puts copper at over 50 years with proper maintenance. The Copper Development Association adds that soldered seams should last the life of the copper itself. Real lifespan depends on design details, especially keeping copper away from aluminum and zinc and protecting it from concentrated runoff off shingle or tile roofs.
Do copper gutters turn green?
Yes, over time. Copper starts shiny and reddish-brown, then gradually develops a green patina as acidic moisture reacts with the surface. In marine and city air the change tends to come sooner. If you want a gray look instead, tin-zinc plated copper weathers to gray rather than green.
Will copper gutters stain my house?
They can stain light, porous materials such as limestone or marble when copper-laden water drips slowly onto them. Heavy rain rarely causes it because the water moves too fast. Gutters and downspouts that carry runoff away, plus drip edges of at least an inch, help keep stains off the walls.
Can copper gutters be used with an aluminum roof edge?
Not in direct contact. Copper corrodes aluminum and zinc when the two touch in the presence of rainwater, and copper runoff can damage aluminum below it. The fix is to separate them with compatible coatings, tape or gaskets, or to use copper for the flashing as well.
Are copper gutters good for older New Orleans homes?
Often, yes. Copper's natural finish and half-round profiles suit traditional architecture, and the metal needs no paint to stay protected in a humid climate. We assess the roof, trim and drainage first, then recommend whether copper, or a copper-look aluminum, fits your home and budget better.
How much do copper gutters cost in New Orleans?
Copper sits at the premium end of gutter materials, and every home prices differently. Run length, profile, stories, downspouts and any custom work all play a part. Ask us for a free estimate and we'll come back with a figure for copper, plus a copper-look alternative if you'd like to compare.
What our clients say
What our customers have to say
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