Rutland Architectural Blog - Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Decorative roof finials are typically made out of pure copper or aluminum and provide a decorative enhancement to any residential, commercial or public building architecture. Custom finials of nearly any size and design may be fabricated by metal work artisans along with integral custom finial bases. Decorative finial types include roof finials, garden finials, fence or post finials. Finial bases for roof finials may constructed to fit or conform to the shape and pitch of the roof on which they will be mounted, providing a more streamlined, tight fitting and elegant appearance. The finial bases may also provide appropriate weather resistant integral flashing in their design. To illustrate this point, a copper finial, model FL023 custom designed by Rutland, is shown below with a custom roof finial base designed for mounting at junction of intersecting roof peaks.

copper finials roof custom decorative design finial

roof finials copper decorative custom finial design

Copper Roof Finial FL023 with Custom Finial Base

finial base custom design finial roof mounting shapes

Finial Base Shapes for Various Roof Mounting

Rutland's architectural copper work and metal working artisans have created over 50 standard finial designs in many different styles, shapes and sizes. Rutland also is able to manufacture any custom size of finial and an unlimited array of designs provided by or specified by their clients which include architects, builders, contractors, designers, home and building owners. All of Rutland's standard metal finials and custom finials may be constructed with the base shape specified by the customer as copper finials or aluminum finials. Additional finials and spires including roof finials, architectural finials, garden finials and decorative finials may also be seen on Rutland pages featuring Finials.

2/22/2011 2:21 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Gutters Colors Chart

Gutters and downspouts made from aluminum, galvalume and galvanized steel are available pre-painted or may be custom painted in a large variety of gutters colors to match your building or home decor. Other architectural metal work such as roof vents, wall vents, chimney caps, cupolas, roof finials, dormer vents, chimney pots, awnings, canopies, deck railings, soffit vents, etc., may also be painted to coordinate with your home colors or building decor. Oftentimes, standard products are only available in a limited color range of colors and styles. The regular paint finish might also not be very durable and may fade, peel, chip, crack, blister or flake rather quickly or in a matter of years. You want your painted architectural metal surfaces to last under normal usage and conditions for at least about 20 years with 30-35 years even better yet. Deteriorated or damaged paint coverings not only detract from your home's appearance and lowers value, but also accelerate corrosion and wear of the underlying metal. Replacement, refinishing or repainting of deteriorated metalwork can be both time consuming and costly. Starting out with a better paint finish better protects your investment and is a far better value in the long run.

Gutter Color Chart - Regular Paint Finish

gutters colors for aluminum gutters and downspouts, pictured are regular paint finish colors

Gutters Color Chart - Premium Kynar Finish
gutters colors for gutters downspouts and architectural metal work pictured are premium Kynar 500 paint finish colors

gutters colors for gutters downspouts and architectural metal work pictured are premium Kynar 500 paint finish colors

Regular quality paint finishes for architectural metal surfaces may often utilize thermally set polyester acrylic paint and are often found on better aluminum gutters and downspouts. If properly applied with a nice thick coating, these should last for about 20 years or so without cracking, blistering, peeling, flaking or chipping providing there is no external physical damage. Any damaged or deteriorated spots should be refinished, restored or touched up immediately to prevent further deterioration. Kynar 500, a member of the teflon family, is an even better premium custom paint finish which is more durable and longer lasting than regular paint finishes. A Kynar paint finish is virtually self-cleaning and requires much less maintenance. Kynar also offers much less chalking effect, less color change or fading than regular paint finishes and Kynar offers better abrasion resistance as well. A custom Kynar paint finish may be applied to any aluminum, galvanized steel and galvalume architectural metal work including gutters, downspouts, cupolas, roof finials, chimney caps, metal dormers, awnings, roof vents, wall vents, etc. Rutland offers in-house custom Kynar paint finish as an option for their extensive selection of gutters, downspouts and architectutral metal work. Many of Rutland's products are also available in an unfinished state in mill finish aluminum, paint grip galvanized steel or galvalume, which may be custom finished on site by the local contractor, building or home owner. Sometimes galvalume gutters and downspouts are left in an unfinished state and the innate protection may provide about 40 years worth of durability and low maintenance performance. Rutland's gutter supplies, roof accessories and architectural metal work are also available in copper, stainless steel and zinc which are most always left unfinished and whose naturally protective and durable surfaces can last upwards to 70-90 plus years with little to no maintenance required.

12/16/2010 11:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Copper Chimney Caps - Custom Stainless Steel Chimney Caps

Copper chimney caps and stainless steel chimney caps can be fashioned in all shapes, sizes and styles by metal and copper work craftsmen. Chimneys can take on a whole new appearance with a custom chimney cap mounted on the chimney top, made from high quality pure copper or thick gauge stainless steel. Instead of a minimal afterthought, chimney caps can become an attractive focal point and provide additional architectural interest and elegance to fine homes and commercial buildings.

stainless steel chimney cap - custom heavy gauge stainless steel design pictured

Custom Stainless Steel Chimney Cap

stainless steel chimney cap - custom high quality stainless steel design readied for shipment shown here

Stainless Steel Chimney Cap Ready for Shipment

copper chimney cap - custom heavy weight copper chimney top design being lifted into position

Copper Chimney Top Lifted Into Installation Position

copper chimney cap - custom heavy weight copper chimney cap design shown installed

Copper Chimney Cap - Installed

copper chimney cap - custom copper chimney cap with copper lattice sides pictured

Custom Copper Chimney Cap - Chimney Top

Custom high quality, heavy weight copper chimney caps and thick gauge stainless steel chimney caps not only are more elegant and attractive, they also are extremely durable, low maintenance and have extremely long lifespans proving better long term value than low cost designs. The welded, polished seams provide strength, trouble free durability and more attractive refined appearance. The larger sized heavy weight copper and stainless steel chimney caps may require several installers or else a lift to maneuver them into place. But once in place they will provide a lifetime of beauty and functional elegance. Rutland works with architects, contractors and property owners to help design the perfect custom chimney cap for your architecture. Rutland utilizes architectural CAD working drawings in the design process and can custom manufacture any size and style of chimney cap, chimney top or chimney shroud to accommodate customer specifications. Custom copper chimney caps, stainless steel and if desired custom painted aluminum chimney caps can be crafted by Rutland's metal fabrication and copper work craftsmen.

11/18/2010 7:15 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Monday, November 01, 2010

Cupola

Cupola is typically a smaller structure mounted on top of a larger structure such as a roof. The roof may be virtually any shape and material. Cupola are frequently seen on top of homes, public buildings, businesses and pavilions. Cupolas may also be mounted on top of structures such as dome roofs, turrets, towers, steeples, spires and gazebos. A cupola is designed to admit light and air to the structure or building below and also provide architectural interest and elegance. Functional cupola louver vents are designed to promote air flow and provide ventilation to the roof or attic space below. Cupola has also been described in architectural terms as a small domed structure on top a building which provides light, ventilation and decoration.

cupola - custom copper cupola with copper roof finial cone top view pictured here

Custom Copper Cupola - 4 Sided Roof Cupola w/ Copper Finial
copper cupola - custom roof cupola with copper finial cone pictured front view

roof cupola - custom copper cupola with roof finial copper cone pictured corner view

Cupolas are a very popular architectural enhancement on top of homes, gazebos, pavilions, barns, government or public buildings and businesses. Roof top cupolas may also be surrounded with a roof deck railing or widows walk for additional architectural interest. Cupolas are an attractive architectural feature wherever they are present. Cupolas also can provide substantial ventilation to the roof, attic or building space below. Cupolas may be built in various shapes including circular, square, hexagonal, octagonal or custom shapes. Cupolas typically are then topped with a domed, conical, bell-shaped or curved pyramidal, hexagonal or octagonal roof. The cupola roof is then often finished or crowned with an ornamental roof finial perched on top. Cupolas may be constructed from a variety of materials with wood and metals being the most common. Among metals, rust-free aluminum and copper are the most preferred materials. Aluminum is a light weight material and can be painted to coordinate with building wall or trim colors. Copper cupolas are typically not painted or coated, provide an elegant and distinguished appearance, will weather beautifully, are virtually maintenance-free, are a very green design, are very durable and are the longest lasting of all cupola construction materials. Any style of cupola will provide a pleasing attractive appearance and elegance to any building structure including a gazebo cupola for example, while cupola ventilation louvers provide excellent roof ventilation.

cupola hexagonal aluminum roof cupola with horse weathervane finial pictured roof cupola hexagonal aluminum cupola with horse weather vane pictured here
Cupola Hexagonal Aluminum w/ Horse Weathervane

Cupola designs on this page were custom manufactured by the architectural metal and copper work craftsmen at Rutland. Rutland will custom craft a cupola out of copper or aluminum in any size to your own design specifications. Cupolas can be fabricated for installation on any roof pitch and with different base shapes. Copper cupolas are made from pure heavyweight copper and have TIG welded frame. The polished, welded seams provide strength, durability and a refined appearance. Aluminum cupolas may be constructed entirely of aluminum or optionally have a copper roof. Aluminum cupolas are available in mill finish aluminum (unfinished) or optionally may be custom painted in a wide variety of colors, including two-tone. Other cupola options include louver vents for ventilation on the sides and a wide variety of decorative finials or weather vanes mounted on top. Cupolas can be shipped or delivered anywhere in North America. More custom cupola designs and standard cupola designs including 4-sided, hexagonal and octagonal may be seen at Rutland Cupolas with architectural CAD drawings also available for viewing.

11/1/2010 4:37 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Copper Home Decor - Elegant, Healthy, Green

Copper home decor is unmistakably elegant, warm, inviting and luxurious while copper decor and copper accessories are also the healthiest choice due to copper's germ killing, antimicrobial power and copper additionally is a substantial contributor to eco-friendly green design as well. Copper decor has been around forever but is becoming increasingly fashionable today and part of a natural trend in home architecture and interior design.

Copper Bath Tub (Juliana)

copper bathroom sink - copper faucet - copper toilet handle pictured here

Copper Bathroom Sink - Copper Faucet - Handle

copper sink set in blue stonework with inlaid copper designs and copper faucet, design by Milestone pictured

copper sink set in blue stonework with inlaid copper designs and copper faucet, design by Milestone pictured

Copper Sink and Stonework (Milestone)

copper shower enclosure and copper pan, indoor copper shower and outdoor copper shower shown

Copper Shower Enclosure & Pan - Indoor and Outdoor
(Indoor Copper Shower courtesy ExtremeHowTo.com - Frigo Design)

copper kitchen sink pebbled hammered copper design pictured here

copper kitchen sink pebbled hammered copper design pictured here

Copper Kitchen Sink

copper stove La Cornue copper design pictured here

Copper Stove (La Cornue)

copper range hood kitchen island hood by Rutland Copper Kitchen Decor pictured

Copper Range Hood (Rutland Copper Kitchen Hoods)

copper island bar face Chris Lemmen copper design pictured here

Copper Kitchen Island Bar Facing (Chris Lemmen)

copper kitchen sink - copper kitchen countertops pictured

Copper Sinks - Copper Counter Tops

copper kitchen cabinet doors Ikea Rubrik copper design pictured here

Copper Kitchen Cabinet Doors (Ikea Rubrik)

copper furniture Rainbow Copper Southwest Furniture Copper design pictured here

Copper Furniture (Rainbow Copper Southwest)

copper doors entryway by Saxony copper design pictured here

Copper Door Entryway (Saxony)

Copper has traditionally been used in home design for its aesthetic qualities of warmth, elegance and unique timeless beauty. Copper and most copper alloys have warmth and elegance compared to the more institutional look of say, stainless steel. Not everyone knows about the tremendous antimicrobial, antibacterial, germicidal power of copper or about copper being a very green material. As more people become aware of these uniquely copper attributes, the demand for copper products will skyrocket. Already the copper industry has been seeing increased demand for copper products over the past eight years, with a large increase in the breadth of copper products as well as the number of copper product manufacturers which supply them. Copper is the only natural material which will kill harmful bacteria, germs, fungus, mold, contagious pathogens and deadly viruses which come in contact with the copper surface. The U.S. EPA has uniquely approved copper as a germicidal agent and numerous studies have proven copper's amazing antibacterial quality. Copper starts killing germs, bacteria, viruses immediately and they are completely eliminated within hours with tremendous health benefits throughout the home, especially kitchens and bathrooms. For example E-Coli survives on stainless steel for up to 34 days while on copper surfaces it is 90% eradicated within 90 minutes, 99.9% within 2 hours and completely within 4 hours.

Copper is also one of the greenest materials ever known to man. Copper can be recycled 100% and in fact most of the copper used today in the U.S. is recycled with 4/5 of the copper ever mined around the world still in use today. Yet, we haven't even come close to tapping into all the copper deposits around the world. Copper is also one of our most durable materials and retains its excellent corrosion resistance, anti-fungal, antimicrobial and weatherability properties throughout it's extremely long life. At the end of it's long life or present application, all the copper can be reclaimed and used again and again somewhere else. Copper besides being the greenest metal is also one of the easiest metals to work with, being very malleable and can be textured, hammered, quilted, patinated, polished, rubbed and fired, giving copper the ability to evolve into many textures, hues, designs and styles, which will fit into any style of home decor, interior design or architecture.

copper garage door with glass laminate panels and copper frame by Windsor pictured

Copper Garage Door (Windsor)

10/20/2010 10:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Thursday, October 07, 2010

Naples - Ft Myers - Seamless - Gutters - Copper - Work - SW - Florida

Today we share a few pictures of some wonderful seamless gutter system installation, copper roofing and other types of copper work in the South West Florida coastal area including Naples and Ft Myers. The corrosive salt air environment being right on the Gulf of Mexico makes copper gutter systems and other architectural copper work the longest lasting and best solution due to copper's excellent corrosion resistance, durability and weatherability. Copper is also a very green building material and all the copper can be recycled 100% at the end of it's up to 90 plus year lifespan.

copper gutters half round and elegant leaderheads shown on this two story south west Florida home

half round copper gutters, round downspouts and leader conductor heads shown on this two story home in Fort Myers, Florida

The home in the above pictures has a very nice installation of half round copper gutters, round copper downspouts, round copper goose neck elbows, decorative copper gutter and downspout brackets and copper leader heads shown mounted inline on the downspouts directly below the gutters. The copper gutter system has already developed a warm reddish brown patina which blends in beautifully with the clay tile roof and house trim work.

copper gutters half round with radius gutter design and elegant copper roof shown on this Naples, Florida home

The residence in the picture directly above, also has half round copper gutters including a graceful radius or rounded copper gutter curving around the edges of this lovely copper roof positioned above the entryway porch.

copper gutters half round, round copper downspouts and copper balcony railing shown on this southwest Florida residence

copper half round gutters and round copper downspouts with shiny new appearance shown on this west Florida coastal residence

This two story sun washed residence shows some nice closeups of the copper half round gutters and round copper downspouts which are a fairly new installation, as you can tell by the more shiny pure copper gutter and downspout appearance. The bottom picture shows the symmetrical downspouts looking somewhat like a performance car's dual exhausts. A lovely and intricately detailed copper railing can also be seen on the 2nd floor balcony in the top picture.

copper roof on turret conical shape, copper roof deck railing, copper shutters, copper gutters and copper downspouts shown on this SW Florida residence

The house above has an extensive array of elegant copper work including a conical copper roof on top of the distinctive protruding turret to the front right. There is a copper roof deck railing or widow's walk which can be seen on top of the home. There are also copper balcony railings and copper window shades - shutters. And of course there are also round copper gutters and downspouts to coordinate nicely with the other copper work, roof and trim.

seamless gutters K-style aluminum and corrugated downspouts in two-tone color shown on this Fort Myers Florida home

Painted K-Style Gutters and Corrugated Downspout

galvalume half round gutters and round downspouts with decorative brackets shown on this Sarasota, Florida house

Painted Half Round Gutters and Round Downspouts

The two homes in the pictures above show painted gutters and downspouts. The top picture shows painted common K-style gutters with conventional corrugated downspouts, albeit in two-tone brown gutters and white downspouts as specified by the builder. The contrasting bottom picture shows attractively painted galvalume half round gutters and round downspouts, along with decorative gutter hangers and downspout straps which enhance this home's gutter system. Aluminum and galvalume represent two of the lowest priced materials for gutters and downspouts with approximately 30-40 year lifespan providing they have a quality paint coating like Kynar. Galvalume optionally may also be left uncoated with a medium grayish appearance that weathers well and still lasts about 30-40 years. Aluminum oxidizes quickly and should be maintained with a quality coating.

All seamless gutter installations and copper work shown above were performed by the SW Florida Rutland Guttering team. They can install any kind of gutter system including half round, k-style (ogee), box, quarter round and custom styles of gutters. Their downspout options include seamless round, smooth square, round fluted and rectangular corrugated styles. Gutter and downspout material choices include copper, aluminum, galvalume, stainless steel, galvanized steel, zinc and lead-coated or zinc-coated copper (with grayish appearance). They are experienced with any size and scope of residential and commercial guttering projects and architectural copper work. You may visit their website Rutland Guttering - Architectural Copper Work to view additional pictures of their extensive residential and commercial work, also to obtain more information and get contact details. Rutland Guttering provides a comprehensive lifetime warranty on all of their residential gutter system work.

radius copper gutters shown on this scalloped face of this coastal residence

Radiused Copper Rain Gutters

10/7/2010 5:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Friday, September 17, 2010

Copper Wall Decor - Copper Design Interior

Copper has many qualities which make it an ideal interior design material. Copper has a warm, elegant, luxurious appearance and harmonizes especially well with wood, natural stone, glass as well as virtually any material and color. Copper has a timeless quality, not affected by changing styles and fads, remaining desirable and growing ever more beautiful with age. Copper comes in many hues, having many possible shades of natural patina and still more human treatment such as heat-fired and forced patination effects. Copper may also be alloyed with other metals to create even more shades of bronze and brass. In addition to many color variations, copper surfaces may appear with a wide range of textures and finishes, including polished, brushed, pebbled, hammered, quilted, patterns and even integral murals or art work created by copper artisans.

copper wall on interior front wall of St Croix Chapel

Copper Wall - Interior of St. Croix Chapel (courtesy copper.org)

copper wall decor - interior waterfall design with copper tile

Copper Wall Decor - Interior Wall Design Waterfall - by Lee Blackwell Studio

copper wall interior design made by patinating copper to match photograph of grass on farm

copper wall interior design made by patinating copper to match photograph of grass on farm

Copper Wall - Grass Image Patination from Photograph by MarcBDesign

copper wall - interior hammered copper wall design in bar

Copper Wall - Hammered Copper Design Interior

copper kitchen wall design around gas cooking range pictured

Copper Kitchen Wall - by LiLu Interior

copper wall panels - patinated copper sheets with flower design by Luvata

Copper Wall Panel Sheet Design - Patinated Flowers and Bubbles by Luvata
copper wall panels - hammered copper sheets with bubbles design by Luvata

copper wall panels - hammered copper sheets with bubbles design by Luvata

Copper wall decor can be a very elegant, warm and beautiful component of modern interior design. A copper wall can also be an integral part of environmentally friendly green design as copper does not require any coatings or paint, does not give off any toxic or harmful gases, lasts for a very long time, requires little to no maintenance, improves indoor air quality, is 100% recyclable and forever reusable. A copper wall is a very hygienic surface due to copper material's unique natural ability to kill off germs, viruses, mold and pathogens which can spread contagious or infectious disease. Any germs or pathogens which come in contact with the copper wall surface through touch or airborne contact are killed by copper's natural antimicrobial, germicidal and fungicidal action in a very short period of time, even the new super-bugs which are highly resistant to other measures. No other material possesses this uniquely powerful health benefit as does pure copper. Copper wall panels mounted on hard concrete backer board or structural walls may also assist in maintaining more even indoor temperatures. Copper is also one of the best materials available for blocking or shielding against electronic radiation and radio interference such as EMI - electromagnetic interference and RFI - radio frequency interference. Interior designs featuring copper including copper wall decor provide many additional noteworthy and important benefits as discussed here in addition to showcasing the natural beauty and timeless elegance of copper.

copper wall art rock pattern copper decor for interior wall or backsplash

Copper Rock Pattern and Tropical Scene Copper Wall Art by Rutland
copper wall art tropical palm tree design copper decor for interior wall or backsplash

copper wall art tropical palm tree design copper decor for interior wall or backsplash

9/17/2010 4:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Roof Domes

Roof domes are one of the most visually striking and appealing architectural structures around. Domes have been around for thousands of years. Ancient cultures constructed mostly corbel or arched dome dwellings using locally available materials such as mud, clay or adobe. The earliest discovered domed structures may date from around 15,000 to 20,000 years ago in the Ukraine, constructed from mammoth bones and tusks. In ancient times people lived in such domed structures and in more modern times Native Americans constructed wigwams from curved branches and hides and much farther north, igloos from compressed blocks of snow. Pygmies in Africa used mango leaves to cover their similar dome shaped structures. Ancient domes discovered in the Middle East were used for modest structures, such as tombs. The early Romans while constructing smaller domed structures for villas, palaces, baths and tombs also constructed very large, advanced true domes over large interior spaces such as temples and public buildings. True domes are traditionally considered to be a self-supporting hemi-spherical shape structure or roof. Half a hemispherical dome is called a semi-dome and other variations of that are generally called false domes. All of the different types of domes essentially still have a curving or rounded top. Over hundreds of centuries domes have been constructed from a large variety of building materials including mud, clay, stone, brick, wood, concrete, metal, glass and in recent times even plastic. Next we look at some early, historic or notable domed buildings and feature especially those with copper roof domes.

Pantheon with roof dome in Rome, Italy pictured

Pantheon - Rome, Italy
(photo credits: courtesy of uncp.edu/home/rwb/lecture_med_civ.htm)

While much earlier domed structures have been discovered as noted above, the Pantheon in Rome, Italy was one of the earliest buildings with a large roof dome, that is still in existence today, situated above ground and structurally stable. The Pantheon is considered by many to be the grandest dome in existence and still nearly as magnificent today as when it was constructed 19 centuries ago. The Pantheon at 142 feet - 43.3 meters inside diameter and height, was the largest dome ever built for about 1700 years and is still the world's largest un-reinforced concrete dome in existence. The Pantheon, originally built in 27 BC, was destroyed in both 80 AD and 110 AD and rebuilt both times. From it's last completion in 126 AD it still stands today as a monument to grand architecture. The Pantheon's concrete dome used to be covered with copper plates which in turn were finished with copper or bronze tile. The Pantheon, originally a pagan temple to all the Roman Gods, was taken over by the Catholic Church and consecrated by Pope Boniface IVI in 609 AD as a church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs and informally known as Santa Maria Rotunda. The beautiful copper tiles adorning the dome's exterior were stripped off and stolen by Constans II in 663 AD to be carted back to Constantinople. Then almost a thousand years later, Pope Urban VIII had the original copper plating removed, yielding about 200 tons of copper sheets and 4 tons of copper nails, which were subsequently used mostly to construct cannon or bombards and remaining for assorted church projects. Large amounts of fine marble on the Pantheon's exterior were also unfortunately removed and used elsewhere over the centuries.

Florence Cathedral II Duomo with roof domes in Florence, Italy pictured

Florence Cathedral - II Duomo - Florence, Italy
(photo credits: MarcusObal - CCbySA, courtesy en.wikipedia.org)

The largest roof dome built in Western Europe since the Pantheon is Brunelleschi's octagonal brick roof dome for the Florence Cathedral or II Duomo in Florence, Italy, completed in 1436. This double dome, with seperate inside and outside shells, is still the largest masonry dome ever built, constructed with bricks and mortar, 42 feet from face to face. Duomo of Florence has eight vertical stone ribs with red tile roofing in between. Slightly smaller in diameter than the Pantheon and Florence Cathedral is the dome at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Italy. This double walled dome with inner hemispherical dome and outer vertically ovoid shaped dome, was completed in 1590 and remains today the tallest dome in the world, rising to a total height of about 452 feet from the ground. The drum or base of the dome alone is over 65 feet tall rising to 240 feet from the ground. The style which St. Peter's Basilica introduced became known as Baroque architecture and had a large influence on subsequent designs and buildings. St Peter's Basilica influenced other famous domed buildings, including St. Paul's Cathedral in London, which in turn heavily influenced the United States Capitol Building dome, which similarly inspired many subsequent state capitol domed roof buildings. Mounting a cupola or lantern on top of the dome became popular in medieval times to admit light, provide venting and also serve as added visual interest on both the outside and inside.

St. Peter's Basilica with roof dome in Vatican City, Rome, Italy pictured

St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City - Rome, Italy
(photo credits: Wolfgang Stuck, courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org)

Modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of St. Josaphat shown below is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin landmark, featuring one of the largest copper dome roofs in the world and is also listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Another Basilica, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Brussels, Belgium had it's initial construction begin in 1905, then was interrupted by two world wars and was not completed until 1969. This church with it's sturdy brick and concrete reinforced structure, features a large copper roof dome and two slender towers with smaller copper roof domes. A landmark in the Brussels skyline, the apex of it's green patinated copper dome roof rises up to 292 feet - 89 meters above the ground.

Basilica of St. Josaphat with large copper roof dome in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA pictured here

Basilica of St. Josaphat - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(photo credits: Sulfur - CCbySA, courtesy en.wikipedia.com)

Basilica of the Sacred Heart with large copper roof domes in Brussels, Belgium pictured here

Basilica of the Sacred Heart - Brussels, Belgium

(Markus Koljonen - CCbySA, courtesy commons.wikimedia.org)

For thousands of years, architects have designed domes made from a wide variety of materials and colors. No other style of roof creates such a feeling of openness, spaciousness and attractiveness. Copper has been the metal most frequently specified by architects. Copper domes make a most memorable and visually arresting statement in any building design, whether it is governmental, religious, commercial, residential, cultural, industrial or institutional. Copper roof domes add an unsurpassed air of richness, sophistication and natural beauty, while also providing more than a century or even centuries of durability along with very low required maintenance. A sampling of buildings with copper dome roofs from around the world continues below.

Berliner Dom Am Lustgarten with large copper roof dome in Berlin, Germany pictured here

Berliner Dom Am Lustgarten - Berlin, Germany

(photo credits: Von Schrader Bernd, courtesy fotocommunity.de)

Opera Garnier with large ornate copper roof dome in Paris, France pictured here

Opera Garnier - Paris, France

(photo credits: courtesy wikimediacommons)
Perth Museum and Art Gallery with large copper roof dome in Pert, Scotland UK pictured here

Perth Museum and Gallery - Perth, Scotland

(photo credits: Paul McIlroy - CCbySA, courtesy geograph.org.uk)

Waterfront Hall with very large copper saucer roof dome in Belfast, Ireland pictured here

Waterfront Hall - Belfast, Ireland (large copper saucer dome)

(photo credit: Architect Robinson and McIlwaine, courtesy copperinfo.co.uk)

Macon Auditorium with world's largest true copper roof dome in Macon, Georgia USA pictured here

Macon Auditorium with world's largest true copper roof dome in Macon, Georgia USA pictured here

Macon Auditorium - Macon, Georgia (largest true copper dome)

(photo credit: Architect Robinson and McIlwaine, courtesy copperinfo.co.uk)

While domes have historically been seen on government capitols, courthouses, churches, temples, museums, auditoriums and stadiums, roof domes have also found favor on many types of commercial buildings including hotels, resorts, pavilions and farm structures and ever increasingly in residential architecture as well. Roof domes continue to be featured and incorporated into modern architectural design as dome roofing provides both functional and visual benefits. Roof domes provide a feeling of spaciousness, allow high sculpted ceilings and a distinct feeling of sophistication, elegance and luxury. Dome roofs will elevate and distinguish a building's appearance and directly increase it's value as well. Many different styles of roof domes can readily be adapted and incorporated into modern homes and commercial properties of quality and distinction.

The Rainbow Torquay with copper roof domes in Torquay, Devon Great Britain UK pictured here

The Rainbow Hotel Domes - Torquay, Devon UK

(photo credits: Derek Harper, CC-by-SA courtesy of geograph.org.uk)

Copper roof dome residential from late 1800's home in Logansport, Indiana USA pictured

Late 1800's Dome Roof Home - Logansport, Indiana

(photo credits: labontebuddy43, courtesy esperanto.wunderground.com)

Rancho Adolfo Camarillo Gazebo with large copper roof dome salvaged from Mary Magdaline Church pictured here

Rancho Adolfo Camarillo - Gazebo Copper Roof Dome
(Salvaged from Mary Magdaline Church)
(photo credits: CA1S.org, courtesy pbase.com)

Copper roof domes, copper dormer and copper flashing on residential construction pictured here

Residential Copper: Dome Roofs, Dormer Vents, Flashing

(photo credits: Union Jobs Clearinghouse, unionjobs.com)

Polygonal copper roof dome - domical vault with copper roof cupola in new architecture being installed by Rutland Architectural Copper pictured here

Copper Dome Roof - Domical Vault - Rutland Construction

Sandals Resort with copper roof domes in the Caribbean with roof dome done by Rutland Architectural Copper pictured here

Sandals Resort Caribbean - Dome Roof Work by Rutland

Copper roof dome on residential home being constructed on waterway by Rutland Architectural Copper Work pictured here

Residential Copper Dome Roof - Construction by Rutland

Hexagonal copper roof dome with custom diamond copper roof tile being constructed by Rutland Architectural Copper Work pictured here

Copper Dome - Hexagonal - Under Construction - Rutland
Hemispherical roof dome frame construction with plywood sheathing shown before copper roof tile are attached by Rutland Architectural Copper pictured here

Hemispherical roof dome frame construction with plywood sheathing shown before copper roof tile are attached by Rutland Architectural Copper pictured here

Frame Construction for Copper Tile Dome Roof - Rutland
Copper roof dome polygonal style with copper pineapple finial on top constructed by Rutland Architectural Copper Work pictured here

Copper roof dome polygonal style with copper pineapple finial on top constructed by Rutland Architectural Copper Work pictured here

Copper Polygonal Roof Dome - Pineapple Finial - Rutland

Large copper roof dome, pyramidal copper roof turret and conical copper roof tower on spectacular residential estate home constructed by Rutland Architectural Copper Work pictured here

Conical Roof - Large Copper Dome Roof - Pyramidal Roof
(all constructed by Rutland Architectural Copper Work Craftsmen)

Rutland Architectural Copper will custom build or fabricate any style of metal roof dome, including hemispherical domes, semi-domes, arched domes, corbel domes, polygonal domes, octagonal domes, hexagonal domes, ovoid or oval domes, saucer domes and other dome variations to architect's, builder's and customer's specifications. Rutland fabricates roof domes from heavy weight copper panels, custom copper tile and copper sheets. When a copper tile roof dome is desired, Rutland will construct sturdy framing including a layer of waterproof membrane over the sheathing. Rutland can custom build roof domes from a variety of metals including pure or coated copper and produce polished, very strong TIG welded joints or seams for a very attractive seamless look. Rutland also fabricates ancillary roof dome accessories such as cupolas, finials and vents. Copper is the ideal metal for roof domes and other architectural metal structures due to copper metal's excellent workability, very long life, durability, natural corrosion resistance, weatherability, environmentally friendly, recyclability, green building material, sustainability, natural beauty and timeless elegance. Rutland Roof Domes

9/8/2010 3:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

European Copper In Architecture Awards

The European Copper in Architecture Awards are biennial awards which recognize excellence in design for European architectural projects incorporating copper roofing, copper wall cladding and other copper architectural design elements. The 15th iteration of the awards will officially be launched in September 2010 for architectural projects completed between April 2009 and May 2011 with the judging and presentation of awards occurring in 2011. The previously concluded 14th European Copper in Architecture Award competition celebrated the use of copper in architecture in all of it's forms and selected the best in contemporary copper architecture from across Europe. Some of the European Copper In Architecture award winners are described and shown below.

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner street view pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner courtyard view one pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner courtyard view two pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner corner view pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria, Spain -Overall Award Winner
(photo credits www.copperconcept.org and www.copperinfo.co.uk)

The Archeology Museum in Vitoria, Spain was overall European Copper in Architecture Award 14 winner. The Archaeology museum shares a courtyard with the historic Palace of Bendana. The building facade is comprised extensively of copper alloy cast bronze and glass. The effect has been characterized as an ageless fortress in an urban setting which reveals more of itself as you enter the courtyard. The architects of the project Mangado y Asociados S L describe the building as "a compact jewel box concealing the treasures that history has entrusted to us".

Mediacomplex 22@ Barcelona,Spain is highly commended European Copper In Architecture Award winner pictured here

Mediacomplex 22@ Barcelona,Spain is highly commended European Copper In Architecture Award design winner tower view pictured here

Mediaplex Complex 22@, Barcelona, Spain
(photo credits Alejo Bagué, courtesy www.copperinfo.co.uk)

The Mediaplex Complex 22@ in Barcelon, Spain was a highly commended award winner and is comprised of two contrasting main elements. The factory is a horizontal block adjoining a 19th century factory building and is comprised of smooth, opaque, perforated panels of copper. The tower utilizes copper faced screens over it's vertical grid of glazing providing shade. Both architectural elements make extensive use of copper, use copper as a unifying material and share common proportions.

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark a European Copper In Architecture Commended Design Award winner pictured here

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark a European Copper In Architecture Commended Design Award winner side view pictured here

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark
(photo credits www.copperconcept.org and www.copperinfo.co.uk)

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark was a commended award winner and is a residential project of 152 light, airy and spacious owner occupied apartments or condos located directly on the harbor. The architect who see the building akin to a luxury ocean liner docked at port, used materials with a nautical heritage including textured and smooth copper, hardwood windows and glass in a thoroughly modern design. The beautifully detailed but understated copper cladding provides solidity in concert with the concrete frame and blends well into the nearby commercial area.

8/29/2010 12:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Copper Architecture Awards

Each year the North American Copper in Architecture Awards acknowledges and spotlights selected North American building projects for innovative and exceptional use of architectural copper. The architectural copper awards program highlights a wide scope of projects which highlight craftsmanship, attention to detail, and architectural vision. Copper has historically long been used for its great natural beauty and finish, it's durability and performance, copper's long service life and recyclability. Copper is still today a superior building material and also one of most eco-friendly and green building materials, which is being utilized and adapted for an ever wider variety of contemporary and cutting edge building and architectural applications. Three of the twelve copper in architecture award winners are described and shown below.

Waipolu Gallery and Studio,Oahu,Hawaii with copper wall cladding and copper roofing pictured here
Waipolu Gallery and Studio, winner of North American Copper in Architecture award pictured here
Waipolu Gallery and Studio, Oahu, Hawaii
(photo credits Nic Lehoux, Vancouver, BC - Courtesy Copper.org)

The Waipolu Gallery above uses copper wall cladding and copper roofing which were chosen for this project as copper will perform well over a very long time and with very little maintenance in a very corrosive ocean side location. Copper's beauty and fluidity compliment the modern art contained within the structure. The copper provides a softer contrast to the other more linear materials used. Excellent workability or malleability of copper was advantageous allowing easy re-working or shaping on site. The building architects also like there will be changes in copper's patina or color over time, producing an ever evolving work of art. The studio with it's stainless steel, glass and concrete linear space is joined by a floating glass bridge to the copper clad gallery. The glass bridge rises above a limestone staircase which connects the building's three levels.

Mark Olsen Project,Holladay,Utah with copper roofing, copper gutters, downspouts, conductor heads and copper finials pictured here

copper gutters and downspouts with copper conductor heads, copper finials and copper diamond shaped roof tile shown with copper patina pictured here

Mark Olsen Project, a residential winner of North American Copper in Architecture award pictured here

Mark Olsen Residential Project, Holladay, Utah
(photo credits David Daniels of David Photography - Courtesy Copper.org)

The Mark Olsen Project exhibits excellent old world craftsmanship, with a copper roof and other architectural copper features such as copper finials, copper gutters and ornamental downspouts with copper conductor heads, copper crown molding, fascia and soffit, copper chimney top shroud and extended copper window box. This stately home has exquisite detailing and exudes quiet elegance from it's naturally weathered copper features. 16,000 pounds worth of hand crafted architectural copper work are used for this home's architecture. The copper roof is comprised of diamond shaped interlocking copper shingles, copper ridge vents and flashing. Of note, no sealants were used, only traditional craftsmanship and installation techniques were employed along with some soldering work on the copper gutters providing very long term durability with little to no maintenance required.

closeup of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina copper arches, copper spire and copper finials pictured here

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina side view with copper arches, copper spire, copper cross, copper finials and stone veneer tower pictured here

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina front view with it's stone veneer tower, copper arches, copper spire, gold leaf copper cross and copper finials pictured here

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Charleston, SC
(photo credits Steven of the Churches of Charleston Project
& Jeni Rone of Sea Star - Courtesy Copper.org)

One hundred fifty years in the making, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina has at long last been restored after being completely destroyed by fire in 1861. A soaring neo-gothic style copper spire, which had long been planned, was finally realized this past spring. The stunning beauty of the copper spire with it's gold leaf finished copper cross can be seen across the Charleston skyline and out to Sullivan Island. The cathedral's tower was finished with a stone veneer and at it's top there are four copper clad archways with copper torch finials. The copper spire with gold-leaf copper cross finial is perched on top at center of the copper arches. The 200 square feet of gold leaf which covers the cross will last at least 40 years without touch-up while the crowning copper art work comprised of arches, finials, spire and cross at the peak of the cathedral will last and stay beautiful for generations to come.