| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----Architect needs Copper Gutters that won't stain stone
Q. Our owner is looking into having copper gutters installed on his new home. Unfortunately, this cannot be an option if the gutters are going to stain stone. He is having intricate stone work done around his windows and also as a patio. Staining from the copper gutters is not an option. He has been hearing that there may be something out there that can treat the copper gutters so that staining does not happen. Is this a possibility and how well does this work if it does in fact exist? I appreciate all your time and effort in replying as he needs to make a final decision soon. Thank you.
Holly Cessna- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
2003
A. To my eyes there is no architectural finish as attractive as aged green copper, Holly:
But there is almost nothing as green as the concrete and stone downstream of them :-)
Although I don't really know the answer to your question, my follow-up would be to ask whether you are looking to preserve the original orange copper look or allow it to fade to green. If you intend to keep it orange, you need to clearcoat it anyway; if you want it to turn green, I am having trouble seeing how to do that without allowing the atmosphere to work on the raw copper and make green and partially soluble copper salts. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2003
Q. I have a client that has extensive copper work and it has stained the concrete. What can I do to clean and seal the concrete and/or seal the copper?
Joseph Rogovichsmall bus. owner - Monterey, California, USA
December 18, 2008
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.