Ask Joe Zappone, owner of Spokane, Wash.-based Zappone Manufacturing LLC, how the recent recession impacted his business, and he’ll be frank. “It hurt. Production didn’t grind to a halt, of course, but we had to tighten our belts, weather the storm,” he explains, repeating a not uncommon sentiment of businesses during a struggling economy. “But we aren’t going anywhere. Copper is king.”
Indeed, copper is admired by architects and designers for its durability, sustainability, corrosion resistance and dynamic appearance. As a preferred roofing material, copper isn’t going anywhere.
“A properly installed copper roofing system will last centuries,” says Zappone. “I’ve seen copper roofs in Europe that date to the 13th century.” The long life of a copper roof makes it a model choice for the designer or consumer interested in sustainable design. It is nearly 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without any loss of quality.
Copper’s most well known characteristic is its distinctive, alluring and dynamic appearance. Initially, a copper roofing system displays a bright metallic color, denoting nobility and unmatched quality. Copper quickly weathers to parade hues of purple, yellow and dark blue, then naturally ages to iridescent brown and dark chocolate to near black, before finishing as a green patina.
To leverage the natural benefits of copper, Zappone manufactures a four-way interlocking, solid (99.96 percent) shingle that provides a watertight permanent barrier to the elements. Instead of relying on clips like other metal roofing systems, the Zappone shingle is nailed directly to the deck. Proper expansion and contraction is achieved by the unique four-way interlocking design. The shadow cup places 70 percent of the surface squarely on the deck, permitting foot traffic for easy care and maintenance.
Zappone’s shingle is available in 12-ounce (12 ounces per square foot of surface), high-tensile strength copper as well as standard 16-ounce copper. The 12-ounce shingle is lighter, more malleable and less expensive as there is less copper per square foot; yet has a comparable life expectancy.
The unique design of Zappone’s shingle allows it to be specified and utilized on virtually every form or shape an architect may desire. Curves, geodesic domes and artistic statements such as diagonals and triangles are easily achieved with the Zappone system. Additionally, steeples and turrets benefit from Zappone’s smaller accent shingle, a half-sized shingle for visual interest and waste reduction. A designer can incorporate the smaller shingle into interior design projects, such as interior walls, backdrops for water features, and as decorative accents in restaurants and upscale lounges.
Working with copper and installing a shingle roofing system requires the right tools and materials. Zappone copper shingles call for either silicon-bronze, true copper or stainless steel nails. Aluminum or steel nails will cause corrosion. If an ice and water shield is required, high-temperature underlayment should be used.
The staff at Zappone works closely with architects, designers, contractors and customers to ensure that all specifications of the design are met from inception to completion. Zappone’s 40 years of experience in copper can provide answers and solutions to any and all material needs and installation difficulties, thus safeguarding a quality outcome for each project.
Anyone who has a reasonable knowledge of tools can successfully install a Zappone roofing system. “We’ve had homeowners install our roofs with no problem,” says Zappone. “Although, with larger jobs we recommend a professional.”
Just like his shingles, Zappone’s business has weathered an unpredictable storm. But with the economy showing signs of improving, it’s business as usual-making a solid shingle.
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Jeff Zappone is director of marketing for Zappone Manufacturing LLC, Spokane, Wash. For more information, visit www.zappone.com.