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Historic Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
The Historic Significance and Utilization of Copper Roofs
Copper has been prized as a roofing material by architects for hundreds of years. Once copper changes color from brass to its prestigious green patina — think of the Statue of Liberty — it actually becomes more durable. The oxide-sulfate coating on the outer surface of copper makes it especially resistant to corrosion in most environments. Tests were conducted on 18th century copper roofs in Europe and the tests found that copper roofing can last approximately 1,000 years (at least in theory).
A dome-shaped roof is an architectural style that has been around for thousands of years. One of the most important Buddhist sites in India, the Great Stupa at Sanchi, was built in the 3rd century B.C.E. The dome structure is incredibly durable as well, as its shape lends itself to wind resistance. Dome homes are popping up along the Gulf and East coast in hurricane zones as a defense against the damage those storms can deliver.
In other words, dome-shaped roofs and copper domes are an enduring form of architecture sure to be around for a long time. Here is a closer look at some old and new copper domes and roofs around the world.
Berlin Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom)
While it is not a cathedral in the technical sense (a bishop has never been seated there), the Berlin Cathedral Church, or Berliner Dom, is one of the most majestic buildings in Germany. On a site continually occupied by a church since 1465, the current building was completed in 1905. Built in an ornate Renaissance style after St. Peter’s in Rome, it has five copper domes and several copper statues, all of which are a beautiful patina green. The Berlin Cathedral underwent extensive restoration after World War II. It can be visited on Museum Island in the Mitte borough.
Macon City Auditorium
The Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia is actually the largest copper-domed roof in the world. It was completed in 1925 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The circular assembly hall is approximately the same size as the Pantheon in Rome, making it a truly incredible structure. A beautiful mural inside the auditorium captures four centuries of history of the Macon area. Today, it’s a busy cultural center, hosting music, theater and other events for local residents and tourists.
Wales Millenium Centre
The dome on the Wales Millenium Centre is actually constructed from steel. The architect wanted the dome to maintain its bronze color throughout its lifespan, so he went with steel that had been treated with copper oxide. The Millenium Centre is an arts center with a main concert hall and two smaller halls which house restaurants and shops. The entire Centre covers 4.7 acres in Cardiff, Wales.
The Rotunda at UVA
The Rotunda at the University of Virginia was designed by Thomas Jefferson. It has a 77-foot domed copper roof and Jefferson designed it to represent “the authority of nature and the power of reason.” The Rotunda’s construction began in 1822 but was not completed until shortly after Jefferson’s death in 1826. Jefferson toyed with the idea of designing the interior of the Rotunda dome as the first planetarium in the United States, but that idea was abandoned.
Temppeliaukio Kirkko, The Helsinki Rock Church
It is difficult to even find words to describe the Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Church of the Rock, located in Helsinki, Finland. The church was literally carved out of solid rock. A skylight framework holds up the massive copper dome roof. Due to the rock walls and the copper dome, the acoustics provided are incredible and the church is often used for musical performances. The Temppeliaukio Church is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Finland. Its construction had to be completed in stages over several decades due to the interruption of World War II. When you consider this unique building and its dome, think about this: The design was actually scaled back to one-fourth of its original planned size!
Belvedere Palace, Vienna
The copper roof of the Belvedere Palace in Vienna has been in place for some 300 years now, which once again speaks to the durability of copper as a roofing material. It was built in the early 1700s as the palace for the ruling Habsburg Dynasty. The Belvedere Palace has a copper roof that includes four copper domes at each of the roof’s corners.
The Academic Building – Texas A&M University
The Main Building at Texas A&M, known as “Old Main,” burned down in 1912 and was replaced with the Academic Building which still stands today. Inside the building you’ll find a replica of the Liberty Bell. On the outside, the most noticeable feature is, of course, the patina-green dome. The dome of the Academic Building actually features in one of the most time-honored traditions at Texas A&M. A ceremony is held to pay tribute to a passing current student in which a variation of Taps, called Silver Taps, is played from the dome.
Nevada Supreme Court Building Copper Dome, Las Vegas
Prestige Roofing is proud to have built the new copper dome for the Nevada Supreme Court Building in 2016. To add dignity and grandeur to the copper dome atop this important seat of justice for Nevada, the shiny new dome was finished to a protective green patina with a treatment that accelerates the oxidation process that otherwise occurs naturally over time. Prestige is proud to think that Nevadans will be able to enjoy the classic beauty of this dome for many years to come.
Prestige Roofing specializes in quality copper roofing, as well as a range of quality new roof and roof restoration services. Contact us for help with your roofing needs.
Prestige Roofing’s work ranges from service and repair work, re-roofing and new construction work, commercial and residential work. They have also done work for ultra-custom projects around the Las Vegas Valley.
A well-designed copper roof adds a special beauty to any building. Copper roofing and fixtures represent one of the best investments you can make whether you’re looking to improve the resale value of your home, add more glamour to your place of business, or give any structure real eye catching appeal.
Copper Cornices
than ordinary gutters and downspouts. They add an attractive look to the exterior walls 
Prestige Roofing specializes in providing custom copper roofing for clients in Southern Nevada and nearby locations, including communities in Arizona and Utah. Our highly skilled copper artists prepare custom designed copper panels and fixtures in our advanced sheet metal facility. Our most recent public project was fabricating and installing the 
Prestige Roofing has delivered and mounted the new cupola, an inspired copper dome design, commissioned to grace the roof of the new Nevada Supreme Court building in downtown Las Vegas. The classic design of this new state building that will serve the people of Nevada’s as its highest court is perfectly complemented by the cupola whose classic look recreates the dignity of famous buildings worldwide. The Prestige team is proud to have participated in building and delivering the dome. We’d like to share some of the images as it happened.
patina was achieved with an acid mixture that accelerates the normal oxidation process that results in the changing coloration. Left to itself in the dry desert air, the dome would have turned a “dirty penny” brown patina, while the more attractive and recognized aged copper green patina, which needs moisture from the surrounding air to form, happens most quickly in coastal areas. With a little help from us, the dome was able to achieve that natural effect and present itself from the start in its most beautiful colors.
Once the dome, or 
Prestige had already completed the flat membrane roof on top of the building where the cupola would be installed. Each quarter of the 
The entire copper cupola project took several months and put our sheet metal talents, experience with roof 
Copper is a popular choice for quality roofing, gutters, and downspouts, as well as roofing fixtures and decorative elements on walls, entryways and basically anywhere it adds a design element. This beautiful metal is both lightweight and malleable, making it an excellent choice for custom residential and commercial projects. A copper roof can last up to 100 years, which makes it far more durable than most other roofing choices. 
The process occurs like this: As the metal is exposed to the air, it begins to oxidize and a thin layer of corrosion forms. This layer, known as a patina, is incredibly thin. As the years pass and the roof ages, the patina will thicken and change colors. Colors often include shades of copper, green, dark brown, and turquoise. Eventually, the roof will even out to a brilliant green. 
A patina commonly has an uneven appearance. 
