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Copper roofs do get hot under the sun. Any metal roof heats up in direct sunlight, and copper is no exception. On a summer day, the surface temperature of copper roofing can climb over 150°F. That number alone makes people wonder: does this make the inside of the house hotter? Is copper worse than asphalt shingles or other roofing materials? Let’s break this down.

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How Hot Does Copper Roofing Get in Summer?

On a sunny afternoon, the surface of a bare copper roof typically reaches 140°F to 190°F (60–88°C). The exact temperature depends on:

• Outdoor air temperature

• Directness of sunlight

• Angle of the roof slope

• Local climate conditions

That’s not wildly different from other roofing materials. Asphalt shingles in dark colors often run just as hot or hotter. What’s important is that copper reflects a bit more sunlight than shingles, especially when it’s still new and shiny.

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Do Copper Roofs Make Houses Hotter Inside?

Not necessarily. The key factor isn’t the metal itself, but how the roof assembly is built. Copper conducts heat well, but it also cools off quickly once the sun sets. The real buffer is in the ventilation, insulation, and underlayment.

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If a copper roof is installed over a well-ventilated attic with solid insulation, the interior temperature won’t rise much compared to other roofs. In fact, some studies show that metal roofs can keep attics cooler than asphalt shingles because of better reflectivity.

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Copper Roof Heat vs Asphalt Shingles

Homeowners often compare copper to asphalt because shingles are so common. Here’s the difference:

• Asphalt shingles absorb and retain heat. Dark shingles can get hotter than copper and hold that heat well into the evening.

• Copper roofing heats quickly but releases heat quickly. Once the sun goes down, the copper surface cools fast.

So while both get hot during the day, copper is less likely to keep radiating heat hours after sunset.

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Copper Roof vs Other Metal Roofs: Heat Comparison

• Aluminum roofing: Higher reflectivity than copper, so it may stay cooler under direct sunlight. But aluminum panels are thinner and can transfer heat more quickly if not insulated properly.

• Steel roofing: Similar to copper in performance. Coatings and colors matter more than the base metal.

• Tile or slate: These materials absorb heat and release it slowly. Copper may run hotter in the moment, but tile and slate can hold heat longer.

 

Does the Green Patina on Copper Roofs Affect Heat?

Yes, a little. Fresh copper is bright and reflective. Over time, it darkens and eventually develops the familiar green patina. That patina lowers reflectivity, meaning the surface absorbs more solar energy.

So an aged copper roof can be slightly hotter at peak sun compared to new copper. Still, the difference is minor compared to the effect of attic insulation or radiant barriers.

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How to Prevent Copper Roof Heat From Becoming a Problem

If you’re worried about heat transfer, the solutions are the same ones used for any roofing material:

1. Install proper attic ventilation so hot air escapes instead of building up.

2. Use adequate insulation in ceilings and attics to slow heat transfer.

3. Choose the right underlayment, including reflective or radiant barrier options.

4. Consider pre-finished copper roofing panels with higher reflectance to lower peak surface temps.

 

Common Myths About Copper Roofs and Heat

• “Copper roofs make houses unbearably hot.”
  False. With proper insulation, interior temperatures stay stable.

• “Copper gets hotter than all other roofing materials.”
  Not true. Asphalt shingles often reach similar or higher surface temperatures.

• “The patina makes copper roofs cooler.”
  Incorrect. The patina darkens copper, reducing reflectivity, so it actually absorbs more sunlight.

 

Mistakes People Make With Copper Roof Installations

• Forgetting attic ventilation, which traps heat inside.

• Using minimal insulation and then blaming the copper roof for indoor heat.

• Ignoring how roof color and finish impact solar absorption.

• Assuming copper alone will solve or cause heat issues, when in reality the roof system design is the deciding factor.

 

What Happens if Copper Roof Heat Isn’t Managed?

If a copper roof is installed without proper thermal planning, you may run into:

• Higher energy bills from air conditioning.

• Hotter attics, which stress HVAC systems stored up there.

• Shorter lifespan for attic materials or roof decking.

• Comfort issues in second-story rooms.

These issues happen with any roofing material that gets hot. Copper is no different.

 

Why People Still Choose Copper Roofing Despite the Heat

Even though copper roofs heat up, they remain a premium choice because of their advantages:

• They last 60 to 100 years or more.

• Copper naturally resists corrosion thanks to the patina.

• Lightweight compared to slate or tile, putting less load on the structure.

• They cool off quickly in the evening, lowering nighttime attic temperatures compared to asphalt shingles.

 

Final Answer: Do Copper Roofs Get Hot?

Yes, copper roofs get hot in the sun. They reach temperatures similar to other roofing materials, sometimes lower, sometimes higher depending on conditions. What really determines indoor comfort is the ventilation, insulation, and assembly design beneath the copper panels.

If those elements are handled correctly, the fact that copper surfaces heat up to 180°F won’t matter much at all inside your home.