Slate Roof Central - One Way To Install Copper Snow Aprons

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One Way To Install

Copper Snow Aprons

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - Victorian house with asphalt drip edge

Old box gutters were removed from this roof perhaps 20 years ago and covered over with asphalt shingles, now crumbling. The PA black slate on the remaining roof, however, is still quite good, despite the installation year of 1878.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - exposing the roof deck

Above: Crumbling asphalt shingles are removed to expose plywood underlayment. The roof now has some plywood decking and two different slopes, which complicates matters.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - 20 ounce copper drip edge

Above: Shop fabricated 20 ounce copper drip edge.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - drip edge being installed

Above: drip edge being installed, nailed through plywood to roof framing underneath..

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - valley cleat

Above: Note that we installed a 2x4 at the top of the plywood by nailing it directly to the roof sheathing with 16 penny nails. This allows us to cleat the standing seam pans to the 2x4 rather than the plywood. It also lifts the pans off the plywood, eliminating the need for rosin paper. The 2x4 acts as a bridge to support the back of the 36" long standing seam pans. Every situation is different and sometimes some creative thinking is necessary to get things to work. This technique worked well for us here, but may not work elsewhere. Note that we did not use any underlayment under these pans. We're certain they will not leak. Note that the valley copper is fitted with long cleats that are riveted and soldered to each side. This allows us to attach our standing seam pan to the valley.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - second valley cleat

Above: Pan is attached to right side of valley by clamping to valley cleat. Left valley cleat is soldered in place and ready for left pan. The pans are fabricated from 24"x36" 20 ounce partially hardened copper. The valley section is 24"x48". The pans are done in the standard double lock standing seam style with a 3/4 inch fold at the bottom of the pan to allow for clamping onto the drip edge. There is a 1/2" fold at the top to allow for cleats. The sides are also cleated. See below or refer to the SMACNA manual for details.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - Standing Seam double lock joint

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - standing seams being locked together

Above: The standing seams are double locked.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - standing seam apron installed

Above: The 20 ounce, partially hardened copper is very rigid and durable. The finished job should last the lifetime of the roof owners.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - installing standing seam where two valleys meet

Above: Here's where the fun starts. We have two valleys meeting at a point with a gable *and* a hip juncture at one side of an octagonal dormer. We lock-seamed and soldered a custom-made 20 ounce copper piece at the bottom of the two valleys. This single piece, made up of 6 individual pieces soldered together, clamped at the bottom over the fabricated drip edge. Then...

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - installing standing seam on octagon dormer

Above: ....we finished the right edge with a standing seam fold, and continued our standing seam panels around the octagonal dormer. Each hip on this dormer had to have two standing seam panels custom made (one on each side of the hip) with both an angle cut to align with the hip and a standing seam on the hip at the angled edge.

Copper Snow Aprons at slate roof central - custom lock-seam soldered piece