Durable Roofs and Facades
Metal products
Copper in architecture: a tradition reinvented
Construction, jewellery, sculpture, electrotechnology are all making use of copper. It is the third most widely used metal in the world after aluminium and iron. People have discovered beneficial qualities of copper a long time ago; it is known that legendary traveller Christopher Columbus specifically chose copper plates to protect his vessels against algae. The notorious icon of America, the Statue of Freedom, is also made of copper. Being durable, easy to process, unusually economical and greatly compatible with other construction materials, copper is used there with much success for centuries. That is evidenced not only by 16th and 17th century masterpieces of architecture with copper-clad roofs, but by exciting modern buildings as well.
Non-ferrous metals from all of Europe
A company “Varitus” is engaged in wholesale and retail trade in copper, zinc, aluminium and stainless steel. Non-ferrous metals and their products used in construction, manufacturing industry, car and food industries. The company offers a wide range of roof and façade systems, copper, titanium zinc, aluminium, brass tin rolls as well as rainwater harvesting systems from copper, titanium zinc, stainless steel, aluminium and their accessories. It can also offer tinsmith tools, tin machines – profiling, bending machines, small forming machines. The offered materials and products are attractive due to their quality and time-tested durability.
The company is cooperating with various European producers, rather than a single supplier, to be able to offer practical and good-quality materials for its clients. The company represents Czech, German and Italian producers. Qualified personnel with a long-term experience in working with such materials are always able to offer professional-level consultations, assist in solving problems and are always eager to offer solutions aimed at achieving full customer satisfaction. Offered products have already adorned a number of well-known objects in Lithuania. UAB “Varitus” tin was used for the roofing of the Royal Palace and in the recent renovation of the Saint Anne’s Church. The roof of “Novotel Lietuva” hotel is covered with zinc tin.
Why to choose copper?
Copper is an extraordinarily soft and durable material, requiring no extra surfacing. Low mass of roof cover has a positive influence on static qualities of an object. Roof span, which is expensive to construct, is therefore not required.Copper roofing is resistant to extreme meteorological conditions and is suitable for use in mountainous areas and northern countries where adverse climate conditions are common. Due to its inherent qualities copper is used in restoration of historical and memorial constructions of high importance. Copper is a justifiable investment with a warranty period of 130 years. Copper is completely corrosion- resistant, therefore no further investment for roofing will be needed. It is even true that copper is among the most cost-effective materials for roofing and façade cladding. When a uniform view of a façade in terms of colour and materials is desirable, copper rainwater harvesting system is also an option. Standard elements apart, the system may include additional original elements of roof cladding, all of them being as durable as the roofing itself.The rainwater harvesting system may be an ornamental item of the building due to its colour and give individuality and attractiveness.
Natural corrosion protection
Coppers requires no extra surfacing and that makes it stand out among the rest of construction materials. Specific qualities of the material ensure protection against adverse environmental effects. When copper is affected by atmospheric conditions, a protective layer is formed on its surface. It provides protection against corrosion by separating the metal from aggressive environment.
The protective layer formation rate depends on the location of the building and climatic conditions. The more aggressive the environment, the quicker is the formation of the protective layer. The transformation process begins as soon as the roofing, façade cladding or rainwater harvesting system installation works are complete. It finishes after the protective layer is fully formed. During the process the colour of copper becomes more natural brown. This colour tint is decorative and valued among architects as the means to make austere exteriors of modern architecture more vivid and natural. Surface cover on the centuries-old roofs is a significant proof of durability of copper.
Wide range of copper applications
Rolled copper products offered by “Varitus” are suitable for cladding of flat and inclined constructions (with a minimum tilt of 7 degrees). Even smaller gradient is acceptable in certain conditions. A roofing “Cuprila” is specifically durable therefore it can be overlaid on tilted construction grids with a minimum gradient of 10 degrees and 30 degrees in mountain areas. Form of a roof must ensure a steady precipitation flow of the roof to the rainwater pipe and sufficient scavenge of the space over the roof in order to avoid accumulation of humidity. Additional copper elements of standard measurements are manufactured by tin processing companies employing classical techniques and considering the anticipated lifetime and building’s exclusiveness. Due to specific inherent qualities of copper, it is recommended to trust cladding and rainwater harvesting system installation to companies specializing in tin work and roof installation.
A decision to use copper, a noble metal, for roofing or reconstruction of the roof is not only a wise one but a great investment as well. Such a roof is resistant to effects of extreme conditions and is maintenance-free during its entire lifetime. Exclusive copper colour gives great aesthetic quality and guarantees separation of the building from the environment.
