Mother Nature or man-made Patina.

Did you just splurge on copper gutters for your home? Now you've got these top of the line jewels shedding water from your roof, you're probably wondering how long before they turn to that beautiful, rustic green patina.

The answer is.... It all depends. The Statue of Liberty didn't turn green overnight, but there are factors involved in the oxidation process.

Factors that affect Copper patina production:

Moisture and Humidity
Original condition of the copper. Should be installed with gloves to prevent oils on your gutter.
Nitrate levels and pollutants in the rain and atmosphere. The higher the better in this case!
Typically patina forms on gutters before downspouts due to their horizontal position.
Where you live.

New Copper

2 Years

4 Years

5 Years

10 Years

25 Years

Patina is formed from the oxidation that occurs with copper and the atmosphere. The corrosion or green tint film that occurs is actually very minimal. It virtually leaves the copper unaffected for strength and durability unlike rust which breaks down other metals. Thus the popularity of using copper in outdoor applications and plumbing.

Urban areas generally speed up the process due to the level of pollutants. Homes in the northeast generally add patina easily. If you cannot wait for mother nature to run its course, there are several formulas for creating your own patina. Most recipes involve ferric or cupric nitrate. Ready to use commercial products are also on the market.