Find your Copper Architectural Details at Copper.org (Part 1)

Summary: Need Copper Architectural Details? This post introduces you to the Copper Development Association, Inc. that represents the Copper industry. The CDA offers free resources, education, details, and specifications to designers that can all be found at Copper.org.

Introduction

This is the first post in a series covering the various professional or trade organizations relevant to the building enclosure, and if you ever had any questions about copper, read on.

As previously discussed there are many organizations that can serve as resource for the building enclosure practitioner. In this post we will be looking at the Copper Development Association, Inc. whose online presence can conveniently be found at, you guessed it, Copper.org.

Why start with Copper?

Now, you may be wondering, why should I care about the Copper.org?

No good reason other than that Copper is historically one of the most commonly used metals in building enclosures. It’s use dates back to 8700 BC (check out this timeline) and various copper components are still widely used in the enclosure work today.

Copper components are used for applications ranging masonry througwall flashing to gutters and downspouts, to exposed metal panels and fasteners. Historically copper was used for lining wood gutters as well a multiple decorative elements.

So whether you are a beginner Enclosurist working on single family homes or an old hand working on surgical-natatorium-cleanroom-art galleries, you will definitely encounter copper in your projects.

Although copper may seem like an easy material to design, install, or evaluate, there is a surprising amount one could (and should) learn about the material.

Don’t believe me?

Ask yourself the following:

• What are the galvanic interactions of copper?
• Are seams soldered or sealed, folded over, or tucked?
• Where do we use copper nails and what about the environmental factors that impact copper?

Don’t know? Neither did we.

Working with copper can be challenging.  Detailing it correctly can be even harder. 

Just know that with the right resources, training, know-how, (and details to copy) you too can become a very capable designer, evaluator,specifier and/or installer of copper!

What is the CDU?

The Copper Development Association is a U.S-based, not-for-profit association of the global copper industry, with the mission of influencing the use of copper and copper alloys through research, development, and education.

The CDA’s goal is to promote the proper use of copper materials in sustainable, efficient applications for business, industry, and the home. In short the CDU is described as the world’s foremost resource on copper and copper alloy applications.

That is a big mission but we are naturally most interested in the technical and end-user support as well as the proper use of materials.

Obviously copper is used in many different industries, and you will find resources for all these industries at Copper.org, but since this is not a car blog we will only look at the resources related to the building enclosure.

Get to the copper!

So, getting down to it, what do we like about this website?

This site is a gold mine (a copper mine), when it comes to educational resources.

Three things we want to mention:

• Free education,
• free details, and
• free reference standards.

We will go into more detail on each of these in the next post, but if you are in a hurry, or no longer want to read this, we need to tell you about the one thing that made us most excited.

It is called the Architectural Handbook (pdf), and since we like architecture and we like handbooks, we immediately knew this was for us.

The Architectural Handbook is called “A comprehensive compilation of designs, details and specifications” but trust me it is much more exciting than it sounds.

Firstly it is definitely comprehensive. It contains everything you as an Enclosurist need to know about copper, including basic information about the material, reference standards, as well as a full glossary.

Best of all it contains actual details you can copy today so your building won’t suck (blow or leak) tomorrow.

It is over 300 pages long and it has pictures! Imagine that, a technical publication with Specifications and Pictures!

Imagine that, a technical publication with Specifications and Pictures!

We are really excited!

Now, if you are already as excited as I am, hold on there is more.  

Show me the money…

How much do you think this fine publication will costs?

If you paid attention earlier, you will already know the answer.

It will cost you nothing! Nada. Niks. It is absolutely free! Gratis! Verniet!

Really, you just click the link and download the pdf. You don’t even have to pimp out your (fake) email address!

So, take my advice, take two minutes and download your copy today.

If you are one of those readers who only show up for the free stuff, there you have it.

You can now be on your way. You had your reception, you can now skip the wedding.

If you who want to learn more, follow me to “Doing it Proper with Copper” Part 2 where we will get into the details of Copper.org.