Timeless Appeal of Copper and Metals
This past week, we looked at a relatively unique kitchen type setup with both countertops and cabinet bases and wooden countertop stand legs. The wooden legs are made from a red oak type wood and the copper sheet metal that wraps the base cabinet has not been aged to have a patina, intentionally, yet, but it is not covered with a protective coating either so over time it will age. The countertop is a 3 cm polished granite, and has a lot of Earth tones reflected throughout the natural pattern of the stone. Today we’re going to talk about some different elements related to the same countertop and kitchen setup.
The picture below shows the copper sheet metal that wraps the base at the underside of the countertop. The countertop comes to a 90° outside corner with a pencil edge type finish at the polished top and edges.
Comparing copper sheet metal to other metal finishing options for cabinet cladding and a variety of architectural design details, a handful of factors influence the overall cost framework. Copper typically is at the higher side of the price range, with market rates ranging from $15-75 per square foot for some of the most common gauges and types of sheet metal material, not including installation costs.
Surprisingly, the low ends of material cost can actually cost more to install, on the labor side and the high ends of the material cost as well can also sometimes cause more to install. The low end of the material costs generally has very thin metal with the highest amount of defects and these defects are difficult to correct and or work with during installation.
Therefore in a typical installation scenario, like many things in construction, if using the cheapest materials, the installation might be exceedingly complicated. In those circumstances be prepared to potentially spend significantly more in labor.
The picture below shows a wide area of this copper sheet metal. It looks like it has a lot of variation, like a fading sign, out in the weather beaten world, unprotected from all the elements in nature. You can see where some areas have faded to look a bit like an oxidized ferrous metal and other areas have the common and naturally found copper blue patina.
This correlation between material price and labor price is not perfectly linear though. Generally better materials will cost less to install, but towards the very high end, there’s an anomalous sort of nature to the prices. Surprisingly, labor costs can actually increase again. Just like on the low end of material cost, on the high end of material cost, labor can also be high because the material might be extra thick which may require different methodologies for installation.
Copper, especially, may be considered a premium material because it has inherent value as a commodity metal, and because it’s also considered to be a semi-precious metal. Copper is used for many functional and industrial type applications such as wiring and cabling and many types of electronics and electrical systems. Copper is also used as a conductor metal and many types of motors and energy creation, storage, and harvesting devices. As well, it’s considered to be semi-precious. It doesn’t mean it’s nearly as valuable as other metals like silver, gold, platinum. Nonetheless, it’s still worth a lot more than more common metals like aluminum and steel because copper is more rare.
This past week, we looked at this particular countertop and it has colors that reflect and complement the natural copper metal color.
A view of that same stone in a direct, head-on, angle follows below.
By comparison to copper, stainless steel, although it performs well functionally, is a more economical alternative, typically costing between $15-80 per square foot for comparable sheet thickness. Stainless steel does not have any visual or aesthetic characteristics like copper’s unique patination and warm aesthetic appeal. In fact, by comparison, stainless steel can feel cold and a little bit more like a laboratory. Depending on the particular characteristics of design of the kitchen though, stainless steel might meld or blend well with the overall design.
Aluminum is an additional alternative type of metal that can be used in kitchen applications. Although there are some differences. Aluminum is generally less expensive than both copper and stainless steel. However aluminum, by comparison, generally does not look as good as stainless steel or copper. Aluminum can look a little bit dry and dull. Aluminum generally oxidize with a relatively stable ionization that will render it stable yet dull looking. As well, similar to copper, aluminum can be easily scratched, dinged, stuffed, and damage. Stainless steel, by comparison is much stronger and resistant to simple scratches and stuff.
An alternative option can also be zinc coated steel. It’s rare to actually get zinc by itself, but if you don’t really understand all the marketing buzzwords, you might mistakenly be led to believe that some countertop or finished surfaces are literally made of just plain zinc. In most cases, that’s not true. It’s generally a zinc coating on top of a ferrous metal.
This is an important distinction because the zinc, like some of these other metals, is a little bit fragile and can wear off at spots or areas of highest use or where there’s particular damage. Those areas of wear, sometimes actually look good, like an intentional worn or faded pair of jeans. They don’t look perfectly consistent and or brand new, but people like them because they look a bit rugged and a bit worn and used. Sometimes people like countertops or metal finishes with the same worn type of look, for the same aesthetic reasons. Zinc might work well in those types of applications where that design element is desired.
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project. If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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