Remodeling With Copper: Not Just for Plumbing
by Candice Mancini
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
While you're remodeling your bathroom, kitchen, or any room in your home, talk to your contractor about using copper to accent your project. Its beauty, durability, and unique character will amaze you and your friends.
Our contractor recently added a built-in beneath the stairs in our living room and this dilemma arose: what color should it be? Stained like the staircase or painted like the walls? Then an exciting idea arose--copper! While we chose to have the outside of the cabinets stained, we are going with copper for the inside. Now all we need to decide is what form the copper will be.
Copper: Home Improvement That Shines
You'll need to find a contractor with metals expertise for this home improvement project. The process takes skill, involving the use of a flaming torch and a mallet. On your own, finding a good copper source takes time, but your contractor will know have essential industry knowledge.
Built-ins are not the only place for copper. You can also have it installed inside your shower, as a backsplash behind the bathroom and/or kitchen sink, or (for the very bold) on an entire wall.
The Look without the Torch
If using real copper does not fit your taste or budget, there are choices. Ask your painting contractor about metallic paints. In addition to copper, there other metallic shades, including bronze and brass. These paints can be a great choice for built-ins as well as for molding, trim, railings, gates, and fences. There are also spray paints in copper and other metallics which can be used on such things as heater radiants.
Further Home Improvement Ideas Using Copper
Additional uses for copper in the home include knobs and door handles; a fan/exhaust hood for the stove; or even a copper mailbox. In addition to its aesthetic value, remodeling with copper may have health benefits: exposure to copper is thought to help to contain influenza!
Sources
About the Author
Candice Mancini is a writer, a teacher, and a homeowner always on the lookout for a good contractor. She has an M.A. in Education and B.A. in English and history.
|
