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General
What do you do at Copperworx?
I have a shop that builds custom copper—the hard, one-off pieces most people won’t touch: full flashing packages, radius and elliptical pans, chimney windscreens & caps, range hoods, countertops, leader heads, louvers, and cladding. If you bring a plan, photo, or a good sketch, we can make it.
Do you install roofs or do field work?
Today we’re shop-only. We fabricate, label, and crate every piece, then coordinate with your roofer or GC for installation. If a project needs guidance, I (Joe) will consult selectively to make sure it’s done the right way.
Why copper?
Copper looks right on fine homes and historic buildings, but the bigger reason is longevity. Detailed correctly, copper easily runs a lifetime—often a century or more—and ages into a patina that protects it. Inside the house, copper surfaces are naturally antimicrobial.
Methods & Materials
Which copper temper or thickness should I use?
It depends on the job. I often choose eighth-hard for standing seam (strength + workability) and soft copper for intricate shaping like radius caps and ornate trims. We’ll spec the temper and thickness for each element so it behaves properly on site.
When do you solder instead of using sealants?
Where water wins—valleys, inside corners, pans, terminations—I prefer hand-soldered seams. Sealants have a place, but solder is the permanent fix for high-exposure details and historic work.
What’s the advantage of hand-seamed, double-lock standing seam on historic roofs?
Double-lock matches traditional methods, controls thermal movement, and holds up in real weather. If you want a roof to last—and especially on complex or historic forms—that’s the method I trust.
Can you fabricate curved or radius parts (domes, eyebrow/elliptical window caps, curved pans)?
Yes—that’s a shop specialty. Send drawings or a template with the radius/arc, and we’ll build it. If you need us to, we’ll produce shop drawings so everyone is aligned before we cut metal.
Do you work with lead-coated copper?
Yes, with care. Lead oxidizes quickly and can contaminate a solder joint, so soldering should be completed the same day the metal is cut and fitted. We also plan for environmental considerations — lead runoff can affect surrounding surfaces and the water table over time.
Will new copper stain nearby stone?
Early morning dew runoff can stain porous stone. During the patination stage the dew accumulation on steeper roofs can drip on porous stones and could create such a stain. Gutters can help with this, but this problem does not occur with the dilution provided by rainwater.
Products & Ordering
What’s in a typical flashing package?
Hand-soldered pans, window/door caps, straight and curved band flashing, scuppers, leader heads, vents, and the accessories to tie it together—all clearly labeled for your installer.
What do you need to quote my project?
Architectural drawings are helpful, and field templates are often essential for tight fits. Photos, finish/temper preferences, and site notes (coastal exposure, substrate, adjacent stone) save time. Paula makes sure we have everything lined up before we cut metal.
Do you ship outside Charleston?
Yes. We help you arrange shipping but we don't provide it..
Custom chimney windscreens & caps—anything special to know?
We help design and build custom decorative screens for chimney caps that will decorate and enhance your home and can help with wind deflection.
Custom range hoods—what should I prep?
We help design and fabricate custom range hoods. There are a lot of variations in custom fabrication so contact us to discuss your project.
How do I care for a copper countertop?
Clean with mild soap and water. Copper is a living surface - marks mellow into patina. If you prefer a fixed tone, we can seal it; otherwise it naturally re-patinates and offers antimicrobial benefits.
Historical Work & Consulting
How do you reproduce a historic detail accurately?
We start with good photos and measurements (or a sample), draft shop drawings, and choose the correct temper and thickness. Traditional techniques—hand-soldering, double-lock seams, shrinker-stretcher work—are how we match the original and make it last.
Does Joe offer consulting?
Yes—selectively. I review specs, details, and difficult conditions, remotely or on site when warranted. If you want copper done the right way, I’m happy to help set the standard before metal is cut.
Practicalities
What’s a typical lead time?
Most work runs 2–6 weeks from approved drawings and deposit. Complex radius/ornamental pieces may need more time. We’ll give you a realistic window before we start.
What about warranties?
We stand behind our fabrication quality. Installation practices and waterproofing are in your installer’s court; we’re glad to coordinate and advise so the system works as intended.
How do we get started?
Email drawings/photos with a short note about your goals and site conditions. If it’s a fit, we’ll confirm specs, provide an estimate, and schedule your spot on the shop calendar.
Copperworx' Legacy & Wells Roofing
What happened at Wells Roofing?
Wells Roofing was our family’s field-roofing company for decades. In later years we explored a succession plan for the field operations. That transition didn’t reflect the standards our name is known for, so Joe decided to wind down the field-roofing side and focus on what we’ve always done best: precision shop-built copper and historic reproduction through Copperworx.
Why isn’t Wells Roofing taking on roofing jobs anymore?
The kind of historic copper work we’re asked to do requires rare, high-level skills and a lot of care. Rather than compromise quality, Joe chose to move to shop-only fabrication where every detail is controlled. We now build the parts that make roofs last—flashing packages, radius and elliptical pans, windscreens, caps—and coordinate with your roofer or GC for installation.
Is Wells Roofing "out of business"?
Wells Roofing is part of our legacy. The craft and standards continue today through Copperworx. If you need fabrication or guidance, Copperworx is the place to start; Joe is selectively available for consulting.
How do Wells Roofing and Copperworx relate?
Same lineage, same craftsmanship. The Wells Roofing story explains the foundation of skills Joe applies at Copperworx—custom copper fabrication and historically correct details that are built to last.
Is Joe still involved in projects?
Yes. Joe oversees shop methods and takes on selective consulting—spec reviews, detail guidance, and, when warranted, site assessments—to make sure copper is done the right way before metal is cut.
Why shift from field roofing to shop-only work?
Quality and longevity. Shop fabrication lets us control forming, soldering, and fit with the accuracy historic projects demand. Your team installs; we make the pieces that make the system last.
I’ve seen conflicting statements online. What’s the source of truth?
Please refer to the Legacy/History pages on Copperworx and the Wells Roofing legacy site. If something you read elsewhere doesn’t match those pages, reach out and we'll make sure you have the correct information.
Where can I see awards and recognition?
Visit our Awards & Media page for industry recognition and press features tied to Joe’s work and the Wells story.
Who should I contact now?
Start with Copperworx. Send drawings/photos and a brief description of your goals. We’ll confirm specs, provide an estimate, and schedule fabrication or a consulting call if that’s the right fit.