What are the right type of fasteners to use for copper gutters and downspouts? Let’s take a look.
Rule of Thumb: use fasteners made of materials compatible with copper, like brass, stainless steel, copper, and copper coated stainless steel.
Copper Nails
Copper nails can be used for slate roofing installation, fastening copper flashing, high back gutters, or built in gutters to a wood substrate. We typically use 1.5” copper roofing nails.
Copper Coated Stainless Steel Zip Screws
Copper Coated Stainless Steel Zip Screws (Copper Zips for short) work great for fastening together copper gutters and downspouts. They are magnetic and will stick to your magnetic driver.
Copper Rivets
Copper pop rivets are strong fastener with a low profile that looks clean and finished after application. Copper rivets are widely available from Malco with a steel mandrel. I don’t recommend using these because part of the steel mandrel remains after the rivet is installed, and this bit of steel will react negatively with the copper it is in contact with. The proper type of copper rivet to use when corrosion and longevity are important is one with a brass mandrel, because brass and copper are compatible.
For architectural sheet metal applications, the most common size is an 1/8” wide rivet, in #42 and #44 grip lengths. #42 is the most common, while #44 is a little longer and useful for fastening thicker pieces of copper, or multiple layers of copper, or sometimes even attaching a sheet of copper to wood.
Long Zip Screws – Stainless Steel
1.5” long stainless steel zip screws work well for fastening gutter hangers to fascia board, attaching downspout brackets to the wall, and other applications. They are magnetic, will not corrode, and won’t react negatively with copper. They require a ¼” hex head driver.
Long Zip Screws – Copper Coated Stainless Steel
1.5” copper coated stainless steel screws, work great for fastening fascia-mount gutter brackets or fastening copper downspout brackets to the wall. They feature a real copper coating that will patina. A ¼” nut driver is required.
