Winnetka · Lake Forest · Glencoe · Barrington

Copper Roofing & Copper Details

The only roofing material that improves with age. Hand-fabricated in-house. Built to outlast the home it’s on.

Schedule an Estimate

About This Service

The Only Material That Gets Better With Age.

Mike Bartkovjaks has worked in roofing since 2000 and founded Black Square Roofing in 2007. Every project gets direct owner oversight — not a subcontract crew you’ve never met.

100+ year lifespan

Copper from the 1920s is still on homes in Winnetka and Lake Forest today.

Gets stronger over time

The patina is a protective oxide layer — copper becomes more durable, not less.

Unique to every installation

No two copper roofs age identically. It becomes part of the building’s identity.

Very few contractors can do this

Hand-soldering and precise fabrication. We’re one of the few on the North Shore who still do it in-house.

Where Copper Goes on Your Home.

We’ll tell you which profile performs best for your roof geometry, budget, and weather exposure.

Bay Window Roofs

The most common copper application. Most North Shore bay windows are copper — and most need replacement.

Dormers & Turrets

Complex geometry. Hand-soldered seams conform to any angle — no caulk shortcuts.

Chimney Crickets & Caps

The most common failure point on luxury roofs. Custom-fabricated to your chimney’s exact dimensions.

Half-Round Copper Gutters

Soldered joints — no snap-together sections. Architecturally correct for period North Shore homes.

Covered Entries & Porches

High visibility from the street. Where copper’s quality is immediately apparent.

Custom Flashings

Wall-to-roof junctions, skylight curbs, valley liners — fabricated to your exact geometry.

The Workshop

Every Piece Made Here.

We don’t order pre-formed components. Every flashing, panel, and gutter section is cut and formed in-house.

Most contractors outsource copper work — and lose quality control at the most critical step.

All panels cut on-site

Measured to your exact roof geometry — no generic fits.

Hand-soldered joints

Every joint soldered with 50/50 solder. No sealants substituted for skill.

Flashings to exact geometry

Chimney, dormer, skylight, wall junctions — all measured and cut for your building.

Owner on every project

Mike Bartkovjaks oversees all copper work personally.

Copper Roofing FAQ

Questions before your estimate.

How long does copper roofing last in Illinois?

Properly installed copper roofing lasts 100+ years. Examples from the 1910s and 1920s are still weathertight on North Shore homes in Winnetka, Lake Forest, and Glencoe today.

What copper applications do you handle

Bay window roofs, dormers, turrets, covered entries, chimney crickets and caps, half-round copper gutters, and custom architectural flashings. All fabricated and hand-soldered in-house.

Is copper more expensive than other metals?

Copper has a higher upfront cost. Divided over a 100-year lifespan with zero replacement cost, the per-year expense is often lower than steel or aluminum alternatives.

Does copper require maintenance?

Minimal. The patina is itself a protective coating — no painting or sealing required. Periodic inspection every 5–10 years is recommended.

Areas We Serve

Serving the NW Chicago Suburbs & Beyond

What Clients Say

Real homeowners. Real completed projects. No paid ratings.

      
   Black Square Roofing & Exterior, Inc
   9 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Ed Taleysnik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t recommend enough working with **Black Square Roofing & Exterior, Inc.** and especially Mark. From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. The quality of work speaks for itself — every detail was handled with incredible care, precision, and professionalism.

What truly sets Mark apart is his passion for perfection. He treats every project like it’s his own and never cuts corners. His attention to detail, communication, and commitment to doing things the right way made the entire process stress-free and enjoyable.

Beyond being a true professional, Mark has also been a great friend and trusted partner to **Bravo Theater**. It’s rare to find someone who combines craftsmanship, integrity, and genuine care for their clients the way he does.

If you’re looking for a company that delivers exceptional results and stands behind their work, Black Square Roofing & Exterior, Inc. is the one to call. Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Daniela Cwajbaum 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A great job, on time and reasonable price. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   anton madalli 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We just had our roof done last week, and Mark managed the entire project. He even helped us with the design, which turned out great. On top of that, his guys noticed that our backyard sliding door wasn’t working properly and helped fix it on the spot. Way to go, guys — we will definitely recommend your business!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gene V 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mark was recommended to me by a contractor about 12 years ago. He replaced my room and gutters, ant the time I didn't know much about "good or bad" roof, but when I was selling my house few years later, I heart one of the realtors (he told me later that he used to be a roofer) tell his clients that rood on that house is done so well that it will outleave that house (and it was a brick ranch that wasn'tgoing anywherewith the next storm). When I purchased a new house, it had a "new" roof that was done by the company recommended by insurance adjuster. About a year after moving in I started heaving problems with it (my chimney was leaking, piece of plywood on my garage roof rotted out...) he was always there for me as soon as I called, and everything was done the right way. ( Saving money now for the new roof in siding, so Mark can get it done and I can forget about it forever)
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robert Marshal 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really good work appreciate your work!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Stepan Kobzey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mark and his team did a great job fixing my roof after issues left by a previous contractor. They repaired problems with the stucco wall, properly installed flashing where it had been done incorrectly before by a different contractor, and removed and replaced rotten wood siding, custom-cut to the correct length and width. They also resolved a long-running issue with the balconies where water was getting into the house, replacing the rotten flooring with composite material. Communication was clear, they explained everything along the way, and were very professional. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Eugene Fox 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Have used them on several occasions - from regular house repairs (roofing and exterior) to dealing with major hail storm consequences.
Can't say enough good things. The owner and his crews work with highest quality and unparalleled attention to detail. Owner has decades of experience in this area and is able to help with making right decisions without upsell.
Cannot recommend this business high enough.

Copper That Outlasts Everything.

Bay window, dormer, turret, or full roof section — measured, fabricated, and installed by the same owner.

Phone

(877) 850-5292

mark@blacksquareroofing.com

Address

221 W University Dr
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Hours

Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

More Roofing Guides

Straight answers on lifespans, costs, and warning signs.

Aerial view of a white reflective low-slope roof that rejects solar heat instead of absorbing it

Commercial Roofing

Cool Roofs & Reflective Flat Roofing

A dark low-slope roof in full July sun runs far hotter than the air around it, and your air conditioning pays for the difference every hour. A reflective roof sends most of that energy back. The EPA puts the reduction in peak cooling demand at 11 to 27% — and in the City of Chicago, reflective covering isn’t optional on

September 30, 2026

Home with rooftop solar over a slate roof in the Chicago suburbs

Roofing Materials

Solar Shingles: Worth It on a Chicago Roof?

The economics of residential solar changed on January 1, 2026, and a lot of the advice still circulating hasn’t caught up. The 30% federal tax credit for homeowner-owned systems is gone. That doesn’t make solar shingles a bad idea in Chicago — but it changes the math enough that you should redo it. Here’s the honest version, from a roofer

September 29, 2026

New architectural asphalt shingle roof and copper chimney flashing on an Arlington Heights home

Roof Replacement

Are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles Worth It in Illinois?

State Farm paid $558 million in Illinois hail claims in 2025 — third-most of any state — and Illinois has logged more than 500 hail reports so far in 2026, fourth-most in the country. That turns impact-resistant shingles from a national trend piece into a local math problem: does the upgrade pay for itself here? Usually yes, but not for

September 24, 2026