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.

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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.

01

100+ year lifespan

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

02

Gets stronger over time

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

03

Unique to every installation

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

04

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.

01

Bay Window Roofs

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

02

Dormers & Turrets

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

03

Chimney Crickets & Caps

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

04

Half-Round Copper Gutters

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

05

Covered Entries & Porches

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

06

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.

1

All panels cut on-site

Measured to your exact roof geometry — no generic fits.

2

Hand-soldered joints

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

3

Flashings to exact geometry

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

4

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.

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.

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.

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

What Clients Say

Real homeowners. Real completed projects. No paid ratings.

Copper That Outlasts Everything.

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

Contact Us

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