Roof	Roof Ironwork Windows Masonry

The copper roofs of Canada's Parliament buildings with their distinctive green patina have become national symbols unto themselves. It was therefore important that repairs to the Library's roofs preserve that use of copper.

The three roofs—lower, main and lantern—were last replaced after the fire in 1952. Since then, they had become weather-worn, corroded and ice-beaten. The weathering and corrosion allowed moisture to seep through, deteriorating the supportive metal decking underneath the copper. None of the roofs was equipped with modern or adequate insulation or moisture barriers.

The roofs have now been completely rebuilt from the truss structures up with new steel decking, proper insulation and moisture barriers. As well, new gutters and drainage systems were added to prevent water from flowing down the Library's exterior walls and damaging the masonry.

New copper roof and gutters. March 27, 2006 (Roy Grogan)

New copper roofs quickly lose their shine and turn a brown colour. Within 20 or so years, they will acquire the green hue that comes from chemical oxidation.

In the interests of recycling, a significant portion of the old copper roofing was reused by the Canadian War Museum at various locations throughout the museum's interior spaces.

Library copper roofing being reused for murals at the Canadian War Museum.
November 8, 2004