Copper sheet is described by how much a square foot of it weighs. A 16 oz sheet weighs sixteen ounces per square foot and is about 0.0216 inches thick. A 20 oz sheet weighs twenty ounces per square foot and is about 0.027 inches thick. Those are the two weights we fabricate gutters, downspouts and fittings from.
16 oz
Sixteen ounce is the standard residential weight. It forms cleanly on the brake, solders well and is stiff enough for the gutter runs, downspouts and fittings on a typical house. If you are replacing existing copper gutters, they are most likely 16 oz.
20 oz
Twenty ounce is heavier and noticeably stiffer. It belongs on long unsupported runs, on large roof areas that shed a lot of water at once, on commercial buildings and anywhere a gutter will carry snow and ice. It is also the weight we recommend for collector heads and larger custom pieces, where the extra stiffness keeps the shape true.
Why we ask
The weight changes the price and the handling, but it also changes how the piece behaves on the wall. A 20 oz half-round holds its curve better on a long span; a 16 oz K-style is lighter to ship and easier for a contractor to hang. The configurator asks for the weight on every product that offers a choice, and the specification you send us records it, so there is no guessing later.
Mixing weights
It is fine to mix them in one order. Many jobs use 16 oz gutter with 20 oz collector heads, or 20 oz on the long front run and 16 oz on the short sides. Tell us the runs and we will suggest where each one makes sense.
This article is general information about copper gutters and sheet metal work. It is not engineering, building-code or structural advice. Check local code requirements and your roofing contractor's recommendations before you order.
Materials are fabricated in Cleburne and shipped nationwide. Installation is a separate, local service for addresses near Cleburne, confirmed by ZIP code when you request a quote.
