Star Blue™ Copper

PREWEATHERED PATINA ON COPPER FOR EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS

Star Blue is a Zahner-developed preweathered patina that brings the beauty of aged copper to architectural designs without the centuries-long wait. This custom surface achieves a vibrant blue-green tone through a precisely controlled weathering process. Ideal for exterior wall panels, roofing systems, and architectural accents, Star Blue offers the rich character of naturally aged copper with the practicality of modern innovation, making it an excellent choice for projects of any scale.

$The Kansas City Star Production Facility.$

COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART, EAST FACADE, GLASS, AND PATINATED COPPER.

$Close up view of Star Blue Copper.$

DETAIL OF THE CUSTOM FACADE FOR 178 NORTH ELEVENTH WITH ANTIQUE COPPER PATINA IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Star Blue™ copper panels at SUNY New Paltz Student Union Building

CLOSE-UP OF STAR BLUE COPPER CLADDING ON THE KANSAS CITY STAR PRODUCTION FACILITY.

CUSTOM WALL PANEL WITH PATINATED COPPER.

Star Blue’s patina evolves over time, deepening in color as it interacts with natural elements like air moisture and carbon dioxide. This dynamic process adds refreshing variability and depth to large architectural surfaces, breaking away from uniformity. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Star Blue’s patina forms a protective layer on the copper, ensuring durability and longevity. Produced by Zahner using environmentally friendly techniques, Star Blue combines artistry and sustainability in a versatile, high-performance copper finish.

Star Blue 3D Visualization

Use the visualizer to explore Star Blue in 3D environments.

Switch between Exterior & Interior views to see how the sun’s movement will play across a facade or how the Surface will appear from vantage points with a fixed light source.

Exterior

Interior

Star Blue Products

Star Blue is available with the following Zahner products and services.

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Standard Products

Star Blue Material

Order flat sheets of Star Blue direct from Zahner. Click the button below to see available sizes, thicknesses, and other product details as well as options for submitting a quote request.

Flat Sheet Options

Standard Products

Moda Modular Wall Panel System

Moda combines Zahner’s metal craftsmanship with the convenience of modular design, making it ideal for transforming interior and exterior spaces with its clean lines and Zahner’s signature metal finishes.

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Versatile Systems

Flat Seam Systems

Flat Seam offers a uniquely flexible and affordable metal facade system utilizing interlocking panels that is compatible with most Zahner Materials.

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Versatile Systems

Flat Lap System

The aesthetic appearance of shingle or shake with the benefits of metal, Flat Lap is an easy to install, cost-effective shingle solution available in all Zahner Materials.

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Custom Solutions

Collaborate & Innovate

Whether it’s intricate facades or complex metal artworks, we welcome your most ambitious designs and construction projects. Push the boundaries of what’s possible, turn architectural dreams into tangible success, and create something truly special.

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Documentation

Specs & Info Details

Title	File Type	Link
Surfaces Instructions – Storage & Handling	pdf	Download
Surfaces Product Datasheet	pdf	Download
Surfaces Rhino Material File – Star Blue	zip	Download
Surfaces Specification	docx	Download
Surfaces Warranty	pdf	Download
Zahner Product Warranty	pdf	Download


Recommended Application	Exterior and Interior
Base Metal (alloy)	copper
Standard Thicknesses	20 oz 24 oz 32 oz 48 oz
Approx. Decimal (mm)	.0270” (.686) .0323” (.820) .0431” (1.09) .0646” (1.64)
Approx. Weight (lbs/ft2)	1.25 1.50 2.00 3.00
COTE (in/in/°F)	9.8 x 10-6
Standard Sizes	3′ x 8′ 3’ x 10′

Specs & Info

Title	File Type	Link
Surfaces Instructions – Storage & Handling	pdf	Download
Surfaces Product Datasheet	pdf	Download
Surfaces Rhino Material File – Star Blue	zip	Download
Surfaces Specification	docx	Download
Surfaces Warranty	pdf	Download
Zahner Product Warranty	pdf	Download

Details

Recommended Application: Exterior and Interior
Base Metal (alloy): copper
Standard Thicknesses: 20 oz, 24 oz, 32 oz, 48 oz
Approx. Decimal (mm): .0270” (.686), .0323” (.820), .0431” (1.09), .0646” (1.64)
Approx. Weight (lbs/ft2): 1.25, 1.50, 2.00, 3.00
COTE (in/in/°F): 9.8 x 10-6
Standard Sizes: 3′ x 8′, 3’ x 10′

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Star Blue Copper Manufacturing, Properties, and Applications

Star Blue Copper’s surface provides a range of unique colors and textures on authentic copper surfaces. The patina will initially showcase the factory-produced blue-green tone upon installation. But after a few months of exposure, Star Blue will evolve into a richer hue as it absorbs moisture, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants from the air.

This collaboration with natural elements creates a refreshing variability. The surface breaks from the uniform monotony often experienced on large buildings. The patina also provides a layer of natural protection for the copper alloy, making it a durable, long-lasting surface.

Star Blue Copper can be used on a range of different wall paneling systems, roofing systems, and architectural accents, as well as art and sculpture projects of any scale. Patinas outperform paints due to their natural weathering and aging, a much desired trait compared with the natural deterioration of painted surfaces.

Hands of Man by L. William Zahner

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Blue Copper, Unlike Any Other Material

Zahner began working with copper patination when the company was formed in the late nineteenth century. To get the aged copper look of ancient domes requires entire centuries of weathering in conditions that are neither too dry nor too humid. Zahner uses a proprietary technique with Star Blue that speeds up this process.

Zahner operationalized the Star Blue patina on copper for the Kansas City Star Production Facility, the first large-scale application of Zahner’s proprietary rapid-patination process.

The artistic patina has variation in tone and texture, an uncommon trait that is sought after in the architectural metals community. The development of stable patinas on copper requires a strong background in science, and an understanding of chemical compounds, various climates, and their atmospheric and local conditions.

The Star Blue Difference — Resolving Verdigris

Verdigris refers to a chemical process applied to copper in order to create a blue-green color. Specifically, it references copper acetate, a pigment which develops as a reaction between copper and acetic acid.

The problem with verdigris patina standards is that it can leave the material in a soluble state. Zahner patina technicians have mastered the process of taking verdigris to an insoluble state, ensuring that the patina is fused to the surface. The result is Star Blue Copper, a chemically stable patina produced safely using rapid-patination offered by A. Zahner Company.