Bringing his wealth of experience in fine metal roofing and detail from Europe to the United States, German trained Erno Óvári of Copper Exclusive says it's time to share that wealth with others in his trade. Long concerned about the lack of adequate educational opportunities for other fine metal roofing artisans in the states, Óvári says it's his goal to change that.
"I've gone to school for over eleven years of what you would call post graduate programs here in the U.S. My neighbor, a surgeon, went to nine…and he's responsible for human lives!" Óvári says.
The eleven years of Óvári's education took place in the finest institutions of his craft taught by Europe's leading craftspeople, general contractors and engineers. Though Óvári's credentials are numerous, his most widely recognizable degree is the Meisterbrief. This notoriously difficult certification is punctuated by a final exam which has a 50% fail rate. Two chances are offered, but if the test is not passed, the applicant must wait years before another attempt is permitted. The Meisterbrief is Europe's equivalent of a general contractor and the highest certification possible on the continent. The Meisterbrief consists of four parts; one of which gives the holder a teaching certification.
Óvári has 23 years of experience building and restoring some of Europe's most intricate castles, cathedrals and other important buildings. He is also board certified in restoration and an instructor for VM Zinc. His experience ranges from solving the toughest snow and ice issues in the high Alps to hurricane proofing hundred million dollar homes in the Caribbean. Óvári says his experience spans the spectrum, and students all over the world can feel confident he has the proper techniques and solutions for their particular environment.
"It's difficult for American craftspeople to make good work in general, because most of the master craftsmen who emigrated here from Europe have died off in the last few generations and there is no educational infrastructure to support the loss of this knowledge. As a result, corners are being cut and incorrect techniques are being passed on," Óvári says.
To illustrate his point, Óvári related when he was a child, he played a game in which his friends would line up in a long row. The first in line would whisper a simple phrase to the next in line and so on. Inevitably, the phrase uttered at the end of the line ended up completely different from what the initiator had said.
Óvári travels all over the world offering educational seminars and on-site assistance to both large and small groups. "Sometimes my clients just get in over their head. They want to do a good job, but they find certain details trickier than they anticipated. Copper roofing is an art and a science. Some don't necessarily have a project, but just a thirst for knowledge and excellence. Either way, I'm happy to help," Óvári says.
Óvári's seminar options include but are not limited to: beginner roofing, advanced roofing and curved roof procedures. All classes include basic architecture knowledge and review, basic sheet metal techniques, roof design, soldering, and job calculation for metal roof projects.
Óvári concludes, "I have a deep love for this trade. I want to give my New World colleagues a competitive edge and let them feel the pride that comes from work made well without resorting to cheap tricks. Work made well is better for the environment, better for the economy, better for ethics and better for the well-being of both the producer and consumer. This can't happen on a large scale without the proper educational opportunities and guidance."
For more information on Copper Exclusive, including its line of German-crafted roofing accessories, go to www.copperexclusive.com.
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