Why Choose a Metal Roof

Choosing a color for your new metal roof is an exciting process, especially today, when you have more options available to you than ever before. It is important not to get lost in this sea of choices and keep in mind that the color you choose will greatly affect the overall look and feel of your home. Therefore, take your time and research a variety of color options, as well as consider a number of practical and aesthetic factors that are associated with various colors.

Sample Chart of Kynar 500 Metal Roof Colors

Here are a few considerations to keep in mind to help you successfully navigate all your metal roof color options, and pick the one that will be the best fit for your home:

Quality of Paint Finish: Kynar 500 vs. Acrylic Paints

It is crucial to select a high quality paint for your metal roof that will stand up to the elements, while looking fresh and new for years to come. Make sure to choose a paint that has been treated with a special acrylic resin that blocks ultraviolet light. It will help prevent premature fading, peeling, corrosion, rust and water infiltration. It is also possible to apply different types of coatings and sealants as an additional protective layer, which will make the paint last longer, and will protect the metal from sun rays, moisture and mildew. The current industry standard is “Kynar 500” paint finish that comes with a 30 year warranty. You will probably discover other paint finishes that don’t have the Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 label. — If you don’t see the EnergyStar and Kynar 500 label or its equivalent, then you are probably looking at lower quality acrylic paint finishes that should be avoided for residential applications.

Style of Your Home

The color of metal that you choose for your roof needs to match the overall style of your home. Choose a color based on all the elements of your home’s exterior design, such as the color of the siding, doors, windows, landscape, etc. Remember that a metal roof will keep its original color for years, so you should choose a color that you will be pleased with for many years down the line. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to go for a roof color that complements your home’s existing colors, creating a unified and balanced look. Take a look at different color samples during different times of the day to make sure that you like a particular color both during bright light hours, as well as when the sun is going down and colors look more subdued.

Image Inspiration Credits: Rauser Design

Achieve Desired Effects with Any Roof Color

Today, color choices available in metal roofing are virtually limitless, so it is up to you to decide what effect you want to achieve with the color of your roof. Choosing a color for your roof that contrasts with your home’s siding or brick color will instantly help your home stand out and command attention. On the other hand, choosing complimentary colors will create a monochromatic scheme that will convey a more classic look and feel.

Another option is to go for an ultra-modern look of bare metal. Steel, aluminum, copper, zinc and other exotic metals all have a natural distinctive color that sets them apart, and can create a beautiful and unique look for your home.

It is also important to know that dark vs. light colors have a tremendous impact on the look of your entire home. Having a lighter color roof will make your house appear taller and may be a great option if your home has a low roof, or if it has a shallow pitch. By contrast, darker color can make a tall roof seem less overwhelming.

Sample Charts for Standing Seam Metal Roof Colors:

1. Englert

Englert Custom Colors

Englert Metal Coils

Englert Light Color Standing Seam

Englert Architectural Steel Standing Seam

2. Berridge

3. PacLad

4. Drexel Metals

5. Affordable Metal

Trends in Your Neighborhood

While you want the overall look of your home to reflect your personal aesthetic taste, it is also important to consider the general trends of roof colors in your neighborhood. Walk around and get a sense for the “unwritten aesthetic rules” of your neighborhood. Certainly you should pick the color that you like the most, but also make sure that your home does not become an eyesore on the block.

Energy Efficiency

The color of your roof plays a major role in helping make your home more energy-efficient, so taking this into consideration will help you save money on your monthly electric bill. Lighter color roofs reflect sun’s heat much better than darker colors. In fact, a white metal roof is Energy Star rated as a cool roof, and can be 50 to 60 degrees cooler than a dark color asphalt shingles roof. It is best to choose a light color metal such as white, light bronze, beige, peach, light green or blue, if you live in a region that has a lot of sun and a hotter climate.

A lighter color of the roof will protect your home from unpleasant heat, as well as help lower your monthly energy expenses by as much as 20-30%, as well as help reduce the load on your AC systems in the summer. On the other hand, if your home is located in a cooler climate or you happen to live in a house that has a remarkably well-insulated and ventilated attic space, then choosing a darker color won’t have an impact on your home’s energy performance.

Did you know? Many modern metal roofs boast high energy efficiency and CoolRoof ratings even for darker colors. ?

To achieve the most energy efficiency and to make your home greener, you can also consider installing photovoltaic solar panels on top of your standing seam metal roof. PV Solar panels can be easily integrated with standing seam metal roofs, without compromising your roof’s beautiful looks or structural integrity.

Custom Colors and Profiles

The beauty of metal roofing is that it comes in a virtually limitless variety of colors and profiles. If you want to achieve a highly sophisticated and original look for your home, it is possible to order custom colors in just about any profile that will match a specific palette. You can even order custom levels of gloss or shininess for your metal roof. In addition to custom, solid colors, new technology makes it possible to produce a number of two-tone and variegated colors that can add a lot of aesthetic appeal to your roof.

Custom colors cost more and there are minimum quantities of material that a manufacturer or supplier will require. However, the larger the job, the more reasonable the price for customization will be, and in this case the extra cost may be well worth the premium, custom look you will get.