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.
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
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 the “Kynar” paint finish that comes with a 30 year warranty.
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 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.
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 metal roof colors have a tremendous impact on the look of your entire home. Having a lighter color metal will make your roof appear taller and may be a great option if your home has a low roof, or if it has a shallow pitch. By contrast, dark color metal can help make a tall roof seem less overwhelming.
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 light color of the roof will protect your home from unpleasant heat, as well as help to lower your monthly energy expenses by as much as 20-30%. On the other hand, if your home is located in a cooler climate and remains rather cold even in the summer, it is better to choose a darker color, as it will absorb heat from the sun, helping keep your house warm.
To achieve the most energy efficiency and to make your home green, you can also consider installing photovoltaic solar panels on top of your 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 will require to do the finish. 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 look you will get.
