Mastering metal roofing: Choosing the right colors, coatings and durability for your home

By Anna Lockhart.  

Choosing the right metal roof for your home can be a bit of a challenge. Learn how to make the right choice for your home with this metal guide. 

Editor’s note: The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) has organized the Residential Metal Roofing Buyer’s Guide to help homeowners learn about the basics of roofing. This article discusses metal roofing colors and coatings using a passage from the guide. 

Selecting the perfect color and coating for your metal roof isn't just about aesthetics — it's a strategic decision that can impact your home's appearance, energy efficiency and durability. This can be a daunting choice for some homeowners, which is why the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) has created the informative Residential Metal Roofing Buyer’s Guide, which covers all you need to know about metal roofing, styles, color themes and coating materials in an approachable way.  

Color 

Metal roofing offers an extensive array of color options, granting homeowners the freedom to either blend seamlessly with their surrounding neighborhood or make a bold statement with a contrasting hue. For instance, opting for a bright red metal roof against a white exterior can lend your home a striking, attention-grabbing curb appeal. Choosing a lighter-colored roof can create the illusion of added height, ideal for low-slope or shallow-pitched roofs, while darker hues can impart a sense of modesty and integration, particularly in wooded or mountainous areas. 

Coatings  

In addition to the choice of roof color, the choice of coating is an important one, as it is crucial for enhancing the longevity and resilience of your metal roof. Two common options homeowners opt for are silicone-modified polyester (SMP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) coatings. SMP, known for its cost-effectiveness, offers decent performance with improvements in gloss retention and weather resistance, while PVDF stands out as the industry's gold standard, delivering unparalleled durability and protection against the elements. 

For the homeowner interested in both maximizing durability and aesthetic appeal, stone-coated panels are a great option to consider. These panels undergo a process where stone or granular coatings are bonded to specially primed steel, offering both style and protection against wear and tear. 

If your home is in a corrosive or marine environment, opting for metals like aluminum or copper is recommended for their superior resistance to rust and corrosion. Additionally, special "cool" metal roof coatings, designed to reflect infrared radiation and UV rays, can significantly reduce heat absorption, alleviating heat buildup and lowering air conditioning requirements. 

Ultimately, selecting the right color and coating for your metal roof is a multifaceted decision that requires consideration of aesthetic preferences, environmental factors and long-term performance goals. By carefully weighing these factors, homeowners can ensure their metal roofs not only look stunning but also offer lasting protection and energy efficiency for years to come. 

Check out the Residential Metal Roofing Buyer’s Guide to learn more about the different types of metal roof coatings and color schemes to optimize your metal roof!