Metal Roof Colors: Pros and Cons of Different Colors on Metal Roofs

Metal roofing has improved greatly in recent years. While it is still a popular choice for commercial buildings, new production innovations have created metal roofing styles and colors that are perfect for all kinds of buildings, residential and commercial. 

Whether you’re in the market for a commercial or residential metal roof, you may be curious about the options available for metal roof colors. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of different metal roof colors, how they affect energy efficiency, and how different colors hold up to the elements. We’ll also cover the effects of different coatings and finishes on metal roofs and how they can benefit your roof.

Metal Roof Colors and Their Energy Efficiency

The color of a metal roof can actually have a noticeable effect on your energy consumption. Metal roofs are already quite efficient, but their colors also can affect this. If you live in a warm area or are concerned about keeping your building efficient, you might prefer a lighter color. Lighter metal roofing colors, such as white, beige, or other bright shades, reflect sunlight. This can help reduce energy costs by reflecting the heat from the sun and keeping the interior of your building cooler in the warmer months.

On the other hand, darker metal roofing colors can have the opposite effect. Darker colors absorb light making them retain the heat from the sun which can make your building's climate control work harder to keep your building cool. Colder climates are better suited for darker metal roof colors because of this.

You should consider the environment your building is in when choosing your metal roof colors. In Oklahoma specifically, a lighter roof will be much more energy efficient in the long run than a darker one.

Durability and Weather Resistance of Metal Roof Colors

Metal roofs are known for their exceptional durability and ability to hold up against all kinds of weather conditions. The color of your metal roof can influence this performance. Generally, metal roof colors are painted and given a protective coating. These coatings prevent your paint from fading, chipping, and corroding as quickly. We’ll get more into coatings later in this post.

Light colors reign supreme here as well. They tend to fade less over time from sunlight and preserve their appearance for longer. Darker colors can start to fade and discolor over time, but modern UV coatings can keep this from happening quickly.

Although lighter roofing colors can hold up against the sun, they do tend to show dirt, debris, and algae growth over time. They benefit from being regularly cleaned to keep up their appearance.

Available Metal Roof Colors and Their Styles

Metal roofs are available in a wide variety of types and colors, making them a great aesthetic choice for homeowners and business owners alike. 

Light metal roofs tend to have a clean, more modern look and can complement a variety of building styles. They can also make a home or building appear larger from the outside. Lighter colors also tend to stand out, while darker colors tend to blend better with buildings and their surroundings.

Darker colors tend to look more classic, as they can mimic more traditional roofing materials. Deep greens, browns, and greys can look more earthy and natural, while a black metal roof can tend to look more modern. Red is also a popular metal roofing color, often found on commercial buildings as a way to contrast the rest of the building. On a home, a red roof can mimic Spanish-style roofing.

As for other styles of metal roofing, metal roofs can come in different styles that mimic tile, slate, and shake roofs. 

Finishes and Coatings for Metal Roofing

In addition to color, the finish and coatings on your metal roof can affect its durability, look, and energy efficiency. There are a few types of finishes and coating with different looks and finishes.

Glossy finishes on a metal roof have a sleek and polished appearance, and they tend to hold up better over time than a matte finish. Just like with paint on walls, glossy finishes are more durable than matte. Gloss finishes will, however, dull over time as they are exposed to sunlight and weather.

Matte finishes are generally preferred when it comes to aesthetics, as they tend to blend better with the building they sit atop. They are much less reflective and eye-catching, making them much more suitable for residential purposes as well.

With all of these finishes, the colors you choose affect the energy efficiency of your roof. There are a lot of different coatings available for metal roofing as well. Some are more durable than others, focused on preventing damage from UV rays, rust, corrosion, and more.

Conclusion

When choosing a color for your metal roof, considering your location, climate, and aesthetic preference is important for making the right decision for you. Lighter colors are more energy efficient in warmer climates, while darker colors tend to be better suited for colder climates. When it comes to aesthetics, darker colors tend to suit residential areas and lighter colors are typically found in commercial applications. 

Additionally, the variety of finishes and types of metal roofing available make metal roofing a very customizable option to suit your aesthetic preferences. Some coatings, finishes, and types are more durable and energy-efficient than others, so be sure to consult the advice of a professional roofer to help you make the best choice for your building!

If you’re looking to get a metal roof in Oklahoma, contact Statewide Roofing. Give us a call for a free quote, and let us know if you have any questions or get started with us on our contact page. See more of our residential and commercial services, and learn more about us. If you need metal roofing, choose the best in Oklahoma with Statewide!