Maybe you loved the color of your metal roof when it was installed 15 or 20 years ago, but now it looks faded. Or maybe you bought a house with a perfectly good metal roof in a color you would never have chosen.
Either way, replacing a roof that is still doing its job just because you don't like the way it looks probably isn't your first choice. So, can you paint a metal roof instead?
Yes, you can paint a metal roof. In fact, repainting may be an option if the roof is still in good condition, but the existing finish has faded, or if you simply want a different color. But before you pick a color and start planning the project, you need to make sure you're dealing with an appearance issue rather than a problem paint won't fix.
Painting may make sense when your metal roof is still performing well, and your primary concern is its appearance. A roof doesn't necessarily need to be replaced just because its color isn't what it used to be or no longer works with changes you've made to the rest of your home's exterior.
The important part is separating an appearance issue from a roof performance issue. Fading and chalking can occur as painted metal is exposed to sunlight and weather over time. That's not the same as panels that are severely corroded, damaged, or letting water into your home.
If you aren't sure which you're dealing with, it's a good reason to have an experienced metal roofing contractor inspect the roof before you decide to paint it.
Yes, you can repaint a faded metal roof if the roof and existing coating are in suitable condition. But fading alone doesn't tell you everything you need to know about the roof.
Factory-applied metal roof coatings are designed to weather for many years, and some finishes resist fading and chalking better than others. For example, Kynar 500® PVDF resin-based coatings are known for resisting color change and chalking.
If your roof has faded, check the original paint warranty before doing anything to the surface. Paint warranties can include specific limits for fade, chalk, and film integrity, and those terms vary by manufacturer and paint system. Understanding what those warranty terms mean can help you determine whether what you're seeing is normal weathering or something you should discuss with the contractor or manufacturer before repainting.
No. Repainting your roof in the field is not the same process used to apply its original factory finish.
Most pre-painted metal roofing starts as coiled metal that receives pretreatment, primer, and finish coats under controlled manufacturing conditions. The finished metal is then formed into roofing panels. A field-applied coating is being applied to panels that have already been installed and exposed to years of sun, rain, dirt, and other environmental conditions.
That doesn't mean a repainted roof can't look good or perform well. It simply means homeowners shouldn't expect repainting to recreate the original factory-applied finish.
You need to know what's already on the roof because the existing substrate and coating can affect how well a new coating adheres.
Your roof may have a factory-applied PVDF or SMP coating, or you could be dealing with older galvanized metal or a roof that has already been repainted. Those surfaces aren't necessarily prepared or coated the same way.
This is one of those projects where guessing can get expensive. You don't want to pay to repaint an entire roof only to watch the new coating begin peeling because it wasn't compatible with the existing surface or the roof wasn't prepared correctly.
Professionally painting a metal roof typically costs between $1.20 and $2.70 per square foot. For a 2,000-square-foot roof, that's an estimated cost of $2,400 to $5,400.
The cost to repaint a metal roof can vary quite a bit. Roof size and complexity, accessibility, required surface preparation, the coating system, and local labor costs can all affect the final price. For example, a steep roof with multiple rooflines will typically cost more to paint than a simple roof of the same size.
When comparing estimates, don't look at the price of the coating alone. Make sure you're comparing the total cost of the project, including preparation, materials, labor, and any necessary repairs.
The preparation needed before painting depends on the existing surface and the coating being applied. This can include cleaning the roof, treating the surface, and applying the right primer before applying the new coating.
Sherwin-Williams® offers coating systems specifically for restoring metal roofs, including primers designed for metal roof surfaces and some prefinished metal roofing.
If you're already planning to paint the roof, it may be tempting to think a new coating will fix a few rusty spots at the same time. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way.
A little surface rust is one thing. Corrosion that has started to damage the metal is something entirely different. Sherwin-Williams® recommends removing corrosion and properly preparing exposed metal before applying a new coating. Their guidance on peeling paint on galvanized metal also explains how preparation affects whether the new coating adheres properly.
And if you're seeing holes, damaged panels, significant corrosion, or signs of a leak, stop there. Those are problems paint won't fix, and you should address them before you worry about changing the roof's color.
No single paint or coating is right for every metal roof. The right product depends on the metal and the existing finish.
Look for a coating system designed specifically for metal roof restoration and make sure it's compatible with the existing surface. Follow the coating manufacturer's recommendations for product selection and application.
Yes, especially if the roof is relatively new or you believe the original finish isn't performing as expected. Don't repaint it before you know whether you have a warranty issue. Once you apply another coating, evaluating the original factory finish becomes much more complicated.
Manufacturer warranties also have their own requirements, limitations, and exclusions. If you're unsure whether repainting could affect an existing warranty, contact the contractor who installed the roof or the roof manufacturer before any work begins.
This is one phone call worth making before the project starts, not after.
For most homeowners, repainting an entire metal roof is a job worth discussing with a professional. There's more involved than applying paint, and working on any roof comes with fall and safety risks.
A contractor experienced with metal roofing can evaluate the condition of the panels, fasteners, flashing, and other roof components before they're covered with a new coating. They can also make sure the roof is prepared properly, and the coating is applied according to the manufacturer's requirements.
Finding a problem doesn't automatically mean you need a completely new roof. Individual panels or components may be repairable or replaceable depending on the roof system and the extent of the damage.
The important thing is not to use paint as a shortcut for a repair the roof actually needs.
It can be. If your metal roof is still in good condition and you're mainly concerned about fading or color, repainting may give it the updated look you want without replacing a roof that still has useful life left.
Not sure whether repainting is the right option for your roof? A metal roofing contractor can evaluate its condition and help you determine the best next step.