For commercial building owners, roof durability must be the top priority when choosing components and features. Leaks, blow-offs, and constant repairs can lead to lost inventory, downtime, and higher costs.
Once durability is secured, it's time to consider appearance. Your roof’s color and finish enhance your building's visual appeal and contribute to branding and overall property value. This guide explores how choosing the right metal roofing colors and finishes can improve both the functionality and aesthetics of your commercial building.
Roof Aesthetics in Commercial Buildings
Prominent features of buildings like roofs and facades can affect their overall value. A well-chosen roof color reinforces branding and helps your building stand out in the cityscape. Whether you want to convey modernity, trust, or friendliness, your roof’s visual impact is important to clients and visitors.
Most metal roof manufacturers offer 15 to 20 standard colors. However, if your business requires specific corporate colors or wants to match surrounding buildings, custom color options are available. Custom colors often require large minimum orders, but McElroy Metal provides flexibility—custom orders start at 50 squares, or about 5,000 pounds.
The type of metal finish also impacts the appearance. Different metals, such as Galvalume, galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper, offer distinct looks and benefits. Galvalume®, for example, comes with a strong warranty and a lower lifecycle cost than galvanized steel. For buildings in coastal areas, aluminum can be a viable option due to its heightened corrosion resistance; however, many owners still opt for Galvalume substrates due to their superior pull out values.
Metal Roofing Finishing Options
Let’s explore the different finishing options. Each base material type offers distinct advantages affecting both performance and appearance.
Steel (Galvanized and Galvalume®)
Galvanized steel is common but has limitations. While it provides good protection against corrosion, it doesn’t match the warranty benefits of Galvalume. Galvalume — steel coated with a mixture of zinc and aluminum — provides superior durability and corrosion resistance. It’s preferred for most projects in environments, including those with harsh weather. Animal confinement structures are the one building type where Galvanized steel is preferred.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight and naturally resistant to rust. However, its lower strength can reduce its performance in areas with high wind or storm activity. Recently, many coastal regions have shifted back to Galvalume due to its superior wind uplift performance.
Copper
Copper is an eye-catching option often associated with high-end projects due to its distinctive appearance and longevity. Over time, copper develops a unique patina that enhances its character. However, its high cost makes it impractical for most large-scale roofing applications. Copper is typically reserved for accents or specific architectural elements rather than full-roof installations.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Colors and Finishes
When choosing metal roofing colors and finishes, consider these factors:
1. Performance of Color
Paint systems significantly impact durability. For example, Silicone-Modified Polyester (SMP) paint systems tend to fade and chalk more over time compared to Kynar 500® finishes, which offer superior resistance to UV exposure. Check this out to learn more about your various paint system options.
2. Aesthetics
Your roof’s color should complement the building’s design and surroundings. Whether aiming for a modern, sleek look or a more traditional style, choosing the right color can enhance a building's visual appeal.
3. Energy Efficiency
In hot climates, lighter-colored roofs reflect more sunlight, reducing cooling costs. Alternatively, darker colors absorb heat and perform better in colder regions.
4. Local Climate
To ensure longevity, environmental factors such as wind, rain, or salty coastal air should be considered when selecting materials and finishes.
5. Maintenance
Some finishes require more upkeep. Smoother finishes are often easier to clean and maintain over time.
Business Considerations
Choosing the right roofing color and finish plays a role in business strategy. Branding, aesthetics, and property values contribute to business performance and perception. A roof that matches your company’s image projects professionalism and contributes to a modern, trustworthy look.
Durability remains paramount. Opting for higher-quality finishes like the Kynar 500® ensures long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. This durability leads to a higher return on investment (ROI), as a longer-lasting roof reduces the need for costly repairs and replacements.
Choose the Right Metal Roofing Color and Finish with McElroy Metal
For commercial roofing projects, McElroy Metal offers a wide range of durable finishes and customizable color options to meet your specific aesthetic and performance needs. With over 60 years of experience, McElroy delivers long-lasting standing seam roofing solutions that enhance property value and energy efficiency.
Learn everything you need to know about Residential Metal Roofing. Check out our metal roofing resources for inspiration and answers to your questions.
About McElroy Metal
Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The employee-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 14 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.
Topics: Commercial, Substrates and Coatings, Color
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