Finishes and How Long Color Lasts
When you choose a metal roof color, you are really choosing a color and the finish that carries it, and the finish determines how long that color stays looking good. For a Somerset homeowner investing in a decades long roof, this matters as much as the shade itself. Here is what to know.
Why Finish Determines Fade
The same color can hold up beautifully or fade to a chalky version of itself within years, and the difference is the finish. A premium coating bonds the color to the metal and protects it from the sun's ultraviolet light, which is what causes fading. On a roof that will be up for decades, the finish is what keeps it from looking aged long before the metal wears out.
PVDF, the Premium Finish
The top finish for metal roofs is a PVDF coating, often known by the Kynar name, which resists fading, chalking, and weathering far better than cheaper options. Colors in a PVDF finish hold their look for decades, which is why it is the choice for homeowners who want the roof to stay sharp. It costs more than a basic finish, and over a long lived roof, it is usually worth it.
SMP, the Budget Finish
SMP coatings are a more economical finish that performs adequately but does not hold color as long as PVDF, fading and chalking sooner, especially in bold or dark colors that show wear more. For a budget project or a less visible roof, SMP can make sense, but for a color you want to last on a prominent roof, the premium finish is the safer bet. Knowing the difference helps you decide where to spend.
Color Choice and Fade
Some colors hold up better than others regardless of finish. Certain bold reds and vivid colors are more prone to visible fading over time, while earth tones, grays, and bronzes tend to age more gracefully. If long term color stability matters to you, that is worth weighing alongside the finish when you choose. A good contractor can tell you how a given color tends to hold.
Protecting Your Investment
Choosing a quality finish protects the look of an expensive roof for its whole life, which is the point of investing in metal. Paying a little more for PVDF on a color you want to keep is cheaper than living with a faded roof or recoating it years early. The finish is a small part of the cost and a large part of the long term result.
Finish and Color, in Brief
The finish, not just the color, decides how long a metal roof looks good, with premium PVDF holding color for decades and budget SMP fading sooner. For a color you want to last, the better finish is usually worth it.
It also helps Somerset homeowners to understand that the color and the finish are really a single decision, not two separate ones, because the finish determines whether the color you chose actually lasts. It is entirely possible to pick a beautiful color and end up disappointed within a handful of years, not because the color was wrong, but because a cheap finish let it fade and chalk into a dull version of itself. The reverse is also true, a well chosen color in a quality finish can look nearly as good two decades on as it did the day the roof went up. This is why finish should never be an afterthought when choosing a color. A premium PVDF coating costs more than a budget SMP one, but on a roof meant to last decades and to be a prominent part of the home's appearance, that extra cost buys you a color that stays true for the life of the roof. Spending a little more on the finish is one of the easier calls to make, since it protects the very thing, the look, that you cared about enough to choose carefully in the first place.
It also helps Somerset homeowners to understand that the color and the finish are really a single decision, not two separate ones, because the finish determines whether the color you chose actually lasts. It is entirely possible to pick a beautiful color and end up disappointed within a handful of years, not because the color was wrong, but because a cheap finish let it fade and chalk into a dull version of itself. The reverse is also true, a well chosen color in a quality finish can look nearly as good two decades on as it did the day the roof went up. This is why finish should never be an afterthought when choosing a color. A premium PVDF coating costs more than a budget SMP one, but on a roof meant to last decades and to be a prominent part of the home's appearance, that extra cost buys you a color that stays true for the life of the roof. Spending a little more on the finish is one of the easier calls to make, since it protects the very thing, the look, that you cared about enough to choose carefully in the first place.
It also helps Somerset homeowners to understand that the color and the finish are really a single decision, not two separate ones, because the finish determines whether the color you chose actually lasts. It is entirely possible to pick a beautiful color and end up disappointed within a handful of years, not because the color was wrong, but because a cheap finish let it fade and chalk into a dull version of itself. The reverse is also true, a well chosen color in a quality finish can look nearly as good two decades on as it did the day the roof went up. This is why finish should never be an afterthought when choosing a color. A premium PVDF coating costs more than a budget SMP one, but on a roof meant to last decades and to be a prominent part of the home's appearance, that extra cost buys you a color that stays true for the life of the roof. Spending a little more on the finish is one of the easier calls to make, since it protects the very thing, the look, that you cared about enough to choose carefully in the first place.
Choose a Color and Finish That Last
Somerset Metal Roofing offers quality finishes in a wide range of colors for Somerset homes, so your roof stays sharp for decades. Call (765) 676-3491 for a free quote and guidance on the color and finish that will hold up best on your home.