Will a Metal Roof’s Color Fade Over Time?
This is a common question among those purchasing a metal roof for their home or business. It would be impossible to say a painted metal roof will look “factory new” for as long as it sits atop the structure, but metal roofs hold their color quite well compared to many other roofing materials.
There many factors come into play where fading is concerned. One of these factors is the weather to which the roof will be subject. Intense summer heat and glaring sun definitely will affect how well metal roof paint holds up. The most important factor, however, is the paint itself.
As with the paint you use on the interior and exterior of your home, the quality of paint used on a metal roof will in large part determine how long it retains its original color.
Understanding paint
Paint has three main components: pigment, resins and solvents.
Pigment is what produces the color of the paint. Ceramic pigments are considered higher quality than organic pigments and are usually blended with premium resins.
Resin is what creates the appearance of the paint on a surface. Resin qualities vary, with silicon polyester being among the more durable while giving a high-gloss finish.
Solvents are the liquid part of the paint that contains the resin and pigment. Solvents evaporate and allow the color to adhere to the painted surface.
Warranties
The average lay person will not be able to understand all the scientific principles behind pigments, resins and solvents and know how they translate into low-end, medium-end or high-end metal roof paint.
Fortunately, that isn’t necessary. All paints designed for metal roofs come with warranties from the manufacturer. Like warranties for most other products, paint warranties will guarantee a stated appearance over a specific time period, such as “40 years.”
A “Hunter unit” is a measurement of how far paint fades (or changes) from its original color over time. Developed by the American Society of Testing Materials, one Hunter unit represents the most subtle change in color visible to the human eye. The more Hunter units, the more noticeable the change.
The reason Hunter units are important is because many manufacturer warranties will use them in stating how far off the original color their paint can change within the warranty period. This goes for both wall and roof applications – meaning you may have a different Hunter unit number for each.
Problems caused by fading
Aside from just looking bad, fading paint loses its effectiveness in protecting metal panels from corrosion that is caused by excessive temperatures, bright sun, water from rain and snow and other environmental factors.
Metal roofs are ultra-strong and resistant to just about everything Nature can throw at them – but they won’t stay in good repair without a high-quality, protective paint coating.
If you’re thinking of switching to the advantages of metal roofing, Advanced Aluminum of Polk County, Florida, can answer all your questions and recommend a quality roofing product that will meet your needs now and into the future. Talk to an expert at (863) 648-5787.