4 Tips To Find The Best Color For Metal Siding Panels

You’ve made a decision to have metal siding and wall panels for your house. Now you’re onto the next problem of deciding: which color should I pick? We know that choosing the right color is a challenging decision that can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed.

You need your metal wall panels to reflect exactly the style and color you’re looking for. That’s why, at Western States Metal Roofing, we’ve created a selection of over 100 different colors and paint finishes. Everyone has their own personal preference which can vary from person to person.

Picking the right color for your metal siding panels is a similar process to finding the right color for your metal roofing panels. However, metal siding and wall panels have an aesthetic appeal that is more prominent and visible that creates a modern exterior design that is attractive and draws attention.

In this article, our goal is to give you valuable tips to help guide you through the process of choosing the best metal siding color:

Choosing The Right Metal Siding Panel

Selecting a paint system. PVDF v. SMP paint finish

Factors that you should consider: Cost, Size, Surrounding Environment and Location, Color Trends, and Energy Efficiency.

Helpful Tools that are available for you: Color Visualizer, photo galleries, download color catalogs, and request a color chip or metal sample.

Tip #1: Choose The Right Metal Siding Panel

When deciding on a metal siding panel, it’s important to know about fastener installation and how metal panels are secured in place. There are two main types of fastener systems: exposed fastener and concealed fastener. What’s the difference?

Exposed fastener siding is secured by fasteners that are visible and can be seen on the surface of the metal panel.

Concealed fastener siding is secured by fasteners that are not visible to see on the surface of the metal panel. Each of these fastener systems will have a distinct appearance based on the securing process of the panels.

When you are able to recognize the difference between the exposed and concealed fastener systems, you’ll be able to decide on the metal panel that best suits your residential or commercial project. This decision will also help to determine whether your plans involve preparing for DIY installation or hiring a contractor.

We’ll outline the metal siding panel types that are available in addition to the benefits and drawbacks that should be considered for both fastener systems, including: installation methods, costs, appearance, performance, and service issues.

 

Exposed Fastener Metal Panels

What are the advantages?

Easier and quicker installation - great for DIY projects!

Less expensive

Classic and timeless appearance

What are the disadvantages?

Having exposed panels can lead to problems with maintenance

 

Types of Exposed Fastener Metal Siding: 

⅞” Corrugated

PBR Panel/ R-Panel

Western Rib (7.2 Panel)

Check out our page Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing and Metal Wall Panels to learn more about exposed fastener types.

 

Concealed Fastener Metal Panels

What are the advantages?

The fasteners are concealed so they are less likely to leak.

There are no visible screw heads

Sleek/ Modern styled appearance

What are the disadvantages?

Difficult installation process - more likely to hire a contractor for install!

More expensive

Repairs/replacements of damaged panels is more challenging

Tip #2: Which paint system is best for me? PVDF or SMP?

SMP Paint System

SMP or silicone modified polyester is a type of paint system that contains silicone and polyester components. Silicone in the coating works to reinforce gloss retention and weather resistance.

SMP panels will have less resistance to fading and chalking. In comparison to PVDF (24 Gauge), SMP panels are 30% to 40% cheaper and are available in lighter gauges.

However, the drawbacks of SMP is that panels are more susceptible to minor damages, and more likely to fade depending on which color is used. For instance, darker colors, such as black or red, tend to fade faster overtime. Whereas, in lighter colors, the panel’s appearance as a result of fading and chalking is less apparent. 

PVDF Paint System

PVDF, or polyvinylidene fluoride, is a paint coat that has a strong chemical structure due to having a carbon-fluorine bond. 

The main advantage of the PVDF paint system is better higher UV resistance which provides long-term durability and longer lasting color integrity in harsh environments. The panels will chalk and fade at a lesser rate when compared to PVDF. 

However, the main disadvantages of PVDF is that it's only available in heavier gauges and is higher in cost when compared to SMP.

Tip #3: What are the different factors to consider when choosing a metal siding color?

 

Surrounding Conditions

The color of your metal siding panel plays a key role in complementing your home’s style and exterior design. To make the best decision, you should take into account the environment just outside of your home such as your front and back landscape.

You might want to take note of all the elements placed around your property. This may include decorative objects, plants, flowers, scenery, streets, other properties and many more!  

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What is the nature or setting of my home or property? 

Mountains and forest

Tropical and coastal 

Desert and plains 

Urban and city-like 

For mountain and forest areas, we recommend colors with more subtle and earthy tones to go well with the natural surroundings. Popular colors include: Classic Green, Dark Bronze, Medium Bronze, Burnished Slate, Charcoal Gray, Slate Gray, Ash Gray, Rusted Paint Prints, Real Rusted Roofing, Matte Finishes, Weathered Gray Paint Prints

Tip #4: What tools are available that will aid in finding the right color?

Photo Galleries

The benefit of looking at photo galleries is that you’ll get to look at various real-life examples of metal siding panels. Typically, the pictures that are showcased are compiled of many metal wall panels that the company takes or that the customers provide. Pictures can also reveal color trends and color combinations that are widely used and bought by metal manufacturing companies. 

A quick Google Search is another way to see how any particular metal panel and desired color looks like. You’ll see that the possibilities are limitless!

Overall, this is a great first start to seeing the colors on different styles of homes and commercial projects which you could use as influence for your own property.

Check out these Metal Roofing Pictures to see how metal panels look on the homes and buildings of our customers.

Color Visualizer

Using a Color Visualizer tool will help you get a more realistic view of your home or building. It’s easy to use and allows you to visualize how any of our metal panels and colors would look on your property right from your computer.

With a touch of a button, this online design tool can immediately assist all of your metal siding projects! Most color visualizer tools let the user experiment with sample buildings typically included or with the image of your own property that can be uploaded. Most metal manufacturing companies have their own Color Visualizer tool - so the programs may differ in the number of existing material options and colors to select from.

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