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TOPIC: Painting/Coating metal roofs

Colorfast colors

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I know from my sister the paint chemist that certain colors are prone to oxidiation, fading, chalking, etc. What color metal roof would be best in terms of maintaining appearance in a coastal Florida environment?
Guest User

10/28/2001
Paints consist of three things -- solvent, resin, and pigment. Once the paint dries, you're left with resin and pigment. When you see a paint that has chalked, it's because the resin allowed the pigment to come to the surface. When you see a paint that has faded, it is because the pigment changed color and was affected by the UV. The best resin known to the industry today is sold under the trade name of "Kynar" or "Hylar". Therefore, paints that use this resin are of the highest quality produced today. The best pigments known today are ceramic pigments rather than metal-based pigments. This sort of information is a little harder to find out as a consumer but, if you ask some penetrating questions and demand answers from your supplier, you should be able to find out what type of pigment is in the paint on any products you're considering. From a practical standpoint, historically, colors in the blue, red, and purple range have been hardest to hold color on. If you choose something in the lighter colors or the brown and gray range, you would be safest I suppose. However, there are many fine paint formulations out there today and lots of high quality paint systems. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/29/2001
Thank you for the reply. Some metal roofs I have seen appear to be silver in color, is this the grey you are referring to. If not, how would the silver color hold up? This sounds like a metallic pigment.
Guest User

10/30/2001
You could be seeing one of three things. First, you might be seeing a standard gray color paint system. Grays would fall within a range of colors that is historically known to be very low risk in terms of fade. Second, you could be seeing a paint system that has a metallic flake in it. Most of these systems are Kynar-based and, again, have historically been good performers. Finally, you might be seeing bare mill finish galvanized steel or galvalume steel. These products are steel with metallic coatings on them that are either predominately zinc or predominately aluminum. These metals are used in the painted roofing as well. When working with mill finish metals, in the case of galvanized steel, you'd want to have the metal be G90 or better grade galvanized. With galvalume, you'd want it to be AZ 55 or better. These numbers refer to the thickness of the metallic coating on top of the steel. Adding paint on top of the galvanized or galvalume will offer exztended life. Just the same, lots of mill finish roofs are out there performing very well. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/31/2001
I am in agreement with Todd Miller about the Kynar and Hylar finishes. There is nothing better. They are non-proprietary and are available to all manufacturers. Beware, however, of companies that tout "lifetime warranties" on their paint finishes. There are a couple of manufacturers out there, (both buying up companies around the country) that offer these. They'll even put the warranties onto a sub-Kynar quality coating. At the recent Metalcon convention, I spoke to PPG, Morton, and AKZO, three companies that formulate the paint for these rollforming companies. They all say they do not have a "lifetime warranty" on their paints, even their Kynars/Hylars, and that it's the rollforming companies "adding tis feature" to their marketing program. There is NO substantiation to these 'lifetime' claims. Do not be hoodwinked into someone's proprietary "lifetime warranty." Your best bet is to demand a Kynar/Hylar finish on your metal roofing products, expecially in Florida where the degrading ultraviolet rays accelerate the chalk and fade of paint finishes. There are several reputable compaies that will provide you with Kynars.
Guest User

11/12/2001
If you like the appearance of galvalume or galvanized metal roofing but want the extra protection of a finish can you get a "clear coat" finish?
Guest User

11/20/2001
Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/20/2001
Yes, several manufacturers do offer galvalume products with a clear acrylic coating on top of the metal for extra protection. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/20/2001
Which would have better corrosion resistance? How would they differ in appearance? Thanks.
Guest User

11/20/2001
The overall appearance of the two, mill finish, is very similar. Generally, the clear coats are put on galvalume, not galvanized. Both products offer good corrosion resistance. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/21/2001
Do any manufacturers offer the galvalume product with a Kynar or Hylar clear coat finish? Can you name names? Thanks!
Guest User

11/30/2001
To the best of my knowledge, this is not available. Maybe someone else who reads this will know something different though. The only clear coat Kynars I have ever seen were used as "top dressings" as an attempt to extend the life of other less costly paint finishes. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/30/2001
I am interested in installing the above type of roof on my new house. The roof consists fo two rectangular sides approximately thirty by fifty feet each. Do you know roughly how much I should expect to pay for supply and installation of such a roof, with a good quality/furable finish? My new house is located in Southern California, a few blocks in from the coast. Also, could you recommend any suppliers I should contact? Thanks in advance for your help.
Guest User

5/7/2002