Good, Better and Best Paint For Metal Roofing & Siding

11/05/2020

So you have decided you want to invest in metal roofing and found a contractor that can properly install them…the next question is; what color to go with and what paint system will you choose!?!

When selecting a color for metal panels, there are several things you should keep in mind.

1. All painted or dyed objects are subject to fading over time when exposed to the elements and UV rays.
2. Certain colors, such as grays, charcoals, and browns age better over time and tend to show minimized fading.
3. Colors such as deep blacks, reds, and vibrant colors tend to age more quickly and tend to show fading more quickly.
4. The gauge or thickness of a metal panel does not affect the longevity of the color or coating.
5. There are different paint systems available that each has pros and cons to consider.

A new metal roof is a long-term investment, and the paint/coating system chosen plays a significant role in this decision. If you want to become more familiar with basic paint characteristics and terms used in metal selection, check out this article from Construction Magazine Network.

Paint Basics

All paints have four basic components:

Pigment – the part of the paint that creates the color and reflects UV rays
Resin – holds the pigment together and provides most of the film properties
Solvent – this component helps keep everything together, but eventually evaporates during the curing process
Additives – Substances added to fine-tune the paint.

These four components together have a direct effect on the performance of a paint system and how long it will last. With that said, there are three primary paint systems used in the metal roofing and siding industry. These paint systems will range both in their longevity of performance, cost, and which elements they warrant. The three common paint systems include:

Standard Polyester (also known as Poly) – GOOD
Silicone Modified Polyester (also known as SMP) – BETTER
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (also known as PVDF) – BEST

Let’s take a quick overview of each of these options:

Standard Polyester – GOOD

Standard Polyester paint is typically the most economical but also the lowest performing when compared to the other paint systems of SMP (better) and PVDF (best). As a result, polyester paints usually offer the shortest product warranties as well as being more prone to chalking. This is the least popular option for homeowners seeking a new metal roof system.

ASC Building Products’ standard polyester paint system, referred to as ColorGuard 25 is available in an assortment of colors and only a few of our metal panels; Delta Rib™ III, Nor-Clad®, and Strata Rib®. ColorGuard 25 comes with a 25 year warranty.

Silicone Modified Polyester (SMP) – BETTER

Silicone Modified Polyester (SMP) paint system are more durable compared to standard polyesters. They offer a mid-level price with mid-level performance. They are modified with a different resin structure to improve their UV resistance qualities. SMP systems provide good weatherability (resistance to moisture, sunlight, and temperature changes) and offer a greater resistance to chalking and fading compared to polyester systems. Most residential roofing products sold today use SMP systems due to their balance of performance and affordability.

ASC Building Products’ offers a large variety of SMP paint system colors referred to as Dura Tech™ xl or Dura Tech™ nt colors. These SMP paint systems are backed by a robust warranty and are available in nearly all products. See the colors for yourself with our Interactive Color Chart.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) – BEST

If you want the absolute best protection, a Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) coating is the best performing paint system. A PVDF system exhibits exceptional chemical, chalk, and fade resistance and can resist degradation when exposed to aggressive weather elements such as urban grime, air pollutants, salt, high temperatures, and humidity. The use of a PVDF paint system is commonly selected for high-end residential, architectural, or commercial projects demanding only the best performance. While it’s true the PVDF paint system is more costly, it offers unparalleled performance. As an end-user, you will need to determine whether this added performance is required and worth the added cost.

ASC Building Product’ offers a large selection of PVDF colors in our Design Span® hp, Skyline Roofing® hp and Nu-Wave® Corrugated panels and backed by a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty. Find a paint system and product to fit your needs with our Product Finder.