Metal roofs are growing in popularity year over year as they are becoming more common in neighborhoods throughout America. But an even newer trend has emerged involving metal roof panels: metal as a roof accent.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we manufacture metal roofing and siding panels in over 100 colors and work with contractors and homeowners everyday to help them reach their roofing goals. We are seeing metal roof accents being used more often on commercial buildings and residences.
In this article, we go over the different ways you can use metal roof panels as an accent to enhance the curb appeal of your home or building.
What Are Metal Roof Accents?
Metal roof accents are when metal panels are put on only part of a roof instead of the entire roof system being made of metal. Mixing metal with a different roofing material makes certain parts of the roof aesthetically pop to enhance the overall design.
Why Use Metal Roof Accents?
- Save on budget
- Make certain features of a roof stand out
- Get an idea of what a metal roof is like
Incorporate A Metal Look Without Paying For A Full Metal Roof
One of a metal roof’s biggest advantages is its curb appeal. However depending on the type of metal you choose, that curb appeal can come with a large price tag.
If you like the look of a metal roof but installing one costs more than your roofing system budget allows for, metal roof accents are a solid compromise. You can still incorporate the look of metal into your home design without having to pay for a full metal roof.
Metal Roof Accents Make Roof Features Stand Out
An accentuation is defined as the action of emphasizing something. When it comes to a roof, a metal accent does exactly that by bringing the focus to wherever you choose to use it.
If your roof has unique features, you can make them even more prominent by using metal panels. We discuss the best places on a roof to use metal accents later in the article.
Try Out A Metal Roof By Using Accents
Shingles with metal is one of the most popular roof material combinations when metal roof accents are used. Have an asphalt shingle roof that you know at some point is going to need replacement?
Using metal to accentuate your roof not only enhances your curb appeal, but also gives you an idea of what metal will look like on your home. When the time comes to replace your shingle roof, you can upgrade to a new metal roof and part of the roof will already be done!
Design Ideas For Metal Roof Accents
If you’re interested in using metal roof accents but not sure what part of a roof to use them on, here are some ideas below:
Porches
A porch roof is one area that is usually separate from the rest of the roof, so a metal accent is the perfect finishing touch that can make a unique home feature even more special. Since porch roofs rarely have valleys, it makes for a simple installation for the metal accent.
Porticos
A portico with a metal accent is a simple project that has stunning results. It also offers some creative design opportunities. You can choose to match the metal roof accent to the front door in a unique color, or match the portico roof to the shutters for a cohesive home design.
Bay Windows
Bay windows are stunning just on their own, so adding a metal roof accent to this small area can have a big impact on your curb appeal. Copper roof accents tend to be used for bay windows because it’s one of the smaller accent areas so the high cost of copper roofing is less noticeable.
Cupolas
If your roof has a cupola, it is most likely already the focal point of your roof because of its high placement on the roof’s ridge. Adding a metal roof accent to this already standout feature will only add to its aesthetic charm.
Installing Metal Roof Accents
When metal roof panels are being used as an accent, they should still be installed with as much care and skill as if they were being used as the main roof material. Improper installation can result in unattractive consequences such as oil canning especially when using standing seam panels.
If you plan on installing the accents yourself, watch our installation videos for a guide on how to correctly install metal panels.
Choosing A Color For Metal Roof Accents
The process for choosing a color for metal roof accents depending on if the project is commercial or residential. For commercial buildings, it’s very common to see metal panels in bright colors that match the company branding.
For residential properties, you want to pay attention to the aesthetic of the rest of the roof. If your roof color is a neutral tone shingle, you want to choose a neutral tone metal panel in a slightly different color. Remember that the metal accent will already pop just from being a different roofing material and does not need to be a wild metal roof color to stand out.
Black tends to be one of the more popular colors for metal roof accents because it can blend well with many different aesthetics while also standing out.
Designing Your Roof With Metal Accents
Ready to start exploring how you can enhance your existing roof with metal roofing panels? Western States Metal Roofing offers a free color visualizer which is a unique online tool to help you decide which color to use.
With this tool, you can also compare the different panel options to decide if you want corrugated metal or standing seam. The visualizer even lets you upload a photo of your own roof to try out different options and get the best idea of how it will look before the accents are installed.
Once you’ve found your favorite colors, request a free color chip to see the colors in person!
