Shiny, metal color is one option for steel siding and roofing.
Steel siding and roofing are widely used on commercial buildings. Steel roofing is becoming very common on residential buildings while steel siding has not caught on for residential use. These materials are still considered as utility in nature, and so they often cover utility-type buildings, which limits the color options. Manufacturers use different processes to apply the color to the steel and offer warranties on the finish.
Light Colors
Steel transfers heat and cold very readily, so color must be a prime consideration. Lighter colors reflect heat away from the building. Steel that is silver colored is highly reflective and, in some cases, it has been banned in neighborhoods because it interferes with viewing of the night sky and can be a nuisance during the day by casting glare through windows. White and cream colors are also excellent reflectors of heat and are less invasive in how they handle reflected light. Large commercial buildings that use steel for their roofs are increasingly using white to help lower the cooling costs for the buildings. Light colors are in favor for the siding of buildings as well. In many cases the building front is made from materials other than steel. This facade hides the fact the building is a steel building and provides other color and texture options for aesthetics and design.
Dark Colors
Dark-colored steel roofing and siding attract heat and reflect light poorly. Buildings in cold climates use darker colored steel for their roofs and sides. This strategy draws heat from the sun and helps to lower the energy it takes to heat the building. The lower reflectivity of dark colors makes them attractive for places where glare could be a problem. This is most noticeable in locations with many changes in elevation where the sun can play across surfaces at different levels. Dark colors also give a feeling of greater permanence by making the building look denser and more anchored to the ground. Especially for metal siding, the dark colors make the building seem heavier. Darker colored steel roofs on residences are common because of their attractiveness. Shades of green blend with the natural environment and are also favorites.
Contrasting Colors
Steel siding requires finish pieces for corners and at other places where it transitions to different materials. Building designers use these components to add interest to steel siding. It is common for them to use a contrasting color for these finish pieces. Often where the steel siding is a light color, the corners and other finish pieces are a dark color in the same color range. Steel roofs are mainly just one color.
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