Metal building colors: Which ones are the most common?
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When you look at a building, whether it’s used for residential or commercial purposes, the color is probably the first thing you notice. The color of a building on the outside can tell you a lot about what happens on the inside. For instance, a building geared toward kids, such as an arcade or a toy store, may have bright building colors that will immediately catch the child’s eye. If the building is being used for a more formal or professional purpose, such as an office space, it will likely feature neutral colors on the outside.
While metal buildings might automatically make your mind jump to the standard silver color of the element, there are actually a variety of potential metal building colors that you can explore. But which are the most common? That’s what we’re here to answer.
Read on to learn about the most common metal building colors and how to determine which ones would work best for your project.
The 5 most common metal building colors
The element of metal may be silver, but metal building colors can be nearly any color you want. While everyone may use metal buildings for different purposes, there are a few colors that are more popular for the structures than others.
Five of the most common metal building colors are:
Gray (light gray, ash gray, charcoal).
White (bone white, polar white).
Blue (cobalt blue).
Beige (sandstone, taupe).
Black.
People will often decide to combine two colors on their metal building to elevate the appearance with complementary or two-tone colors, like painting the trim a distinctly different color.
A few common color combinations for metal buildings are:
White and cobalt blue.
Ash gray and crimson red.
Charcoal gray and ash gray.
Brown and white.
You can even add a finish to the metal building color, such as glossy or textured.
Determining the best metal building color for you
When you’re designing your metal building, one of the major decisions is the color that it should be painted. It’s not always an easy decision, either. There are questions that you should consider. Do you want to look clean and polished or stand out to people as they drive by? Does the color match the building’s purpose?
There are a few factors that you should consider when it comes to determining the right metal building color, such as:
Purpose
— One of the most important things to consider when you’re picking a color for your metal building is how it reflects the purpose of the structure. If you’re designing a commercial building, dark colors can make you stand out along the road and represent the business’s image. Residential buildings tend to have more subdued, neutral colors because they give off a warm, homey feel.
Location
— Your metal building color should fit the environment that it’s located in. For instance, a metal barn located in nature might be inspired by its surroundings with browns and greens. Metal buildings in tropical regions might feature bold colors, like blue. It’s also important to consider your location’s climate to determine if you need colors that reflect or absorb heat.
Style
— Even though all metal buildings are made with the same material, the style of the structure can vary. The architecture style can range from modern to
barn
, Victorian to
Cape Cod, and everything in between. The metal building colors that you choose should reflect the style of the building so that it’s one cohesive design.
Local guidelines
— While you are most likely able to have a free range of the colors you choose for your metal buildings, there may be some communities or neighborhoods that have restrictions on the colors that buildings can be painted. Be sure that you check in with your homeowners association or local government to see if there are any guidelines that you have to abide by.
National Steel Buildings can help you decide on metal building colors
Whether you’re utilizing a building for residential or commercial reasons, the metal building colors are an important part of the design process. By exploring the most popular colors, and seeing what factors should contribute to your decision, hopefully you’ve gained a little insight that will help you make a decision.
With National Steel Buildings by your side, you can be sure that your metal building is everything you hoped for, from the color to the layout.
Contact our team today for more information about our steel building options and pricing.
One of the most exciting parts of a metal building project is the design phase. Along with choosing the size and options, one of the most important things you’ll need to consider is the color(s) of your building. With so many metal building colors to choose from, the decision-making process can feel overwhelming.
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Let’s look at some of the most popular colors for metal buildings and some tips on how to choose the right combination for your project.
When choosing colors for your metal building, there are several things to consider. Here are some tips to make things a little easier.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with photo galleries. Look at project portfolios of metal buildings for inspiration.
You may find that you’re more drawn to certain colors than others. Make a note of any designs or color schemes that you really like, and use these as a starting point when designing your building.
You can see our best of gallery here.
Photo galleries are a great start for inspiration, but how will those colors look on your exact building from the manufacturer you’re choosing?
One color scheme may look great on a barn with gable roofing and more ornate architectural details and not so great on a simple garage. Everything from the size of the building to the roof pitch and windows and doors will affect the way the color scheme looks.
If you want to “try on” colors for your building, consider using a visualizer tool. Many metal building manufacturers have their own visualizer or designer tools that allow you to see what your design choices would look like.
These tools are user-friendly, allowing you to select the building sizes they offer, add options and then choose your colors.
Being able to visualize colors on the building of your choice will make the process much easier.
If your property is governed by an HOA, then you’ll need to keep their rules in mind. Certain colors may be off-limits, or you may be constrained only to certain color schemes.
Make sure that you consult with your HOA first and understand the rules before you move forward with your project.
One last thing to remember – you’ll likely need to choose colors for each component of the building. This includes the roof, siding, doors, trim and any other components that the manufacturer may offer. While you can choose whatever color combinations you want, here are some general guidelines that follow the best design practices:
If you’re struggling to find the right color for your building, it may be helpful to look at some of the most popular color schemes.
Gray has always been a popular choice for metal buildings because it’s neutral and can easily complement other buildings on the property.
There are many variations of gray to choose from, including:
White is another popular color because, like gray, it’s neutral and can easily complement other buildings on the property.
Polar White and Bone White/Light Stone are the two most popular shades offered by manufacturers.
White works well on its own, but it’s also a great option to use in high-contrast color schemes (e.g. white and charcoal) because it pairs well with virtually any other color.
Blue is one of our favorite colors. It is not as common and thus it always stand out amongst our regular builds. The boldness is striking in arid landscapes and climates.
Beige is another neutral color that’s popular with metal buildings. You can find different varieties of this color:
One advantage of beige tones is that it blends in well with the surrounding landscape.
It’s more common to see two tone metal buildings today than single color structures. Some of the most popular color combinations include:
Grey and black is a timeless color combination for metal buildings, whether your building is for personal use, agricultural or commercial.
Black can hide imperfections and create a nice contrast against a light grey wall panel. If you prefer a low-contrast color scheme, you can also find buildings that are charcoal grey with black trim.
Blue and white is another classic color combination for metal buildings, particularly for commercial buildings.
Cobalt blue and slate blue are both popular options for walls. When paired with a white trim and roof, it creates a welcoming structure.
One great advantage of choosing blue for your building’s walls is that it’s easy to keep clean and hides imperfections well.
Gray and burnished slate is another popular two-tone combination for metal buildings. These colors complement each other well and blend in with the landscape.
These colors are especially nice when you have stonework in front of the building.
Choosing a color for your metal building doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Use the tips above to find a color combination that fits your personality, goals and the overall theme of your property.