For years, metal roofs were a rather predictable architectural feature.  They were usually either steel painted in a solid color (red, blue, brown, and green being the most common for many, many years), or they were a bare metal like copper, aluminum, galvanized, or solid zinc. It’s nearly impossible to speak to someone about a metal roof without them imagining a standing seam, vertical rib roof in one of these colors. However, the state of the art now is that these old standby options are becoming the least common metal roofing systems.

 

 

When pricing a metal roof, keep in mind that all of these new irregular finishes are considered premium colors, and so they will cost you more than the old, monochromatic traditional colors. However, the difference between a solid color metal shingle and a variegated one in the same profile and type of metal is often maybe a 20-25% premium. If the particular diamond you like in a solid bronze color is $3.50 a square foot, the two-tone variant might only add another $0.50-100 to the price. And for that you get a unique and long-lasting roof in a unique and special color.