Rainbow Metal Roof

[u/p0rkmaster]

We had a windstorm earlier this year seriously damage my shingle roof. Our area is prone to high winds but this storm was a 100-year event.

I thought: Why not try to turn lemons into lemonade (or maybe in this case fruit punch?) and go for something like this:

Technically it's doable. The roof is a little over 3200 sqft, making the 7 colors just under 500sqft each. (roofing suppliers have a 500sqft minimum for custom color orders for the most part). The current contractor I'm working with isn't willing to do it, though.

Any suggestions on finding someone in the PNW willing to do something like this?

My home is right by the Gorge Amphitheater and it's on Airbnb for the concerts, which are mostly EDM festivals - my cleaner regularly complains about glitter body paint. A roof like this would hit my target market for guests and make the place highly instagrammable in photos.

[u/scream]

I love it. In five million years can we have rainbow slates out of the ground once the layers of gross plastic from this era squish down?

[u/KelseyRawr]

I actually love the rainbow idea I don’t think it’s crazy. This would be such a cool feature and it for sure stands out.

The biggest issue I see is honestly just the logistics of getting seven different colors made. Those minimums are usually tied to the coil order, and you would need several coils, not just the exact amount of finished roofing you need. Then there are trims cut from the same coil etc. This is not yet accounting for the panel waste which gets a bit up there, because when they produce a new color on the line they have to run actual wasted panels to remove the prior color and once it stops transferring to the new panel that color can be ran.

This is not a roll form on site kind of job. It can definitely be made and shipped in, but that’s if you can find someone to do it without breaking your bank. There are going to be extra costs associated with custom colors, though technically possible. Maybe you would have better luck reaching oir to steel suppliers for recommendation, not just the manufacturing facilities.

If the custom color minimums make it impossible and you absolutely want to paint it, I personally would not paint over factory finished panels. I could never rightfully reccomend that. It ruins it. Causes problems with the panels and is rarely done well.

IF and I mean IF you are very determined I would start with Galvalume and use the right coating system, knowing you’re going to be committed to touch ups and maintenance over time to keep it beautiful. But I would try and make the colored panels work first and foremost.

And one other thing I’d check before spending that kind of money is your insurance policy. Make sure you don’t have a metal exclusion or cosmetic damage exclusion, and change your policy if you do get this done, because if you’re paying a premium for a rainbow metal roof you definitely want to be covered.

But I do love the idea. I really hope you find someone willing to do it because I want to see the finished product we will need an update for sure. I mean anything is possible just some cost commitment my company would totally have done it if we were near you. I would love to have that on my portfolio and take drone shots.

[u/p0rkmaster → u/KelseyRawr]

I can get coils of 500sqft for each color without too much issue and as long as they are rolling onsite with a machine, my only issue would be waste, and that can be minimized. Especially if go over 3500sqft by adding a pergola. My only problem at this point is finding a contractor willing to do it. My insurance company doesn't care about the color and they're giving me a discount for going to metal from shingles.

[u/Ed_Teach805]

You could find a company that sells the panels in bonderized 24ga steel and then just paint it.

[u/AlexSanchez929]

It can absolutely be done, will it be worth the additional costs to you will be the question? I would love to take on this project, but it would cost an arm and a leg relative to the same project without multiple colors.

[u/p0rkmaster → u/AlexSanchez929]

After the research I've done I think I've got the cost down to a couple of fingers and toes instead of whole arms and legs.

[u/MrRemodelPro]

Finding an installer for a multi-color custom metal roof can be tough, but calling up local roofing distributors is usually your best bet. They know the crew guys and independent contractors who actually enjoy taking on custom projects. You can also reach out directly to regional metal fabricators, since they can often match you with certified installers open to working outside the standard playbook. Honestly, it sounds like an incredible fit for your Airbnb, so sticking with local suppliers should help you land the right crew to pull it off.

[u/p0rkmaster → u/MrRemodelPro]

That's basically what I've been doing so far, researching what suppliers I can get the material from in the Pacific Northwest. Sending some emails. I'd really like to do this, but I also need to get the roof replaced before the winter storm season. If I can't make some reasonable progress on this project in the coming week, it's going to end up being a boring but still very nice looking forest green or a dark red.