Metal building colors: Which ones are the most common?
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.