A white metal roof is the most heat-reflective color a coil maker sells, but the whites are not interchangeable: on 2025 and 2026 maker charts they range from solar reflectance (SR) 0.55 and SRI 63 (Sheffield Metals Stone White) to SR 0.73 and SRI 89 (Metal Sales Linen White). This guide lines up 21 white and off-white coil colors from eight makers, shows the measured cooling savings from a Florida field study, checks each against California and IECC cool roof thresholds, and prices white panels as listed on October 19, 2026.
The page covers painted steel and aluminum roofing. White asphalt shingles reflect far less: the white shingle in the Florida Solar Energy Center study below had a lab solar reflectance of 0.240, against 0.662 for the white painted metal. They are compared in our white roof shingles guide.
Key numbers at a glance
These six figures answer the questions buyers ask first: SRI 63 to 89, surfaces 27 to 45°F cooler than matte black, 24.0% less cooling energy in a Florida test, an aged SRI 75 bar for California low-slope reroofs, and panels from $1.29 per sq ft. Each value comes from a named maker document, field study, code summary or retailer listing.
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SRI of white and off-white metal colors on maker charts | 63 (Sheffield Stone White) to 89 (Metal Sales Linen White 81) | Sheffield web card (8/2025); Metal Sales 24 Gauge Color Guide (9/2026) |
| Calculated noon surface temperature, white vs matte black | 120°F to 138°F for whites vs 165°F for Sheffield Matte Black | Roofing Brief calculation, ASTM E1980 standard conditions, maker SR and emittance |
| Measured cooling energy cut, white 5-V metal vs dark shingle | 24.0% (adjusted); peak 4 to 6 PM demand down 39.7% on the hottest test day | FSEC-CR-1220-00, Fort Myers, FL, July 2000 |
| California single-family low-slope reroof threshold | Aged SR 0.63 and emittance 0.75, or aged SRI 75 (climate zones 4, 6 to 15) | CRRC summary of the 2025 Title 24, Part 6 Energy Code, Dec 4, 2025 |
| White panel prices | $1.29 to $1.37 per sq ft (29 ga ribbed); $4.87 per sq ft (24 ga snap-lock Regal White) | PBS Direct, Menards, Moscow & Pullman, Steel Dash listings, Oct 19, 2026 |
| PVDF fade warranty, Metal Sales | No more than 5 Hunter units for 35 years, measured after washing the panel | Metal Sales PVDF System Warranty, 6/1/2026 |
Which white metal roof colors do the makers sell?
Each coil maker charts two to four whites, and the same name rarely means the same reflectance: Regal White lists SR 0.68 at McElroy Metal but SR 0.65 at Sheffield Metals. The table ranks every white and off-white we could verify on a maker chart by its published SRI, the ASTM E1980 index where standard black is 0 and standard white is 100.
| Maker color (code) | Paint system or line | SR | Emittance | SRI | Maker document |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Sales Linen White (81) | PVDF, 24 ga | 0.73 | 0.86 | 89 | Metal Sales 24 Gauge Color Guide, 9/2026 |
| Englert Bone White (PPG BN4W114B) | PPG coil coating | 0.716 | 0.86 | 87 | Englert ENERGY STAR listing issued by PPG (undated) |
| McElroy Metal Bone White | PVDF (Kynar 500) | 0.71 | 0.85 | 86 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, 2026 |
| Berridge Natural White | Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 | 0.71 | 0.85 | 86 | Berridge SRI chart, 2026 site |
| Drexel Metals Bone White (CRRC rated) | Sherwin-Williams values | 0.70 | not listed | 85 | Drexel color chart, 08.07.25 |
| Drexel Metals Stone White (CRRC rated) | Sherwin-Williams values | 0.69 | not listed | 84 | Drexel color chart, 08.07.25 |
| Sheffield Crinkle Coat Regal White | 26 ga low-gloss crinkle finish | 0.68 | 0.90 | 83 | Sheffield 26 ga web card |
| McElroy Metal Regal White | PVDF (Kynar 500) | 0.68 | 0.86 | 82 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, 2026 |
| McElroy Metal Ivory (off-white) | PVDF (Kynar 500) | 0.67 | 0.87 | 81 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, 2026 |
| McElroy Metal Brite White | SMP | 0.66 | 0.87 | 80 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, 2026 |
| Englert Stone White (PPG BN4W117B) | PPG coil coating | 0.662 | 0.86 | 80 | Englert listing issued by PPG (undated) |
| Sheffield L/S Regal White | 26 ga low-gloss line | 0.66 | 0.87 | 80 (66 after 3 years) | Sheffield 26 ga web card |
| Metal Sales White (30) | MS Colorfast45 (SMP), 29 ga | 0.66 | 0.86 | 79 | Metal Sales 29 Gauge Eastern Color Guide, 9/2026 |
| Metal Sales Snowdrift White (W81) | PVDF, 24 ga | 0.65 | 0.85 | 78 | Metal Sales 24 Gauge Color Guide, 9/2026 |
| Sheffield Regal White | PVDF (Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000) | 0.65 | 0.83 | 77 (77 after 3 years) | Sheffield web card, 8/2025 |
| Sheffield Solar White | PVDF (Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000) | 0.65 | 0.83 | 77 (77 after 3 years) | Sheffield web card, 8/2025 |
| McElroy Metal Alamo White | SMP | 0.64 | 0.86 | 77 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, 2026 |
| Metal Sales Bright White (39) | MS Colorfast45 (SMP), 29 ga | 0.64 | 0.85 | 76 | Metal Sales 29 Gauge Eastern Color Guide, 9/2026 |
| Berridge Shasta White (off-white) | Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 | 0.61 | 0.85 | 73 | Berridge SRI chart, 2026 site |
| McElroy Metal Almond (off-white) | PVDF (Kynar 500) | 0.60 | 0.84 | 70 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, 2026 |
| Sheffield Stone White | PVDF (Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000) | 0.55 | 0.83 | 63 (59 after 3 years) | Sheffield web card, 8/2025 |
Union Corrugating’s 2024 chart (Rev A, 09/24) lists Polar White, High Gloss White, White and Bright White in its Signature 200 siliconized polyester line and Snow White and Bone White in its Signature 300 line, and states that all Signature 200 and 300 colors are cool roof compliant through the CRRC-1 program. That chart prints no SR values, so pull the CRRC listing for the exact product before quoting a number.
“Bright” is not the brightest: three naming traps
Color names describe the look, not the reflectance, and three cases on current charts prove it, the widest being Stone White, which spans SR 0.55 to 0.69 across three makers. Ask for the maker, paint code and SR in writing rather than relying on the name.
- Metal Sales White (30) beats Bright White (39). On the 9/2026 29 gauge Colorfast45 chart, plain White lists SR 0.66 and SRI 79, Bright White SR 0.64 and SRI 76.
- Bone White beats Regal White at McElroy. The creamier Bone White lists SR 0.71 and SRI 86, the purer-looking Regal White SR 0.68 and SRI 82.
- Stone White spans 21 SRI points. Drexel lists Stone White at SRI 84 and Englert at 80, while Sheffield’s Stone White sits at 63 on its August 2025 card.
Sheffield’s own numbers also moved: its white metal roofing article lists Regal White at SRI 81, Solar White 82 and Stone White 71, while the August 2025 web card prints 77, 77 and 63. Quote from the current card and the CRRC directory, not from an older article or sample chip.
How hot does a white metal roof get?
Under the ASTM E1980 standard noon condition (1,000 W/m² sun, 310 K air, 300 K sky, medium wind), painted white metal calculates to 120°F to 138°F, against 165°F for a matte black panel and 180°F for the standard black surface. The same method reproduces each maker’s published SRI within about 1 point, which is how we checked the inputs.
| Surface (maker data) | SR | Emittance | Calculated surface temp | Calculated SRI (published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM E1980 standard white | 0.80 | 0.90 | 112°F | 100 |
| Metal Sales Linen White (81) | 0.73 | 0.86 | 120°F | 89 (89) |
| McElroy Regal White PVDF | 0.68 | 0.86 | 125°F | 82 (82) |
| Sheffield Regal White | 0.65 | 0.83 | 128°F | 77 (77) |
| Sheffield Stone White | 0.55 | 0.83 | 138°F | 63 (63) |
| Sheffield Acrylic Coated Galvalume (bare look) | 0.67 | 0.14 | 143°F | 56 (56) |
| Sheffield Matte Black | 0.25 | 0.83 | 165°F | 22 (22) |
| Dark gray shingle in the FSEC study | 0.082 | 0.90 assumed | 178°F | 4 (not published) |
| ASTM E1980 standard black | 0.05 | 0.90 | 180°F | 0 |
The Galvalume row is the useful surprise. Sheffield lists Acrylic Coated Galvalume at SR 0.67, higher than its Regal White at 0.65, yet the bare metal runs about 15°F hotter because its emittance is 0.14 against 0.83 for paint. A silver roof reflects as much sun as a white one but cannot shed the heat it absorbs, which is why white paint scores SRI 77 and bare Galvalume SRI 56.
These are calculated surface temperatures at a fixed test condition, not attic or room temperatures. The SRI reference figures behind the method, including LBNL Heat Island Group reference surfaces, are compiled in our roofing solar reflectance and SRI reference.
How much energy does a white metal roof save?
The best field measurement is the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) study FSEC-CR-1220-00 by Parker, Sonne and Sherwin, run with Florida Power and Light. Seven identical, unoccupied Habitat homes in Fort Myers, six of them with R-19 ceiling insulation, were metered in July 2000, and the white painted 5-V metal roof (lab SR 0.662) cut adjusted cooling energy 24.0% against a dark gray shingle control (SR 0.082), the largest saving of any roof tested.
| Roof in the FSEC study | Lab solar reflectance | Max attic temp, July 8 to 31, 2000 | Final adjusted cooling savings | Estimated annual savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark gray shingle (control) | 0.082 | 135.6°F | baseline | baseline |
| White shingle | 0.240 | 123.5°F | 10.6% | 110 kWh |
| Terra cotta barrel tile | 0.346 | 110.5°F | 7.7% | 329 kWh |
| White barrel S-tile | 0.742 | 95.6°F | 18.5% | 618 kWh |
| White flat tile | 0.773 | 93.3°F | 21.5% | 852 kWh |
| White 5-V metal (painted) | 0.662 | 100.7°F | 24.0% | 864 kWh (1,041 kWh by FSEC’s regression method) |
White metal beat the white tiles despite lower reflectance. FSEC attributes the gap to lower nighttime and early-morning attic temperatures under the metal, which cut overnight cooling demand. On the peak test day, July 26, 2000 (93.0°F high), 4 to 6 PM cooling demand at the white metal house was 0.984 kW against 1.631 kW at the control, a 39.7% cut.
Worked example: what 864 to 1,614 kWh is worth in Florida in 2026
FSEC’s test homes had 1,144 sq ft ceilings, and the report says a typical Florida home with about 1,770 sq ft of ceiling would see roughly 55% more impact. The table prices both the measured and scaled savings at the Energy Information Administration’s July 2026 Florida residential average of 15.03 cents per kWh (Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, released September 24, 2026).
| Case | Annual kWh saved | Price per kWh | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSEC test home, empirical method | 864 | $0.1503 | $129.86 |
| FSEC test home, regression method | 1,041 | $0.1503 | $156.46 |
| Scaled to a 1,770 sq ft ceiling (x 1.55), empirical | 1,339 | $0.1503 | $201.28 |
| Scaled to a 1,770 sq ft ceiling (x 1.55), regression | 1,614 | $0.1503 | $242.52 |
Treat $130 to $243 a year as a Fort Myers, R-19 ceiling, dark-shingle-baseline figure, not a promise. A house with R-38 or more in the attic, no ducts in the attic, or a medium-tone roof as the alternative would likely save less, and a heating-dominated climate gives some of the gain back in winter. Metal roofs dropped out of the federal 25C credit after 2022, and 25C itself ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025 (Public Law 119-21), so no federal tax credit offsets the cost in 2026.
Does a white metal roof meet cool roof codes?
On steep slopes, every white charted above starts at SR 0.55 or higher, nearly three times the 0.20 aged floor. On low slopes (2:12 or less), the thresholds rise to an aged SRI of 64 to 75, and Sheffield Stone White, with a three-year SRI of 59, misses them while Sheffield Regal White, at 77 aged, passes. Codes use the CRRC three-year aged values, so the new-panel number is not the one that counts.
| Code or program | Applies to | Threshold | Sheffield Regal White (aged SRI 77) | Sheffield Stone White (aged SRI 59) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Title 24, Part 6, Sec. 150.1(c)11A | CA single-family new, steep slope, climate zones 10 to 15 | Aged SR 0.20 and emittance 0.75, or SRI 16 | Passes | Passes |
| 2025 Title 24, Sec. 150.2(b)1Ii | CA single-family reroof, steep slope, zones 4 and 8 to 15 | Aged SR 0.20 and emittance 0.75, or SRI 16 | Passes | Passes |
| 2025 Title 24, Sec. 150.2(b)1Iii(a) | CA single-family reroof, low slope, zones 4 and 6 to 15 | Aged SR 0.63 and emittance 0.75, or SRI 75 | Passes on SRI | Fails |
| 2025 Title 24, Sec. 150.1(c)11B | CA single-family new, low slope, zones 13 and 15 | Aged SR 0.63 and emittance 0.75, or SRI 75 | Passes on SRI | Fails |
| 2021 IECC C402.3 (C402.4 in 2024) | Commercial low-slope roofs over cooled space, climate zones 0 to 3 | Aged SR 0.55 and emittance 0.75, or aged SRI 64 | Passes on SRI | Fails |
| LEED v4.1, per Sheffield web card | Low slope | Initial SRI 82 or 3-year SRI 64 | Eligible (3-year 77) | Not eligible |
Sources: CRRC chart of the 2025 California Energy Code cool roof requirements (Dec 4, 2025, effective Jan 1, 2026); CRRC codes and standards listing for IECC adoptions such as Dallas, Houston and Phoenix; Sheffield Metals web card (8/2025). Title 24 Section 10-113 also requires that the product be CRRC rated and labeled, and Section 150.2(b)1Ii lets a reroof skip the steep-slope rule if the attic has at least R-38, a qualifying radiant barrier, or (in zones 2, 4, 9, 10, 12 and 14) no ducts in the attic.
Two older benchmarks still show up on maker pages. McElroy’s cool roofing page and an older Sheffield CoolR chart cite the ENERGY STAR floors (steep slope initial SR 0.25 and aged 0.15; low slope 0.65 and 0.50), but EPA ended the ENERGY STAR roof products program on June 1, 2022, so a white roof can no longer carry that label. The residential code has no general cool roof mandate: the CRRC lists IRC Section N1108.2.1.3 as an optional low-slope efficiency measure and N1107 for tropical climates.
Do white metal roofs get dirty?
Yes. Sheffield Metals calls white “one of the most difficult colors to keep clean” and warns that leaves, pollen and airborne dirt can make a white roof look dirty quickly, especially on low slopes under trees. The heat performance holds up better than the looks: Sheffield publishes the same SRI of 77 for Regal White and Solar White new and after three years of weathering.
| Surface | Initial value | After 3 years | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Regal White PVDF | SRI 77 | SRI 77 | 0 | Sheffield web card, 8/2025 |
| Sheffield Solar White PVDF | SRI 77 | SRI 77 | 0 | Sheffield web card, 8/2025 |
| Sheffield Stone White PVDF | SRI 63 | SRI 59 | minus 4 | Sheffield web card, 8/2025 |
| Sheffield L/S Regal White, 26 ga low-gloss line | SRI 80 | SRI 66 | minus 14 | Sheffield 26 ga web card |
| Bright white low-slope surface (LBNL reference) | SR 0.85, SRI 107 | SR 0.65, SRI 79 | minus 28 SRI | LBNL Heat Island Group, 2009 |
| Bare zincalume steel (LBNL reference) | SR 0.75, SRI 68 | SR 0.50, SRI 26 | minus 42 SRI | LBNL Heat Island Group, 2009 |
The warranty does not cover dirt. Metal Sales’ PVDF warranty (6/1/2026) states that chalk, dirt and other film deposits are washed off with a mild detergent and cheesecloth before fade is measured, so a stained white roof that cleans up is a conforming roof. The same warranty applies only where the roof sits more than 1,500 feet from a salt water environment; the Colorfast45 SMP warranty requires 1,100 yards.
Sheffield Metals’ cleaning method for painted metal, in the order it gives:
- Test the cleaner first on a hidden spot of the roof.
- For general dirt, mix 1/4 cup of mild detergent per gallon of water (a 5% solution) and apply it with a soft bristle brush or non-abrasive pad.
- For mildew, algae or mold, mix 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent, 1 quart of 5% bleach and 3 quarts of water, apply with a soft brush or rag and scrub lightly.
- Spot-treat oil, tar or paint only with a solvent such as mineral spirits, following the label, and never over the whole roof.
- Rinse thoroughly with plain water.
- Skip wire brushes and high-pressure power washers, which Sheffield lists as tools to avoid.
Sheffield suggests a simple cleaning once a year. If nobody will wash the roof, a light mid-tone keeps much of the reflectance with less visible staining: Englert lists Sandstone (PPG BN4I106B) at SR 0.588 and SRI 69, only 11 points below its Stone White.
What are the downsides of a white metal roof?
The documented downsides are cosmetic, contractual and climatic rather than structural, since paint color does not change gauge, wind rating or fire class. The first is upkeep, which Sheffield Metals and the Metal Sales PVDF warranty both address. Each one has a specific fix.
| Downside | What the record says | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt, pollen and mildew show | Sheffield: white is one of the most difficult colors to keep clean | Annual wash with the Sheffield mix; avoid white under overhanging trees on low slopes |
| Staining is not a warranty claim | Metal Sales PVDF warranty: panels are washed before fade is measured | Budget the cleaning; keep the warranty document |
| Glare toward neighbors or upper windows | Western States Metal Roofing sells Matte Regal White as a finish that minimizes glare | Order a matte, low-gloss or crinkle finish such as Sheffield Crinkle Coat Regal White (SR 0.68, SRI 83) |
| Some whites age down | Sheffield Stone White: SRI 63 new, 59 after 3 years; L/S Regal White 80 to 66 | Pick from CRRC aged values, not initial ones |
| Winter solar gain is reduced | California requires cool steep-slope roofs on new homes only in climate zones 10 to 15 | In a heating-dominated climate, choose white for looks, not savings |
| Coastal warranty limits | Metal Sales PVDF: void within 1,500 ft of salt water | Ask for an aluminum-substrate white; Drexel and Englert chart whites in aluminum gauges |
How much does a white metal roof cost?
White carries no premium at the retailers we checked. PBS Direct priced Union Corrugating MasterRib 29 gauge at $46.44 for 12 ft in both White and Bright White, and Steel Dash priced 24 gauge snap-lock standing seam at $6.49 per linear foot in Regal White, Polar White and Matte Black alike. What moves the price is gauge and profile.
| Listing (Oct 19, 2026) | Color | Gauge and size | Price | Per linear ft | Per sq ft of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Corrugating MasterRib, PBS Direct | White | 29 ga, 36 in x 12 ft | $46.44 | $3.87 | $1.29 |
| Union Corrugating MasterRib, PBS Direct | Bright White | 29 ga, 36 in x 16 ft | $61.92 | $3.87 | $1.29 |
| Union Corrugating MasterRib, PBS Direct | White | 26 ga, 36 in x 16 ft | $76.32 | $4.77 | $1.59 |
| Menards Pro-Rib | White | 36 in x 12 ft | $48.45 | $4.04 | $1.35 |
| Menards Pro-Rib | White | 36 in x 16 ft | $62.66 | $3.92 | $1.31 |
| Miramac Tuff Rib, Moscow & Pullman Building Supply | White | 29 ga, 12 ft | $49.49 | $4.12 | $1.37 (36 in coverage) |
| Steel Dash snap-lock standing seam | Regal White | 24 ga, 16 in coverage, 1 in rib, cut to length | $6.49 per ft | $6.49 | $4.87 |
PBS Direct, Menards and Moscow & Pullman prices were read from Google Shopping results and the Steel Dash price from its product listing, all on October 19, 2026; Steel Dash lists a 40-year peel and 30-year chalk or fade paint warranty and a 3:12 minimum slope for the Regal White panel. Prices exclude trim, closures, fasteners and delivery. For installed pricing, our 2026 Roofing Cost Report uses $6 to $10 per sq ft for exposed-fastener metal and $10 to $18 for steel or aluminum standing seam.
Worked example: a 1,536 sq ft white roof, ribbed vs standing seam
A simple gable with two 48 ft long planes and 16 ft eave-to-ridge runs has 1,536 sq ft of roof. Ribbed panels with 36 in coverage need 16 per plane (48 ft divided by 3 ft), so 32 panels at 16 ft; 16 in standing seam needs 36 per plane, so 72 panels at 16 ft.
| Line | Panels | Price per 16 ft panel | Panel subtotal | Per sq ft of roof | Installed range (cost report) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MasterRib 29 ga Bright White | 32 | $61.92 | $1,981.44 | $1.29 | $9,216 to $15,360 at $6 to $10 |
| Menards Pro-Rib White | 32 | $62.66 | $2,005.12 | $1.31 | $9,216 to $15,360 at $6 to $10 |
| MasterRib 26 ga White | 32 | $76.32 | $2,442.24 | $1.59 | $9,216 to $15,360 at $6 to $10 |
| Steel Dash 24 ga Regal White snap-lock | 72 | $103.85 | $7,477.20 | $4.87 | $15,360 to $27,648 at $10 to $18 |
The white standing seam panels alone cost $5,472 to $5,496 more than 29 gauge ribbed for this roof, before clips, trim and the extra labor of a concealed-fastener system. Broader metal pricing by profile and region is in our metal roof cost guide, and Florida’s HVHZ approval rules are covered in metal roof cost in Florida.
Fade and chalk: why white hides paint aging
Chalking is the white residue left as UV breaks down paint resin, and Sheffield Metals notes that on a white roof most of it is not visible to the naked eye, unlike on bright or dark colors. The written terms differ by paint system, so compare the warranty numbers rather than the marketing.
| Warranty (maker document) | Paint system | Chalk limit (ASTM D4214) | Fade limit (ASTM D2244) | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Sales PVDF System Warranty, 6/1/2026 | PVDF | No worse than No. 8 | 5 Hunter units | 35 years (film 45) |
| Metal Sales MS Colorfast45, 6/1/2026 | SMP | No. 7 on roofs (non-vertical) | 6 NBS units on roofs | 30 years (film 45) |
| Metal Sales ColorFit40, 6/1/2026 | SMP | No. 6 on roofs | 7 NBS units on roofs | 20 years (film 40, prorated after year 30) |
| Sheffield Metals spec data sheet (12/2024) | PVDF (Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000) | Covered | Covered | 40 years, non-prorated |
A PVDF white is the safer pick for a house roof expected to last 40 years; an SMP white such as Metal Sales White (30) on Colorfast45 is the value pick for a garage or barn. More on the PVDF and SMP split across all colors is in our metal roof colors guide.
What goes with a white standing seam roof?
Sheffield Metals notes that most modern farmhouse exteriors pair white walls with a black roof, so a white standing seam roof reverses the usual scheme. The pairings below are editorial guidance built from maker color names, not survey data; check HOA or historic-district color rules before ordering.
| House style | Roof white | Trim, gutters and windows | Siding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern farmhouse, all white | Regal White (McElroy SRI 82 or Sheffield SRI 77) | Matte Black or Dark Bronze | White board and batten, color-matched to the roof coil |
| Coastal cottage | Polar White (Union Corrugating Signature 200) or Bone White | White or Dark Bronze | Soft blue or gray; Western States shows Polar White on a Folly Beach, SC home |
| Spanish or Mediterranean revival | Bone White or Almond (McElroy SR 0.60, SRI 70) | Dark Bronze | Stucco in white or sand |
| Barn, shop or pole building | Metal Sales White (30), SRI 79 | Burgundy or Forest Green trim | Matching Colorfast45 wall panels |
If the walls are also white metal, order roof and wall panels from the same maker and coil color; a Regal White from one maker at SR 0.65 and another at 0.68 can read as two shades side by side. Profile choice for the roof is covered in our standing seam installation guide, and flat-pan waviness on light colors in striated vs flat panels.
Which white metal roof should you pick?
Start from the use case and the threshold that binds, such as the Title 24 aged SRI of 75 on a California low-slope reroof. The rules below map common situations to a specific white and the published value that justifies it.
| If your situation is | Pick | Why (published value) |
|---|---|---|
| California reroof at 2:12 or less, zones 4 or 6 to 15 | A white with a CRRC aged SRI of 75 or more, such as Sheffield Regal White | Aged SRI 77 clears the Title 24 SRI 75 path; Stone White at 59 does not |
| You want the most reflective white | Metal Sales Linen White (81), 24 ga PVDF | SR 0.73, SRI 89, the top value on any chart we compiled |
| Budget barn or garage, 29 gauge | Metal Sales White (30) over Bright White (39) | SRI 79 vs 76 at the same Colorfast45 warranty |
| Neighbors or HOA worried about glare | Matte or crinkle white | Sheffield Crinkle Coat Regal White still lists SRI 83 |
| Roof under trees and nobody will wash it | A light mid-tone instead of white | Englert Sandstone keeps SRI 69 with less visible staining |
| Within 1,500 ft of salt water | Aluminum-substrate white with a coastal warranty in writing | Metal Sales PVDF warranty excludes that zone on steel |
| Heating-dominated climate | Any color you like | Title 24 itself skips steep-slope cool roofs outside zones 4 and 8 to 15 |
If a white will show too much dirt on your roof, compare light and dark grays in our guide to the gray metal roof.
How to order a white metal roof without a mismatch
Most white roof problems start at ordering: a name without a code, trim from a different coil, or an initial SRI quoted for a code that checks aged values, as with Sheffield Stone White, which falls from SRI 63 new to 59 after 3 years. These steps close those gaps.
- Get the coil maker, color name, color code and paint system in writing, for example “Englert Bone White, PPG BN4W114B, PVDF”.
- Ask for the CRRC product ID and the three-year aged SR, emittance and SRI if a code, HOA or LEED credit depends on reflectance.
- Order panels, trim, flashing and gutters from the same maker and run, since the same white name spans SR 0.65 to 0.68 across makers.
- Choose the gloss level: standard, low-gloss or crinkle, and see a physical chip in daylight; Sheffield and Metal Sales both say printed swatches are approximate.
- Confirm the warranty document, term and salt-water distance limit before signing.
- Have the installer strip any protective PVC film before installation, as Sheffield’s web card requires, and use only the maker’s color-matched PVDF touch-up pen.
- Schedule the first wash within a year of install, using the Sheffield detergent mix above.
For other colors, see our green metal roofing guide and red metal roof guide, and compare cool roof vs green roof.
Frequently asked questions
Is a white metal roof a good idea?
In a cooling-dominated climate, often yes. In the Florida Solar Energy Center’s Fort Myers study, a white painted 5-V metal roof (solar reflectance 0.662) cut measured cooling energy 24.0% against a dark shingle roof, the largest saving of seven roofs. The trade-off is upkeep: Sheffield Metals calls white one of the hardest colors to keep clean, so plan on an annual wash.
What are the downsides of having a white roof?
Four are documented: dirt, pollen and mildew show plainly (Sheffield Metals); the paint warranty is judged only after the panel is washed (Metal Sales PVDF warranty, 6/1/2026); some whites lose reflectance as they age, such as Sheffield Stone White falling from SRI 63 to 59; and medium-gloss white can throw glare, which matte or crinkle finishes reduce.
Do white metal roofs get dirty?
Yes, visibly, but most whites keep their heat performance. Sheffield Metals lists Regal White and Solar White at SRI 77 both new and after three years of weathering, while its Stone White drops from 63 to 59. Sheffield’s cleaning method is 1/4 cup of detergent per gallon of water with a soft brush, and a bleach and detergent mix for mildew.
Does metal roofing come in white?
Yes. Every major coil maker charts at least one white: Regal White (McElroy, Sheffield), Bone White (Englert, McElroy, Drexel), Stone White (Englert, Drexel, Sheffield), Linen White and Snowdrift White (Metal Sales PVDF), Bright White and White (Metal Sales 29 gauge), Natural White (Berridge) and Polar White (Union Corrugating). Off-whites include Ivory, Almond and Shasta White.
What is the white roofing material called?
On a steep-slope house it is usually painted steel or aluminum sold under a color name such as Regal White, Bone White or Polar White, with a PVDF or SMP paint system. On low-slope commercial roofs the common white materials are TPO and PVC single-ply membranes and white elastomeric coatings. Any of these can be a cool roof if its CRRC rating meets the code threshold.
Which white metal roof color reflects the most heat?
Among the charts we compiled, Metal Sales Linen White (81) in 24 gauge PVDF lists the highest values: solar reflectance 0.73, emittance 0.86 and SRI 89. Englert Bone White (SR 0.716, SRI 87) and McElroy Bone White and Berridge Natural White (both SR 0.71, SRI 86) follow. The lowest white we found is Sheffield Stone White at SR 0.55 and SRI 63.
Is a white standing seam roof worth the money?
Standing seam costs more for the system, not for the white. Steel Dash prices 24 gauge snap-lock at $6.49 per linear foot in Regal White, Polar White and Matte Black alike, about $4.87 per square foot of coverage. Our 2026 Roofing Cost Report puts installed standing seam at $10 to $18 per sq ft versus $6 to $10 for exposed-fastener panels.