Copper colored metal roofing is painted Galvalume steel or aluminum finished in a copper-look coating such as Copper Penny, Copper Metallic or Aged Copper, and October 2026 panel listings put it at $1.73 to $4.87 per square foot of coverage, against about $18.67 per square foot for 16 oz copper sheet. The paint does not weather: PAC-CLAD calls its Copper Penny a “Non-Weathering finish,” so the roof stays the shade on the chip instead of turning brown and then green.
Thirteen panel makers and one coating maker publish a copper-look color, with solar reflectance index (SRI) running from 26 for CMG Aged Copper to 59 for Berridge Copper-Cote. Real copper sheet, its patina stages and its installed cost are covered in our copper roofing guide. The painted colors on this page are the lower-cost alternative to that metal.
Key numbers at a glance
A buyer of copper colored metal roofing usually needs five figures first: the SRI spread of 26 to 59, the metallic upcharge of 0% to 48%, the panel price of $1.73 to $4.87 per sq ft, the 35-year fade cap, and the gap to real copper. Each row names its source document and date.
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Penny SRI across five current charts | 45 (McElroy) to 57 (Drexel, PAC-CLAD); CMG 48, Metal Sales W92 50 | McElroy cool metal roofing page; Drexel chart 08.07.25; PAC-CLAD color chart; Metal Sales 24 ga guide 9/2026 |
| SRI range of all copper-look colors checked | 26 (CMG Aged Copper, metallic) to 59 (Berridge Copper-Cote) | CMG 2026 color chart; Berridge SRI chart |
| Calculated noon surface temperature | 142°F for Copper Penny at SR 0.50, vs 164°F for McElroy Dark Bronze and 180°F for the ASTM black reference | Roofing Brief calculation under ASTM E1980 conditions from maker SR and emittance |
| Metallic upcharge on the same panel | 0% (Steel Dash 24 ga snap lock) to 48% (PBS Direct MasterRib 26 ga, $8.08 vs $5.46 per linear ft) | PBS Direct and Steel Dash listings, Oct 29, 2026 |
| Painted panel price per sq ft of coverage | $1.73 (29 ga Prime Panel-Loc Plus Copper Metallic) to $4.87 (24 ga snap lock Weathered Copper) | PBS Direct and Steel Dash listings, Oct 29, 2026 |
| 16 oz copper sheet, material only | $18.67 per sq ft ($559.99 for a 36 x 120 in, 30 lb sheet) | Best Materials listing, Oct 29, 2026 |
| Fade cap on a PVDF copper metallic | 5 color difference units over 35 years (ASTM D2244), Union Corrugating Copper Metallic | Union Signature 300 warranty, Rev F 08/26 |
| Installed standing seam, painted steel vs copper | $10 to $18 vs $28 to $31 per sq ft | 2026 Roofing Cost Report; This Old House, updated 06/05/2026 |
Copper colored metal roofing vs real copper: what actually differs
Copper colored metal roofing is steel or aluminum under a paint film; real copper is cold-rolled ASTM B370 sheet that changes color as it oxidizes. The code, the weight, the slope rules, the runoff and the price all differ, and the table puts each difference next to the document that states it.
| Attribute | Painted copper-look steel | Real copper | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material and code standard | Aluminum-zinc coated steel, ASTM A792 AZ50 (or galvanized ASTM A653 G90) | Cold-rolled copper, ASTM B370, 16 oz per sq ft minimum for metal-sheet roofs | 2021 IRC Table R905.10.3(1) |
| Color over time | Stays near the chip; Union caps fade at 5 units over 35 years | Bright penny, then brown, then green; full patina often takes 25 years on a slope, and arid regions mature to deep brown | Union Sig 300; IBHS RICOWI copper guide |
| Weight | 0.92 lb per sq ft (26 ga) and 1.19 lb per sq ft (24 ga) snap-seam panel | 123 to 190 lb per 100 sq ft installed, depending on seam type and 16 or 20 oz sheet | Best Buy Metals Snap-Seam specs; IBHS |
| Material price | $1.73 to $4.87 per sq ft of panel coverage | $18.67 per sq ft for flat 16 oz sheet, before seam allowance | PBS Direct, Steel Dash, Best Materials, Oct 29, 2026 |
| Installed price | $6 to $10 exposed fastener; $10 to $18 standing seam | $11 to $35; standing seam $28 to $31 | 2026 Roofing Cost Report; This Old House |
| Minimum slope | 3:12 for lapped, nonsoldered seams without lap sealant; 1/2:12 with sealant | 1/4:12 for standing seam, the same rule as steel standing seam | 2021 IRC R905.10.2 |
| Runoff | No copper salts; Union excludes damage from copper runoff onto its painted panels | Runoff stains light stone and corrodes aluminum and zinc below it | Union warranty exclusion f; copper roofing guide |
| Service life claim | Paint film 45 years against crack and peel (Metal Sales PVDF, Union Sig 300) | A properly designed copper roof commonly functions for over 100 years | Metal Sales PVDF warranty 6/1/2026; IBHS |
Weight is the surprise in that table. Best Materials lists a 36 by 120 inch sheet of 16 oz copper at 30 lb, which is 1.0 lb per sq ft, lighter than the 1.19 lb per sq ft Best Buy Metals gives for its 24 ga steel Snap-Seam panel. A copper-look roof is chosen for price and a fixed color, not to save structural load.
Which copper colors do metal roofing makers sell?
Copper-look colors fall into four groups: bright metallics named Copper Penny, Copper Metallic or Copper-Cote; aged browns such as Weathered Copper and Copper Brown; patina greens; and multi-color prints. The table lists 17 named colors from 11 makers with the solar reflectance (SR), thermal emittance (TE) and SRI each document publishes.
| Maker | Color (code) | Look and paint system | SR | TE | SRI | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McElroy Metal | Copper Penny Metallic | Bright metallic, PVDF (Kynar 500) | 0.49 | 0.85 | 45 | McElroy cool metal roofing page, Oct 2026 |
| Metal Sales | Copper Penny (W92) | Bright metallic, PVDF, upcharge | 0.45 | 0.85 | 50 | 24 ga color guide 9/2026 |
| Metal Sales | Weathered Copper (W50) | Aged brown, PVDF | 0.32 | 0.84 | 32 | 24 ga color guide 9/2026 |
| Metal Sales | Aged Copper (65) | Patina green, PVDF | 0.32 | 0.85 | 32 | 24 ga color guide 9/2026 |
| Metal Sales | Native Copper (190) | Copper tone, MS Colorfast45 SMP, 29 ga, upcharge | 0.39 | 0.89 | 35 | 29 ga Eastern guide 9/2026 |
| Drexel Metals | Copper Penny | Metallic, CRRC rated, Sherwin-Williams values | 0.50 | not listed | 57 | Drexel chart 08.07.25 |
| CMG | Copper Penny | Metallic, Durapon 70 PVDF, LRV 30 | 0.439 | 0.84 | 48 | CMG 2026 chart; CMG project page |
| CMG | Aged Copper | Metallic, Durapon 70 PVDF, LRV 20 | not listed | not listed | 26 | CMG 2026 chart |
| PAC-CLAD (Petersen) | Copper Penny (Metallic) | Non-Weathering finish, Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000; 3-year SR 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.86 | 57 | PAC-CLAD color availability chart |
| Union Corrugating | Copper Metallic | Premium metallic, Signature 300; 3-year SR 0.46 | 0.46 | 0.86 | 52 | Union residential chart 5/22 |
| Englert | Metallic Copper (868R29) | Metallic, PPG coil coating | 0.350 | 0.75 | 32 | Englert PPG listing, undated |
| Berridge | Copper-Cote | Bright metallic, Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 | 0.51 | 0.85 | 59 | Berridge SRI chart |
| Berridge | Antique Copper-Cote | Darker metallic, same paint | 0.33 | 0.84 | 34 | Berridge SRI chart |
| Berridge | Copper Brown | Aged brown, same paint | 0.32 | 0.85 | 32 | Berridge SRI chart |
| Fabral | Copper Penny 939 | Mica color | 0.48 | 0.83 | 53 | Fabral color sheet 4-2017 |
| Sheffield Metals | Aged Copper | Lightest green, 24 ga PVDF coil | not listed | not listed | 53 | Sheffield green metal roofing article |
| ABC Metal Roofing | Copper Metallic | Metallic, upcharge, directional | not on chart | not on chart | not on chart | ABC color chart Rev A 09/24 |
Three more sources list copper looks without SR values. Western States Metal Roofing lists 12 copper finishes, including Copper Penny, Aged Copper, Green Copper, Streaked Copper, Speckled Copper and Black Copper Matte, most of them multi-color PVDF prints. The Sherwin-Williams Fluropon Metal Trends card lists 10 copper shades, among them Rosy Copper (399C9927), Copper Penny (399A608), Aged Copper (399C2257) and Antique Copper Print, which coil processors can run as custom colors. Everlast Roofing lists a Native Copper on its Synergy color chart (SCG_250331).
PAC-CLAD shows both its Aged Copper and its Weathered Copper as discontinued on its current availability chart. A quote that still names either color from PAC-CLAD should be checked against the chart before the order is signed.
Copper Penny, Aged Copper, Weathered Copper: one name, different colors
Copper color names are not standardized, so the same name can mean a bright metallic at one maker and a green at another. Aged Copper covers four different looks across Metal Sales, Sheffield, CMG and Western States, with SRI from 26 to 53. Order by maker, color name and color code together.
| Name | Maker | What the maker document shows | SRI | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Copper | Metal Sales (65) | Listed among the greens; PVDF | 32 | Metal Sales 24 ga guide 9/2026 |
| Aged Copper | Sheffield Metals | “Lightest green,” built to replicate copper patina | 53 | Sheffield |
| Aged Copper | CMG | Marked as a metallic finish, LRV 20 | 26 | CMG 2026 chart |
| Aged Copper | Western States | Paint print: shiny copper with aqua green patina spots | Not published on the panel page | Western States Aged Copper panel page |
| Aged Copper | PAC-CLAD | Discontinued | Not applicable | PAC-CLAD chart |
| Weathered Copper | Metal Sales (W50) | Aged brown, PVDF | 32 | Metal Sales 24 ga guide |
| Weathered Copper | Steel Dash | SMP on its 24 ga PBR panel; 40-year peel, 30-year chalk or fade terms | Not published | Steel Dash PBR listing |
| Copper Penny | McElroy, Metal Sales, CMG, Drexel, PAC-CLAD | Bright metallic on every chart | 45 to 57 | Charts above |
How hot does a copper colored metal roof get?
A Copper Penny roof runs about 20°F cooler at noon than a Dark Bronze roof. Using the ASTM E1980 method with each maker’s published SR and emittance, Copper Penny at SR 0.50 calculates to 142°F, McElroy Dark Bronze to 164°F, and the ASTM black reference to 180°F, under the standard’s 1,000 W per square meter of sun, 98°F air and medium wind.
| Surface (maker data) | SR | TE | Calculated surface temp | Calculated SRI (published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM E1980 black reference | 0.05 | 0.90 | 180°F | 0 (0) |
| McElroy Dark Bronze PVDF, for comparison | 0.26 | 0.84 | 164°F | 24 (24) |
| Englert Metallic Copper 868R29 | 0.350 | 0.75 | 159°F | 32 (32) |
| Metal Sales Aged Copper (65) | 0.32 | 0.85 | 158°F | 32 (32) |
| Metal Sales Native Copper (190) | 0.39 | 0.89 | 151°F | 43 (35) |
| CMG Copper Penny | 0.439 | 0.84 | 148°F | 48 (48) |
| Metal Sales Copper Penny (W92) | 0.45 | 0.85 | 146°F | 50 (50) |
| Union Corrugating Copper Metallic | 0.46 | 0.86 | 145°F | 52 (52) |
| McElroy Copper Penny Metallic | 0.49 | 0.85 | 143°F | 55 (45) |
| PAC-CLAD Copper Penny | 0.50 | 0.86 | 142°F | 57 (57) |
| Berridge Copper-Cote | 0.51 | 0.85 | 141°F | 58 (59) |
| ASTM E1980 white reference | 0.80 | 0.90 | 112°F | 100 (100) |
The calculation reproduces the published SRI within 1 point for 12 of the 14 products checked, which makes the two outliers worth a question. McElroy prints SR 0.49 and TE 0.85 for Copper Penny Metallic, inputs that compute to SRI 55 rather than the 45 shown, and Metal Sales prints SR 0.39 and TE 0.89 for Native Copper, which compute to 43 rather than 35. Ask the maker which value is current, or look up the listing in the CRRC Rated Products Directory.
Does copper colored metal roofing meet cool roof rules?
In California, a steep-slope single-family reroof in Climate Zones 4 and 8 to 15 needs an aged SR of 0.20 and emittance of 0.75, or an SRI of 16, under section 150.2(b)1Ii of the 2025 Energy Code, per the CRRC summary of the 2025 Energy Code. Every copper-look color in the table clears that bar on initial values.
Englert Metallic Copper sits exactly at the 0.75 emittance floor, so its path is the SRI route at 32. Union Corrugating and PAC-CLAD publish 3-year aged SR values of 0.46 and 0.52, and Drexel marks its Copper Penny as CRRC rated; for other colors, ask for the CRRC product ID before the building department asks for it.
Metallic paint caveats: batches, direction and fade warranties
Copper metallic paint carries rules that solid colors do not: at least five makers print batch or direction warnings, and Fabral’s 2017 sheet removed the 30-year fade warranty for mica colors including copper penny. Read the warranty for the exact color code before you order, because terms differ by maker and paint line.
| Maker or seller | Rule printed on its document | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Sales | “Metallic colors are batch specific and directional. Do not mix coils.” Upcharge applies to Copper Penny (W92) and Native Copper (190) | 24 ga guide 9/2026; 29 ga guide 9/2026 |
| Union Corrugating | Copper Metallic is a premium color; metallic orders should come from the same batch. Signature 300 covers Copper Metallic: 45-year film, 35-year chalk (rating 8) and fade (5 units) | Union chart 5/22; Sig 300 warranty 08/26 |
| ABC Metal Roofing | Metallic colors incur an upcharge; panels and trim are directional and must be installed in the same direction | ABC chart Rev A 09/24 |
| Western States | Copper Penny: batch sensitive and directional; do not mix batches or coil lots; premium color | Western States panel page |
| Fabral (now owned by McElroy Metal) | Mica colors, including copper penny, excluded from the 30-year fade warranty; appearance can differ batch to batch | Fabral sheet 4-2017; ask for current terms |
| Drexel Metals | 35-year paint warranty on Galvalume and aluminum, excluding Exotics; Copper Penny is listed as a Metallic, not an Exotic | Drexel chart 08.07.25 |
| CMG | Visual differences between batches are not cause for rejection or claim | CMG 2026 chart |
| PAC-CLAD | Copper Penny is a premium finish at moderate extra cost and a Non-Weathering finish | PAC-CLAD chart |
How to order copper colored metal panels without a shade mismatch
- Get a metal chip of the exact color code, such as Metal Sales W92 or Union Copper Metallic, and view it outdoors at noon; Everlast and Metal Sales both state that printed and on-screen swatches are only close approximations.
- Order every panel, ridge cap and trim piece on one order so they come from one coil batch, and add 10% overage for a 2,000 sq ft roof, about 2,200 sq ft of coverage, so a damaged panel can be replaced from the same batch.
- Mark the run direction on each panel bundle and install every panel and trim piece in that direction, as ABC and Metal Sales require for metallics.
- Ask for the warranty sheet that names your color: for example, Union Signature 300 lists Copper Metallic by name, while Fabral’s 2017 terms excluded mica colors from fade coverage.
- Check the salt-water clause: Metal Sales PVDF requires more than 1,500 ft from salt water, and Union Signature 300 requires a fresh-water rinse twice a year within 1,500 ft.
- Keep copper runoff, lead and graphite off the panels, since exclusion f of the Union Signature 300 warranty voids coverage for damage from contact with or runoff from those materials.
- Buy the maker’s touch-up paint for the same color code, such as Metal Sales W92 for Copper Penny, and limit it to scratches; a brush or aerosol patch on a metallic shows as a flat spot from the ground.
How much does copper colored metal roofing cost?
Copper colored metal roofing panels cost $1.73 to $4.87 per square foot of coverage in October 29, 2026 listings, and the metallic upcharge over a standard color on the same panel ran from 0% to 48%. Installed, expect roughly $6 to $11 per sq ft for exposed-fastener panels and $10 to $18 for painted standing seam.
| Listing (Oct 29, 2026) | Color | Gauge, paint and warranty | Price | Coverage | Per sq ft of coverage | Same panel, standard color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBS Direct, Union MasterRib cut-to-length (SKU P1004458-26-CM) | Copper Metallic | 26 ga, 45-year limited | $8.08 per linear ft | 36 in | $2.69 | $5.46 per linear ft ($1.82); +48% |
| PBS Direct, MasterRib fixed length | Copper Metallic | 26 ga, 45-year limited | $96.96 per 12 ft panel | 36 in | $2.69 | $54.60 per 10 ft standard color panel |
| PBS Direct, Prime Panel-Loc Plus | Copper Metallic | 29 ga, lifetime painted finish warranty | $62.40 per 12 ft panel | 36 in | $1.73 | Burnished Slate $58.80 ($1.63); +6% |
| Steel Dash snap lock standing seam | Weathered Copper | 24 ga, 40-year peel, 30-year chalk or fade | $6.49 per linear ft | 16 in | $4.87 | Matte Black, Slate Gray, Regal White also $6.49; 0% |
| Steel Dash PBR panel | Weathered Copper | 24 ga SMP, 40-year peel, 30-year chalk or fade | $9.69 per linear ft | 36 in | $3.23 | Not compared |
| Best Materials 16 oz copper sheet | Mill finish copper | 36 x 120 in, 30 lb, about 0.020 in thick | $559.99 per sheet | 30 sq ft flat | $18.67 | Not applicable |
Buying locally changes the logistics more than the price. Western States Metal Roofing sets a $3,000 job minimum before it quotes a homeowner or sends a sample, Steel Dash lists a 7 business day manufacturing lead time for its snap lock panel, and PBS Direct offers pickup at its Wyoming, Delaware store, usually ready in 5 or more days.
| Roof type | Installed cost per sq ft | 2,000 sq ft roof | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed-fastener copper-look panel | $6 to $10, plus up to about $0.96 metallic material premium | $12,000 to $21,900 | 2026 Roofing Cost Report; PBS Direct premium (Roofing Brief estimate) |
| Painted standing seam in a copper color | $10 to $18 | $20,000 to $36,000 | 2026 Roofing Cost Report |
| Copper shingles | $11 to $21 | $22,000 to $42,000 | This Old House, 06/05/2026 |
| Copper standing seam | $28 to $31 | $56,000 to $62,000 | This Old House |
| Flat seam copper | About $35 | About $70,000 | This Old House |
Worked example: copper colored metal roofing on a 2,000 sq ft roof
On a 2,000 sq ft roof with 10% waste, or 2,200 sq ft of coverage, copper-look MasterRib panels cost $5,925 against $4,004 in a standard color, a $1,921 difference. The same coverage in 16 oz copper sheet costs $41,066 before seam allowance, cleats or labor. The table shows each step so you can swap in your own roof area.
| Line | MasterRib 26 ga, standard color | MasterRib 26 ga, Copper Metallic | Snap lock 24 ga, Weathered Copper | 16 oz copper sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof area plus 10% waste | 2,200 sq ft | 2,200 sq ft | 2,200 sq ft | 2,200 sq ft |
| Price per sq ft of coverage | $5.46 / 3 ft = $1.82 | $8.08 / 3 ft = $2.69 | $6.49 / 1.333 ft = $4.87 | $559.99 / 30 sq ft = $18.67 |
| Material subtotal | $4,004 | $5,925 | $10,709 | $41,066 |
| Difference vs standard color MasterRib | Base | +$1,921 | +$6,705 | +$37,062 |
| Approximate roof weight, 2,000 sq ft | Not published for MasterRib | Not published for MasterRib | About 2,380 lb at 1.19 lb per sq ft (Best Buy Metals 24 ga) | 2,460 to 3,800 lb installed (IBHS) |
| What is not included | Trim, fasteners, underlayment, labor | Trim, fasteners, underlayment, labor | Clips, trim, underlayment, labor | Seam allowance, cleats, solder, rosin paper, labor |
The metallic premium is a small share of an installed job. At the 2026 Roofing Cost Report rate of $6 to $10 per sq ft for exposed-fastener metal, the $1,921 MasterRib premium adds about 10% to 16% to a $12,000 to $20,000 roof, while choosing copper standing seam instead adds $20,000 to $42,000 over painted standing seam at $10 to $18.
What the top-ranking pages say versus the maker documents
Several pages ranking for copper colored metal roofing give price ratios and color promises without a dated source. The table sets five of those claims next to what the October 2026 listings and the maker warranty documents show, so you can judge which figure applies to your quote.
| Claim | Where it appears | What the primary documents show |
|---|---|---|
| Faux copper costs about 1/3 the price of real copper | Western States copper colors page | Material: $2.69 vs $18.67 per sq ft, about one-seventh. Installed standing seam: $10 to $18 vs $28 to $31, or 32% to 64% of copper |
| Copper colored steel and aluminum usually cost $2 to $6 per sq ft | MetalRoofNet, undated | Oct 2026 panel listings run $1.73 to $4.87 per sq ft of coverage, inside that band |
| Solid copper material costs about $8 to $15 per sq ft | MetalRoofNet, undated | Best Materials lists flat 16 oz sheet at $18.67 per sq ft; Western States’ blog gives $13 to $25 for copper panels |
| With a Kynar copper tone, the color you pick now is the color it will keep | Skywalker Roofing blog | PVDF warranties cap fade at 5 units over 35 years (Metal Sales, Union), but Fabral’s 2017 terms excluded mica colors including copper penny from fade coverage |
| Uniform paint is the giveaway on a fake copper roof | MetalRoofNet, “Is there a good fake” | Correct for single-color metallics; multi-color prints such as Western States Streaked Copper and Sherwin-Williams Antique Copper Print exist to break up that uniformity |
What colors go with a copper colored metal roof?
Bright Copper Penny reads best against white, cream or gray walls with Dark Bronze or Medium Bronze trim, while aged-copper browns at SRI 32 to 34 suit red brick and stained wood. The pairings below are editorial suggestions built from published LRV and SRI values, not maker rules.
| House exterior | Copper look to consider | Trim and gutter color | Why, with published values |
|---|---|---|---|
| White or cream lap siding | Copper Penny (CMG LRV 30, SRI 48) | Dark Bronze (CMG LRV 7) or Medium Bronze (CMG LRV 11) | A dark trim line frames the metallic; the roof sits midway between white walls and bronze trim on the LRV scale |
| Red brick | Weathered Copper (Metal Sales W50) or Copper Brown (Berridge) | Dark Bronze | SRI 32 browns share the brick’s warm undertone without a second bright orange next to it |
| Gray stone or charcoal siding | Antique Copper-Cote (Berridge, SRI 34) or an Aged Copper print | Charcoal or Dark Bronze | A darker copper keeps contrast with gray without reading as orange |
| Tan stucco, hot sunny climate | Copper Penny from Drexel or PAC-CLAD (SRI 57) | Medium Bronze or Champagne metallic | Highest SRI copper looks checked; about 142°F at noon by calculation |
| Cedar, log or stained wood | Copper Penny on accents only: bay windows, porch roofs, dormers | Dark Bronze | Large areas of orange metallic over orange wood blur together; small accent roofs read as copper detailing |
| Existing real copper gutters or cupola | Patina Green or Weathered Copper on the main roof | Real copper stays on its own drainage path | Union excludes damage from copper runoff onto painted panels; see our green metal roof guide for patina greens |
For browns and bronzes that sit beside a copper accent roof, our brown metal roof color guide compares Dark Bronze, Medium Bronze and Mansard Brown across eight maker charts. The wider palette and the PVDF versus SMP comparison are in our metal roof colors guide.
Historic districts and HOAs: when painted copper is not allowed
Painted copper-look steel has a long history: the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 4 on historic roofing notes that 19th-century tin roofs were kept painted, and architect A. J. Davis suggested a color to imitate the green patina of copper. The same brief calls copper-coated steel a less expensive and less durable substitute for sheet copper.
Preservation Brief 4 also asks that a substitute match the scale, texture and coloration of the historic roofing as closely as possible, so a local Historic Preservation Commission may require real copper where copper existed, or approve a painted metallic only on a rear or hidden slope. An HOA architectural committee will often want the maker’s name, color code and a physical chip with the application; get approval in writing before the coil is ordered, because metallic batches cannot be returned once run.
Which copper look should you pick?
Pick by the copper stage you want to imitate, your climate and your warranty exposure. Bright Copper Penny suits hot, sunny sites at SRI up to 57, aged browns suit brick, and real copper is the only choice if you want the roof to change color over 25 years.
| If your situation is | Then choose | Reason, with source |
|---|---|---|
| You want the new-penny look in a hot climate | Copper Penny from Drexel or PAC-CLAD | SRI 57 on both charts; PAC-CLAD’s SR 0.50 and TE 0.86 calculate to about 142°F at noon under ASTM E1980 |
| You want the brown, half-weathered copper look | Weathered Copper (Metal Sales W50), Copper Brown (Berridge) or Antique Copper-Cote | SRI 32 to 34 on the maker charts |
| You want fully patinated green copper on day one | Patina Green or Sheffield Aged Copper | Green at install; real copper takes about 25 years on a slope (IBHS) |
| Barn, shed or garage on a budget | Prime Panel-Loc Plus 29 ga Copper Metallic | $1.73 per sq ft of coverage, 6% over Burnished Slate at PBS Direct, Oct 29, 2026 |
| House roof in standing seam | 24 ga PVDF Copper Penny or Copper Metallic with a written fade warranty naming the color | Union Signature 300: 5 units over 35 years for Copper Metallic |
| Within 1,500 ft of salt water | Check the salt clause before ordering, or price aluminum or real copper | Metal Sales PVDF requires more than 1,500 ft; Union Sig 300 requires twice-yearly rinsing within 1,500 ft |
| Real copper gutters or flashing drain onto the roof | Reroute the copper drainage or keep the copper off the painted area | Union warranty exclusion f covers damage from copper runoff |
| You want the roof to weather and change color | Real copper; see our copper roofing guide | Painted metallics are built not to change; PAC-CLAD calls Copper Penny Non-Weathering |
| Historic district where copper existed | Real copper, or written approval for a painted substitute | NPS Preservation Brief 4 calls copper-coated steel a less durable substitute |
| Adding onto an existing copper-look roof | Same maker and color code, and a chip comparison on site | CMG states batch differences are not cause for a claim |
Frequently asked questions
Is copper color metal roof more expensive?
Usually a little, and sometimes not at all. Metal Sales, ABC and Union Corrugating all flag their metallic copper colors as an upcharge or premium color. On October 29, 2026, PBS Direct listed MasterRib 26 ga Copper Metallic at $8.08 per linear foot against $5.46 for standard colors, 48% more, while Steel Dash priced its 24 ga snap lock Weathered Copper at $6.49, the same as Matte Black.
Is copper a good color for a metal roof?
On heat, yes: Copper Penny metallics publish SRI values of 45 to 57, and by ASTM E1980 calculation a Copper Penny with solar reflectance 0.50 reaches about 142°F at noon, against 164°F for McElroy Dark Bronze. The trade-offs are paint that is batch specific and directional, a small upcharge, and on Fabral’s 2017 terms no 30-year fade warranty for mica colors including copper penny.
How much does a copper-colored metal roof cost?
Copper-colored panels listed at $1.73 to $4.87 per square foot of coverage in October 2026 at PBS Direct and Steel Dash. Installed, the Roofing Brief 2026 cost report puts exposed-fastener metal at $6 to $10 and standing seam at $10 to $18 per square foot, so a 2,000 sq ft roof lands near $12,000 to $36,000, against $56,000 to $62,000 for copper standing seam at This Old House rates.
What type of metal roofing looks like copper?
Painted Galvalume steel or aluminum with a metallic PVDF finish: Copper Penny from McElroy, Metal Sales, Drexel, CMG and PAC-CLAD, Copper Metallic from Union Corrugating and ABC, or Copper-Cote from Berridge. Multi-color prints such as Western States Aged Copper and Sherwin-Williams Antique Copper Print add patina spots, and Patina Green imitates fully weathered copper.
Does copper colored metal roofing turn green?
No. The paint is designed not to change: PAC-CLAD labels its Copper Penny a Non-Weathering finish, and Union Corrugating’s Signature 300 warranty caps fade on Copper Metallic at 5 color difference units for 35 years under ASTM D2244. Real copper weathers to brown and then green, and the IBHS RICOWI copper guide says full patina often takes 25 years on a sloped roof.
What is the difference between Copper Penny and Aged Copper?
Copper Penny imitates new, bright copper and is a metallic finish with published SRI of 45 to 57 at McElroy, Metal Sales, CMG, Drexel and PAC-CLAD. Aged Copper has no fixed meaning: Metal Sales Aged Copper (65) is a green PVDF at SRI 32, Sheffield’s Aged Copper is a light green at SRI 53, and CMG’s Aged Copper is a metallic at SRI 26.
Can copper colored steel panels sit under real copper gutters or a copper cupola?
Keep copper runoff off them. Union Corrugating’s Signature 200 and Signature 300 panel warranties exclude damage caused by contact with, or water run-off from, copper and other dissimilar materials. Route copper downspouts so they do not discharge onto painted panels, or use painted steel gutters in a matching copper color on the painted roof.