PORTLAND, Ore. — Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019 is “Living Coral,” a bright, exceedingly perky pinkish shade, but it’s a contrasting story for homeowners this year, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA).

With more color options and styles available than any other roofing type, metal roofing color trends set the tone for the latest in residential exterior style preferences. Coming off of a seriously challenging 2018, during which U.S. and Canadian homeowners were confronted with climate extremes, severe hurricanes and storms and devastating wildfires, the MRA says the mood is more somber, reflective and nostalgic for 2019.

Instead of bold, bright hues, MRA’s predictions include weathered and “reclaimed” looks, with darker, richer colors such as Aged Bronze and Weathered Zinc to be among the most popular shades for 2019. Some metal roofing manufacturers have gone so far as to introduce designs that mimic a “rusted” appearance, such as the new Infiniti Roadhouse steel roofing style from MRA-member EDCO, which harkens back to vintage barns and farmhouses and belies the material’s underlying high-tech performance features. Natural metal materials that weather and change over time, such as copper that ages naturally into a soft green patina, are also highly-prized.

In general, MRA says homeowners are gravitating toward “lived in” looks, choosing metal roofing color tones that have more depth and contrast.

“Homeowners have gone through significant challenges and changes this past year,” said Renee Ramey, executive director, MRA. “There’s a longing and desire for things that have a connection to the past and will stand the test of time, and that’s driving the popularity for some of the vintage looks we’re seeing for 2019.”

Whatever the color trends, the lesson of 2018 has driven home that above all, performance matters most. Quality metal roofs are among the most energy efficient, durable, longest-lasting and have Class A fire ratings and the ability to survive F-2 tornado force winds. Ramey emphasizes that quality over color should always be the top consideration when choosing a metal roof that is designed to last 50-plus years and will protect homes against severe weather and climate extremes. Before falling in love with a color choice, MRA offers these tips for how to choose a quality metal roof designed to stand the test of time:

1. Experience matters: Choose a metal roof from a reputable manufacturer and installer. Do your homework and make sure they are experienced and will stand behind the product and installation.
2. Pay attention to ratings: Metal gauge and thickness matters. Make sure the material is properly rated and meets or exceeds regional codes for your area.
3. Be picky about warranties: Get them in writing for both the product and installation and analyze them to determine what they cover, for how long and whether they are transferable.
4. Brush up on your metal: Verify what kind of metal is being used, what protective coatings it has and what standards it has been tested against.
5. Know that if a deal seems to good to be true, it probably is: Protect yourself against cheap, inferior material by checking on business standings and getting referrals. Short-term savings are never worth the significant long-term costs and damage that can result from poor quality material or installation practices.