Colors that suit each brick
Because metal is one solid color, it should share the brick's undertone. A cool grey metal on orange-red brick can make the brick look more orange; a warm dark bronze makes it look richer.
- Red or orange brick: dark bronze, charcoal, black, or a deep barn red for a traditional rural look.
- Brown or tan brick: dark bronze, brown tones or charcoal with a warm base.
- Grey, charcoal or painted white brick: black, charcoal, slate grey or silver.
- Multi-colored brick: pick the darkest tone in the brick and match the roof to it.
- Copper: a premium option that starts bright and darkens over years, used most often on bay roofs and accents.
Finish and gloss
Most residential metal roofs use a low-gloss or matte painted finish, which looks closer to traditional roofing and reduces glare. Higher-grade resin-based coatings generally resist fading and chalking longer than basic polyester paints, which matters most with dark and red colors. Ask about the paint system and its fade and chalk warranty, not just the metal warranty.
Standing seam has a visible vertical line pattern; stone-coated metal looks more like shakes or shingles and suits traditional brick houses that would look odd with seams.
Climate notes for Canada and the northern US
Metal sheds snow quickly. Install snow guards above entrances, walkways, decks and over lower roofs, and keep planting away from the drip line where sliding snow lands. Over a solid deck with underlayment and attic insulation, rain noise is usually similar to other roofs.
Metal roofs commonly last 40 to 70 years depending on the metal and coating, which is longer than most brick owners will repaint trim several times over. Choose a color you will still like after several trim and door changes.
Checks before ordering
Some associations and heritage districts restrict metal roofs or specific colors. Ask for a full-size panel sample, prop it against the brick, and view it from the street in morning and late afternoon light. The cost of metal varies with the profile, metal type, roof complexity and pitch, and is usually higher up front than asphalt shingles.
Gutters, trim and windows
Metal roof trim, including drip edge, ridge caps and rake trim, is usually supplied in the roof color. Gutters can match the roof or the house trim; on brick houses, matching gutters to the roof often looks cleaner than white gutters against dark metal.
Window color should relate to the roof. Dark bronze windows with a dark bronze roof on red brick is a coordinated, traditional look. Black windows suit black or charcoal roofs. White windows with a dark metal roof still work but read more traditional.
If you also plan to paint the brick, pick the roof color first. The roof will last much longer and the paint can be chosen to suit it.
