Too often, those of us immersed in the metal roofing industry lose track of the big picture. We talk about details and testing and tools and engineering, which are great, because they are all critical factors that play a role in a metal roof’s performance.

But none of those things would be relevant if metal wasn’t the most beautiful and versatile roofing material available. If metal didn’t look good sitting atop a residence, office, church, or school, none of those other things would matter.

This is what The Idea Book is here to celebrate, the colors, angles, functions, and other design options made possible only by metal. In this publication, you will see fine examples of everything metal roofing has to offer an architect or specifier involved in roof design.

*Metal can be coated in any color you can imagine, from Crimson Red to Forest Green to Light Bronze. The coil coatings of today look better and will retain their appearance longer than their predecessors, and the technology is improving all the time. If the specific color you are looking for doesn’t appear on a manufacturer’s color chart, just ask, their paint supplier can probably whip up a batch of what you need.

*Steel, and to a lesser extent aluminum, are standard metal roofing substrates, but by no means do the possibilities end there. Our signature projects use copper, zinc, and zinc/tin-coated stainless steel, and our exotic metals section features a magnesium-enhanced steel product, titanium, and weathered steel. These bare naked metals, as we call them, are every bit as attractive as painted products.

*Versatility is one of metal’s finest assets. The straight, vertical lines of a standing seam system are metal roofing’s calling card, but vertical panels can take on a number of shapes. Check out the undulating panels on the transportation facilities, floating home, and church, or the winery lodge where four curved roof sections meet in the middle.

*If you design roofs in a part of the country where tile, slate, or comp shingle  are the dominant architectural style, and customers are skittish about being the first ones on the block with a different-looking roof, metal has you and your design covered. Metal shingle products are masters of disguise, and can be seamlessly integrated into any setting. That shake roof in Washington, or that clay tile roof in Florida? It may as well be metal, a lighter, more durable product that outperforms the real thing.

Make no mistake about it, The Idea Book is a departure from Metal Roofing Magazine’s regular editorial focus.

And remember, this publication just scratches the surface. Everyone involved in metal roofing has a good idea. We want you to share yours with the world.

Click the links below to download .pdf files of the projects featured.

ABC - American Building Components
ATAS International
Berridge Manufacturing
Central States Manufacturing
Classic Products
Custom-Bilt Metals
Dura-Loc Roofing
Englert
Everlast Roofing
Fabral
Follansbee Steel
IMETCO
Jenisys Engineered Products
Kassel & Irons
McElroy Metal
Met-Tile
Metro Roof Products
New Tech Machinery
Petersen Aluminum
RHEINZINK
MetalWorks by TAMKO
Una-Clad/Firestone Metal Products