How to Choose the Right Metal Roof Style for Your Home
Quick answer
Match the profile to your home's architecture: Slate and Cedar Shingle suit traditional and craftsman homes, Shake gives a rustic cabin look, Mediterranean Tile fits Spanish and stucco homes, and Standing Seam suits modern and farmhouse designs. All Interlock profiles are lifetime aluminum with the same performance — so choose on looks, then color.
Start with your home's architecture
The best metal roof style is the one that looks like it belongs on your home. Because all of Interlock's profiles are the same lifetime aluminum with identical durability and warranty, the decision is aesthetic — which frees you to choose the look you love. As a starting point: slate and cedar-shingle textures flatter traditional, colonial, and craftsman homes; a deep shake profile suits rustic and cabin styles; barrel tile completes Spanish, Mediterranean, and stucco homes; and standing seam sharpens modern, contemporary, and farmhouse designs.
The four profiles at a glance
Interlock Slate and Cedar Shingle replicate natural stone and wood shake with a refined, low-gloss finish. Interlock Shake gives a deeper, hand-split cedar texture for a rustic look without the rot or fire risk of real wood. Interlock Mediterranean Tile delivers the rolling barrel profile of Spanish clay tile at about 96% less weight. Interlock Standing Seam provides clean vertical lines and concealed clips for a crisp modern statement. Each comes in the full range of Alunar designer colors with color-matched trims.
Then choose color and finish
Once the profile is set, color does the rest. Interlock's Alunar PVDF finish comes in designer colors that are all cool-roof capable — lighter and specialty shades reflect more solar heat, while every color carries a high thermal emissivity that sheds heat. Consider your home's exterior palette, neighborhood or HOA guidelines, and climate (more reflective colors help in hot regions). A roof visualizer or a physical sample makes the final choice easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metal roof style is best for my house?
Match the profile to your architecture: slate and cedar shingle for traditional and craftsman homes, shake for rustic, Mediterranean tile for Spanish/stucco, and standing seam for modern and farmhouse homes. All Interlock profiles share the same aluminum performance.
Does the metal roof style affect durability?
No. All Interlock profiles are the same lifetime aluminum with the same certifications and warranty, so choosing a style is purely about looks — you don't trade performance for aesthetics.
What is the most popular metal roof style?
Slate and shake profiles are popular for their traditional curb appeal, while standing seam is favored on modern and farmhouse homes. The right choice depends on your home's architecture and your taste.
Can I see the styles on my home before deciding?
Yes — a roof visualizer lets you preview profiles and colors on a home like yours, and Interlock can provide physical color samples to confirm your choice before installation.
Sources
- Interlock — Metal Roofing Profiles — Profiles & styles
Explore Interlock Metal Roofing
Last reviewed 2026-07-11 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing