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Metal roofing in Herndon, VA: what the Town's Guidelines say, and what they leave out
The Town of Herndon's 2020 Historic District Overlay Guidelines mention metal roofs in at least seven places, from the style pages to the roof chapters. They say how a new standing seam roof should match an old one. They do not name a metal, a paint system or a color. This page reads the text line by line, then turns to the trade papers on finishes and color matching for the questions the Town leaves open.
- Seven places in the Guidelines name metal roofs
- Pan width, seam height and crimp pattern: the match test
- No paint system or color is named for metal
Where the Guidelines mention metal
The Town's Historic District Overlay Guidelines, 2020, run well over a hundred pages. Reading the stored copy for every mention of metal roofing gives the list below. Page numbers are the printed ones in the footer.
- Page 26, Folk Victorian housesThe list of character-defining features includes "Stamped or standing seam metal roofs are common."
- Page 29, Queen Anne housesComplex roofs, which in Herndon are generally clad in stamped metal shingles or standing seam metal.
- Page 30, Vernacular housesStamped metal shingle roofs sit in the list of local traditions beside wood clapboard or board and batten siding.
- Page 42, the roof chapter openingTypical roofing materials are named as stamped metal shingles, standing seam metal and modern replacement asphalt shingles.
- Pages 43 to 45, contributing buildingsA metal-specific block plus the replacement rules covered in the next section.
- Page 94, noncontributing buildingsReplacement in kind or with a compatible alternative, with a color test.
- Page 122, new detached housesMetal shingles or standing seam panels are "encouraged" on primary or secondary roofs.
Colonial Revival (English) on page 31 mentions slate, not metal. Roofs on the downtown commercial buildings are not described in these style pages.
The Herndon roofing page explains how the Town sorts a roof into district or non-district review paths. This page stays with the metal text.
The rules for contributing and noncontributing roofs
The Guidelines split roofs by how the Town rates the building. The two columns below set out what each says that bears on a metal roof.
Contributing building (pages 43 to 45)
- Retain and restore historic metal roofs, inspecting them routinely.
- Maintain existing coatings. Re-paint and re-coat as needed, using a professional experienced with metal roofs.
- Avoid elastomeric coatings. The text says they are not reversible.
- No tar-based repair materials. Clear silicone-based caulk is allowed for temporary repairs.
- New metal roofs should match pan width, seam height and crimp pattern for standing seam.
- Rule out worn flashings, leaky gutters and poor attic ventilation before replacing.
Noncontributing building (page 94)
- Replace in kind, or with an alternative material compatible with the district.
- Colors should complement the structure and, in the text's words, "reflect traditional roof colors found in the district for the particular type of material."
- Pitch and eaves should not change with the new material.
- Think about whether roof accessories are kept, replaced or removed.
Two other sentences matter to a metal owner. When a historic roof is replaced, accessories such as snow guards, copper flashing and ridge vents are to be kept and reinstalled or matched. And where an exact match is not possible, the alternative should convey the same shape, size, color, profile, pattern, texture and finish. The word finish appears in that list, which makes it a question to settle, since the text never defines it.
The Town's Reference Guide rates replacement roofing as a staff decision and exempts paint color changes. It does not list metal on its own row.
What the text does not say
A search of the whole Guidelines file for metal types, paint systems, gauges and color lists turned up nothing in the roof sections. Copper appears only for slate fasteners and flashing accessories. That silence is the finding: the Town describes a look and a match test, and leaves the product choices to the applicant and staff.
- The metal itself
- Steel, aluminum, zinc and copper are not distinguished in the roof text.
- The paint system
- No finish chemistry is named. Only "coatings" to be maintained, and "finish" in the alternative-material list.
- A color palette
- The noncontributing text points to traditional roof colors in the district but gives no list, chip or sample.
- Gloss and panel width
- Not mentioned, except pan width for matching a historic standing seam roof.
Ask staff in writing what evidence they want for a match: photographs, a measured sketch of the seams, a physical chip. Book a phone consultation to talk through a Herndon metal roof, and bring the property address and street-facing photos.
Finish and coating: the trade papers
Because the Town does not name a finish, the Metal Construction Association (MCA) papers fill in the vocabulary. MCA says almost all metal roof products are protected by high-performance coatings, that copper and zinc are often left unfinished because they form a natural patina, and that most architectural metal roofs carry a paint finish. It names fluoropolymer finishes, typically PVDF or FEVE, as the usual first thought of designers, and powder coating as an alternative that can cover every exposed surface.
This matters in the district because the Guidelines ask owners to maintain existing coatings. A roof's current coating decides which touch-up system suits it.
MCA's touch-up paper pairs the factory finish with the field paint that suits it:
| Factory finish on the panel | Air-dry touch-up system MCA lists |
|---|---|
| PVDF or FEVE fluoropolymer | PVDF or FEVE |
| Silicone modified polyester (super polyester) | PVDF or FEVE |
| Standard polyester | Acrylic lacquer |
Source: Metal Construction Association, touch-up paint white paper (7/2022, version 2), opened October 19, 2026. MCA does not endorse field-applied paint and says acceptance is at the discretion of others.
The same paper says to consult the panel supplier before painting, and that in some cases replacing the panel is the better route. It adds that some regions regulate solvent emissions, so local authorities should be asked first. Whether the Town's staff treat touch-up paint as maintenance or as a change is not stated in the Guidelines.
Color matching questions
MCA says touch-up and factory paint "will most likely not ever match or weather exactly the same."
Metal Construction Association, touch-up paint white paper
For a Herndon owner, that sentence sits beside the Town's "traditional roof colors" test. The steps below follow how MCA describes color work.
- Start with a physical sample. MCA's coil paper says a paint chip or sample is needed to match a custom color, otherwise "a guessing game." It notes there are over 200 shades of paint called white.
- Expect a small sample. Custom coil samples are made in a lab by hand with drawdown rods, and are often only 3 by 4 inches, not the larger size many specifications ask for.
- Say whether the color is metallic. MCA calls metallic and pearlescent colors extremely difficult to match in the field, and says metallic finishes shift slightly darker under a clear coat.
- Keep repairs small. MCA says to minimize the area being repaired.
- Put the match in the scope. The Town asks for a match on color, profile and finish. A written scope that names the seam measurements and the paint system gives staff something to review.
- Photographs of every street-facing roof plane, with a coin or ruler beside a seam.
- A sample or chip taken from a spot that sees the sun, not a shaded edge.
- The name of the current coating, if the original supplier or installer is known.
- Whether the building is contributing or noncontributing, confirmed with staff.
For the general picture of metal systems see the metal roofing guide, the roofing materials overview, roof replacement and services. Back to the Herndon roofing page for permit steps.
Documents and dates checked
The Town's website blocks automated downloads, so its documents are archived copies. MCA pages and papers were opened October 19, 2026.
- Town of Herndon, Historic District Overlay Guidelines, 2020 (archived copy, October 28, 2025; text searched October 19, 2026)
- Town of Herndon, Property Modifications Reference Guide (archived copy, April 21, 2026)
- Metal Construction Association, touch-up paint systems on metal panels
- Metal Construction Association, custom painted coil samples
- Metal Construction Association, powder coating and steep slope metal roofs
Questions people ask
Do Herndon's Historic District Guidelines allow a standing seam metal roof?
The Guidelines treat standing seam and stamped metal as typical district roofing and encourage metal shingles or standing seam panels on new detached houses. For an existing contributing building, they ask a new metal roof to match the old one. Ask Town staff about your address.
What does "matching" mean for a standing seam roof under the Town's text?
The contributing-building section names pan width, seam height and crimp pattern for standing seam roofs, and asks for matching composition, shape, size, color, profile, pattern and texture overall. Photographs and measurements of the existing roof show those items.
Does the Town say which paint finish a metal roof must have?
No. The Guidelines were searched for finish and paint terms, and none appears in the roof text. They do ask that existing coatings be maintained and that a professional experienced with metal repaint or recoat a failing coating.
Can I use an elastomeric roof coating on an old metal roof in the district?
For contributing buildings the Guidelines say to avoid elastomeric coatings because they are not reversible. Ask Town staff before choosing any coating, because the text is written for historic roofs.
Is it fine to patch a metal roof with tar?
The Guidelines say not to use tar-based materials for repairs because they are hard to remove, and describe clear silicone-based caulk as acceptable for temporary repairs. They add that metal patches and repair flashings often require soldering.
Why can new metal never match old metal exactly in color?
The Metal Construction Association says field-applied touch-up paint and a factory finish will most likely not ever match or weather the same, and that metallic and pearlescent colors are especially hard to match. A paint chip or sample from the roof helps.
How is a noncontributing building's metal roof judged differently?
The noncontributing roof section allows replacement in kind or with a compatible alternative, asks for colors that complement the building and reflect traditional district roof colors for that material, and says pitch and eaves should not change.
Where do I find out whether my building is contributing or noncontributing?
The Town's Historic District FAQ says its maps show which properties are inside the district and that each structure is rated contributing or noncontributing. Email historicdistrict@herndon-va.gov to confirm your property.
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