I totally get the hesitation about not seeing the panels in person. I was the same way until a couple years ago when I ordered custom-color standing seam for my shed. The first batch actually showed up with a few scratches—looked like someone got a little too enthusiastic with the forklift. I braced for a hassle, but the supplier replaced them without much argument, just asked for photos. Shipping did add a chunk to the cost, but honestly, the color and finish were spot on, and the gauge checked out with my calipers. Still, it’s a leap of faith if you’re picky about finish or want to match existing stuff. Local yards are great for peace of mind, but their selection is usually pretty limited... especially if you want something other than barn red or galvanized.
I’ve run into the same thing with local yards—great if you want basic stuff, but the minute you want a weird color or a heavier gauge, it’s like pulling teeth. I actually tried ordering panels online for my garage last year. Here’s how it went: First, I requested a few small color samples (some places will send these for free or cheap). That helped a ton, because what looks “forest green” on a screen can be way off in real life.
When the panels showed up, I checked every one for dings and scratches before signing off on delivery. There were a couple with bent corners, but I snapped pics and emailed them right away. The supplier replaced those without much fuss, but it did delay things by about a week.
If you’re picky about matching existing roofs or trim, it’s worth being patient and double-checking everything. And yeah, shipping isn’t cheap, but if you’re after something specific, sometimes there’s just no way around it. Local pickup is less risky for damage, but the selection is usually barebones... unless you’re into that classic barn look.
I get the appeal of ordering online for the color options, but honestly, I’ve had better luck just calling around to smaller supply shops a bit outside my area. Sometimes they’ll special order what you want, and you can pick it up yourself—cuts out the shipping risk and cost. Not always fast, but I’d rather drive an hour than deal with bent panels and delays. Guess it depends how picky you are about matching, but for me, seeing the product in person before paying is worth the hassle.
That’s interesting—do you ever run into issues with the smaller shops not having enough selection, or is it usually just a matter of waiting for them to order it in? I’ve thought about doing the same, but I’m a little worried about color matching since my house is older and the existing panels have faded a bit. Have you had any luck getting a good match, or is it always a bit of a gamble? I do like the idea of seeing the panels before buying, though... had a bad experience with a dented shipment once and it was a pain to return.
I get where you’re coming from about wanting to see the panels in person—nothing worse than dealing with returns on heavy, awkward stuff like roofing. But honestly, I’ve had better luck with the bigger suppliers, even if it means rolling the dice on shipping. The smaller shops near me just don’t have much in stock, and when they do order, it takes forever and sometimes costs more per panel. Plus, their color selection is usually pretty limited.
About matching faded panels—yeah, that’s always tricky. Even if you see them in person, the new ones are never going to be a perfect match for old, sun-bleached metal. I tried bringing in a sample once and the closest they had was still noticeably off. Ended up just replacing a whole section so it looked intentional instead of patchy.
If you’re really budget-conscious (like me), sometimes it’s worth checking out surplus or seconds from bigger distributors. You might find something close enough for way less money, and if you’re replacing a whole side or section, the mismatch isn’t as obvious. Just my two cents—sometimes convenience wins out over seeing every piece before you buy.
