We use the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to model the spectral properties of frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) at normal incidence in the 1-10 microm wavelength. At these wavelengths the usual assumption that the metallic portions of a FSS are infinitesimally thin perfect conductors are no longer valid. We include the effects of dispersive complex conductivity for real metals and dispersive permittivity for dielectric materials by developing a unified approach that is especially suited for use in FDTD simulations. We concentrate on the finite nature of the metallic conductivity and its variation with wavelength in FSS structures. Our simulation results indicate that the resonant spectrum of a FSS in this wavelength range depends not only on the geometry of the structure and the dielectric substrate present, but also critically on the dispersive properties of the metal species used for the conductors.