Selecting a color for your roof is not an easy task. The right color can boost your home’s curb appeal, but the wrong color can hurt your home’s appearance. Since a new roof can last for twenty years or even longer, choosing a color that you and future buyers will appreciate is important.
There are many beautiful roof and house color combinations. When selecting new roofing materials, your home’s color, style, and the surrounding neighborhood are essential factors to consider.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Roof Color
1. Your Home’s Exterior Colors
Select a roofing material with a color that complements your siding, brickwork, trim, or shutters. For example, a brown roof complements tan or cream-colored siding, while a dark gray roof works well with light blue or light gray siding. A red brick house looks good with dark brown, deep gray, or black shingles. A medium gray shingle is a popular choice because it complements a variety of exterior siding colors.
2. The Architectural Design of Your Home
When choosing a roof color, keep your home’s architectural style in mind. Victorian-style homes often have roofs in blended grays, reds, and greens. A Mediterranean-style home looks best with a traditional terracotta tile roof. Colonial-style homes usually have light-colored siding, and dark shutters, so black or brown shingles are classic color choices.
3. Your Home’s Setting and Neighborhood
The natural colors surrounding your home play an important role in color selection. Lakefront properties often have a light or blue roof tone to reflect the water setting. A green roof looks appropriate in a rustic or wooded setting. A traditional home looks better within a busy suburb or city environment with a black, dark brown, or dark gray roof. Look at the roofs in your area and choose a shingle that harmonizes with nearby homes. If you have a homeowner’s association, make sure your roofing materials and colors comply with any subdivision rules.
4. Energy Efficiency
Some shingles now have energy-efficient ratings. If you live in an area with intense summer heat, choosing cool roofing materials can help lower energy bills. Lighter colors tend to reflect more of the sun’s UV rays. Darker colors tend to absorb heat instead of reflecting it. The color of your shingle selection alone won’t have a huge impact on energy savings. That will depend mainly on the quality of your attic’s insulation and ventilation. But as part of an overall energy-efficient home, many people choose roofing materials that contribute to a better energy footprint.
Other Things to Remember
- Lighter-colored asphalt shingles will make your home appear larger, while darker colors are better at hiding imperfections.
- Homogeneous colored shingles can look flat or one-dimensional. Choose a shingle that combines many complementary colors to add dimension and pattern.
- Choose a less patterned shingle color if your home has a multi-colored brick exterior to create a cleaner, more streamlined look.
- Shingle color should be darker than the body of the house. A darker roof helps ground a house visually in space. The exception to the rule is if the siding is extremely dark.
- Match the shingles on your utility sheds, detached garages, and even dog houses for a cohesive look.
- Most real estate experts agree that the right color choices help sell a house, while poor color choices can devalue your home. If you’re planning to sell your home, choose a roof color that blends with your neighborhood.
- Use technology to help narrow down your choices. Many shingle manufacturers now offer online tools that help you visualize how different colors will look on your home. You can upload a photo of your house or pick one of the many house templates they already have loaded.
- Always ask your roofing contractor for addresses where you can see shingle colors on real houses versus small samples or online. An experienced roofing contractor has done many installations and will be happy to provide this information.
In general, a coordinated approach is best for exterior design. Your roof makes up a significant part of your home’s exterior, so choosing colors that coordinate with the rest of your home as well as the surrounding neighborhood is always a good idea. Selecting a classic color scheme rather than a trendy look will stand the test of time and appeal to potential buyers.
Work With a Trusted Local Roofing Company
Since 1999, Brian Dawson Roofing has installed residential and commercial roofing systems throughout the greater St. Louis region. Because all of our work is done under warranty and fully insured, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your new roof is dependable and long-lasting.
Contact us online or at (636) 733-6435 to schedule a free inspection and consultation. Our experienced professionals will arrive on time, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to detect leaks and other problems your roof may be facing. Our mission is to provide quality roofing services and top-notch customer service, all at a competitive price.