Brand developers and marketers spend countless hours studying the effects colors have on their customers and clients.
Color has a psychological effect on us and creates an unconscious response.
The same concept applies to your home’s roof.
The colors you choose for the exterior of your home send a message.
They boost (or damage) curb appeal and create an instant judgment about your home as a whole. Your roof accounts for about 40% of your home’s visual exterior, so it’s time to think carefully about how to pick roof shingle colors.
7 Factors To Consider When Picking a Roof Shingle Color
The last thing you want is a house that looks unkempt, clumsy, or confusing.
Shingles are not a one-size-fits-all product. What looks beautiful on your neighbor’s roof may not fit your aesthetic.
Instead, your roof shingle colors should blend in seamlessly with your home’s architecture, and natural surroundings, and still fit in with your neighborhood.
Here are 7 factors to consider when picking a roof shingle color.
How To Match Roof Shingles to Your Home’s Basic Exterior
Your roof shingle color should blend with your home’s exterior and the surrounding environment.
Each siding color has a few shingle color combinations that work well.
Consider these complementing colors based on the main exterior of your home.
| If your main exterior color is: | Choose from these roof shingle colors: |
|---|---|
| Red | Dark Brown, Black, Gray, Green |
| Light Gray | Gray, Black, Green, Blue, White |
| Tan/Beige/Cream | Black, Brown, Gray, Green, Blue |
| Brown | Gray, Brown, Green, Blue |
| White | Almost any color including Brown, Gray, Black, Green, Blue, and White |
| Weathered Wood or Log Houses | Brown, Green, Black, Gray |
| Blue | Brown/Tan, Light Gray (if dark blue), Dark Gray (if light blue), Black (if light blue) |
| Green | Tan, Gray, Black |
| Dark Gray | Light Brown, Light Gray, Tan |
| Yellow | Green, Gray (light and dark), Black |
| Black/Charcoal | Gray, Light Gray, Red, Green |
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, don’t underestimate the power of the little things.
Trim, shutters, the front door, landscaping, and any other exterior details can change the look of the roof drastically. It’s important to consider the entire look as a whole and use the details to bring everything together.
Use this tool below from Owens Corning to see what each shingle color would look like on your home!
4 Tips for Picking a Roof Color
Still not sure what to do?
No problem.
We are here to help.
These four tips from the pros will help you to narrow down your choices and pick the one that will bring out the best in your home.
- Don’t limit yourself to what you already have on your roof. When you have been staring at the same roof for over a decade, it can be hard to picture it as something different. Don’t assume that what you already have has to stay, consider new options that might be the next best thing.
- See the shingle colors on someone’s roof. You can get in your car or hop on your computer and see hundreds of homes in a matter of minutes. Look at your favorite shingle colors on different homes in different areas to see what you like best.
- View samples in different light conditions. Always be sure to check the shingle color in the morning, mid-day, and evening lighting. The light conditions can change the look of the home and roof. Consider landscape and nighttime lighting as well to choose a roof shingle color that looks beautiful all day long.
- Consider hiring a home designer. If you find yourself stuck, a home designer can help get the wheels turning in the right direction. You can get a consultation from a local professional in your area who can help produce the look you want.
FAQs on How To Pick Roof Shingle Colors
While home trends are constantly changing, there are a few hues that you can’t go wrong with.
The most popular shingle colors are:
- dark brown hues similar to autumn colors
- light brown hues like sand, taupe, and desert shades
- green mossy and forest hues
- blue hues like denim, navy, and blue-green shades
- off-white hues mixed with stone, tan, and khakis
Each year, Owens Corning releases their Shingle Color of the Year to highlight the next popular color. Be sure to check out this year’s shingle color.
It absolutely can. Your choice of roof shingle colors can increase or lower your energy costs because the roof receives a majority of the direct sun rays. The color of shingle you have can determine how much heat gets into your home. Darker shingles absorb more heat, which makes your house hotter and requires more energy to cool the home, resulting in increased costs.
While there is not a “best seller” in roof shingle colors, you’ll get the best resale value by what looks good in your area and fits well in the neighborhood. Typically, neutral roof shingle colors work best and keep their resale value over time.
Fifty Shades of Shingles
Roof shingle colors are often a very overlooked part of your house.
While countertops and carpet may get more attention, your roof shingles account for nearly half of your home’s exterior finishing.
You can never go wrong with the basic color choices for shingles, especially if you don’t feel confident matching a unique roof color to your siding.
If you need a little direction, consult with your roofing contractor, an interior designer, or look for examples online of what you think looks good.
Start to refine your choices and establish the colors and textures that you like to create the home of your dreams. Abrams Roofing & Sheet Metal is your one-stop shop for all your Louisville, KY roof repair, replacement, and other roofing needs
If your roof needs attention, give us a call today!
