How to Choose the Best Style and Shingle Color for Your Roof
Your choice of roofing material and shingle color plays a huge role in how your home is perceived. Pick the wrong style or shade, and you risk making your roof stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Selecting a roof involves more than just aesthetics. You need to factor in elements like your home’s existing color scheme, architectural design, surrounding environment, and even the roofing choices in your neighborhood. Keeping these aspects in mind will help you choose the ideal roof to complement your home. Let’s explore what you need to know.
Harmonizing with Existing Colors and Exterior Features
A well-chosen roof shingle color should enhance your home’s exterior without creating a monotonous or overly “matched” look. The goal is to coordinate aesthetically with the rest of your home’s features, such as trim, shutters, siding, stone, or brick.
Brick Colors: Brick exteriors are quite versatile. Most brick colors pair nicely with brown, gray, or black roofs.
Warm Exterior Tones: For warm-toned stones (browns, creams, oranges, tans) or for similarly warm siding, opt for a brown roof, which works harmoniously to create a natural, cohesive feel.
Cool Exterior Tones: Homes featuring cool colors like grays, blues, or off-whites are better suited to black or gray roofs, which create a crisp, modern contrast. A dark roof is particularly effective at emphasizing fresh, clean trim in cool tones like dark gray or black.
The takeaway? Pay attention to your home’s current colors and focus on finding a complementary, not identical, shingle color that amplifies your home’s beauty.
Considering Style and Architecture
Every home has its own architectural identity, and your roof should align with that style. A poor match between roofing material and home design can detract from your property’s overall curb appeal.
– For example, Spanish or Mediterranean-style homes call for terracotta tiles, not generic asphalt shingles.
– On the other hand, traditional slate shingles might look out of place on simple ranch-style homes. This is where more modest and functional materials work best.
Before making a decision, identify your home’s architectural style. Do some research to see what type of roof works best for that particular look. This will ensure your roof enhances, not clashes with, your home’s overall style.
Factoring in Environmental Influences
Your roof doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s subject to the climate and natural surroundings of your location. These external factors can help guide your color and material choices.
Climate Considerations: Dark roofs absorb more heat from sunlight. If your home is in a warm climate, opting for a lighter-toned roof can help keep your house cooler. Conversely, in colder climates, dark-colored shingles can help retain warmth during winter months.
Surrounding Landscape:
– In dry, desert-like areas, neutral earth tones like tan, brown, or beige help your home blend seamlessly with the environment.
– If your property is situated in a wooded area, consider a gray roof with green undertones that complements the surrounding trees. Pair it with darker green shutters for an earthy, cohesive look.
Your roof should feel like a continuation of your home’s surroundings, not something that looks out of place.
Seeking Shingle Color Expert Advice
When in doubt, turn to the pros for guidance. Companies like GAF offer a range of designer shingle options with various colors and styles to suit different homes. Explore their collections to discover shingles that add personality and charm to your home.
Still feeling unsure about which roof color is right for you? Or perhaps you’re also debating gutter selections to match your new roof? Reach out to trusted professionals like Muth & Company Roofing. Call (614) 682-3060 to speak with one of their knowledgeable product specialists who can help you make an informed decision.