If you’re replacing your roof, shingle color might not be the first thing on your mind. However, the shade you choose has a dramatic effect on your home’s overall appearance and curb appeal. Figuring out how to pick roof shingle colors can be a challenge, so we’ve put together a guide that will help you choose the best shade for your home.
Factors for Choosing the Best Shingle Color
Picking out new shingles might seem like an easy decision at first, but there are quite a few factors you’ll want to consider. Before getting too far in the decision-making process, ask yourself these questions:
- What roofing material do you want? Shingles come in a wide range of shades, but your options will vary depending on whether you want asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or other materials.
- What is your home’s exterior color palette? When choosing a new roof, consider your siding, door color, and even your landscaping. To boost curb appeal, your roof should coordinate with all these elements.
- How will your home fit in with the neighborhood? Choosing a drastically different color than neighboring houses might make your home stand out, which can affect curb appeal. If your neighborhood has an HOA, don’t forget to check if it limits your palette.
- Will the color affect your home’s energy efficiency? In Minnesota, we’re faced with all kinds of weather extremes. Darker roofs will absorb heat, which is great in the winter but possibly a drawback in the summer.
How to Pick Roof Shingle Colors for Your Home
Even if you live in a development with nearly identical houses, each home is unique in its own way. The best shingle color for your house might be completely different than your neighbor's. Here are a few ways to think about the ideal color:
Warm vs. Cool Colors
A good way to choose a shade is to consider whether your home has warm or cool colors. For example, gray shingles pair well with almost any home. However, you might want to choose a warm gray if your home is red, yellow, beige, or brown. On the other hand, cool gray shingles will look great if your home is green, blue, white, or gray, as shown above.
High vs. Low Contrast
Another factor to consider is how much contrast you want to create between your roof and siding. You can create a dramatic presence by pairing a dark roof with light siding. Alternatively, choosing coordinating colors for your roof and siding can give your home a harmonious feeling.
Mixing Palettes
Sometimes, the best color combinations are unexpected. For example, if you’re wondering how to choose a roof color for a red brick house, brown shingles are a natural choice, as shown above. However, green shingles can look fantastic paired with brick as well. Red and green are opposites on the color wheel, but this stark contrast can look great on a home.
What is the most popular shingle color?
When getting a new roof, it’s also natural to ask what colors are trending now. There’s no harm in looking at popular colors and materials for inspiration. However, your roof is one of your home’s more enduring features, so it’s important not to choose a color just because it’s popular now. Roofs in Minnesota last an average of 20 to 25 years, so you’ll want to pick a color you like for the long haul.
That said, roof color trends change, just like paint colors and other design elements. At All Elements, Inc., our roofing contractors are experts in choosing great colors and materials, so you don’t need to worry about your home looking dated or out of place.
Your roof accounts for nearly 40% of your home’s exterior appearance, so it’s important to get it right. When you need a new roof, trust All Elements, Inc. to help you choose the best color for your home.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your new roof!