How to Pick Out a Shingle Color
A roof’s color says a lot about your home. It boosts (or damages) curb appeal and creates an instant impression.
When selecting shingles, look at actual samples in natural light conditions rather than in a studio or with color-altered photos. You also need to consider your neighborhood’s aesthetics.
Look at Your Neighbors’ Roofs
When picking shingle colors, it’s important to look at what’s currently on the houses in your neighborhood. This is especially true if you’re considering selling your home in the future; buyers may be put off by an unusual roof color.
In general, dark neutral shingles go well with a wide range of home siding colors and tend to blend in nicely with neighboring roofs. These colors also work well with most architectural styles, from traditional Cape Cod and Tudor homes to contemporary designs.
On the other hand, if your home has a unique style that’s set apart from those around you, consider taking a risk with your roof color. Just be sure that your exterior colors and other features like shutters, doors and eavestroughing compliment the roof color you choose.
If you’re unsure about which colors might work best for your house, ask local roofing companies to provide you with sample boards. This way, you can see the colors in person and test them against your siding, in different lighting, and in real-world conditions.
Be aware that darker shingles absorb more sunlight, so they can potentially be more costly to maintain over time. If this is a concern for you, ask your roofing company if they offer light-colored shingles that can reflect more heat and reduce energy costs.
Look at the Shingles
When deciding on your roof color, you need to look at the actual shingles. You can ask your roofing contractor for a sample of different shingle colors and try them out on your home. Small samples are often hard to see how they will appear once they are stretched across the entire roof, so it is important to drive around your neighborhood and look at existing shingle colors in real life. This will help you pick a color that will compliment your house well without clashing with the rest of your exterior color scheme.
You should also consider what shingle colors are popular in your area. Many communities have a certain style that is followed by most homeowners, and it is best to stick with this if possible. For example, if your neighbors have gray or brown shingles on their homes, it would be best to match this color in order to avoid having your home stand out among the neighborhood.
If you have a brick home, for example, a simple black or dark gray shingle will complement the colors of your brick very well. The natural color of these shingles will help accent the architectural features of your home and let the artistry of the brick shine through.
Look at the Color of Your Siding
The overall color scheme of your house will also influence which shingle colors you should choose. For example, if your home has red bricks on the front and sides, brown or gray shingles will look best with those colors. The same is true for homes with wood accents.
If your home is surrounded by greenery, light shingle colors will make it blend in with the trees and bushes. If your home is in the mountains or on a lake, dark shingle colors can also work well with those natural surroundings.
Ask your roofing contractor for large samples of all the shingle colors you’re interested in. It’s much easier to compare them when they are in person rather than on a small swatch pad. Plus, you can test them outside to see how they look in different lighting and with your home’s siding.
You can also use online home visualizer tools to see how different shingle colors will look on your house. Just be aware that online photos of shingles can be misleading, as they may be edited and can vary in appearance based on your computer monitor’s brightness and settings.
Look at the Color of Your Eavestroughing
Choosing the right roof color is a big decision that can make or break the look of your home. It’s important to take into consideration your neighborhood, the style of your house, homeowner’s association rules, personal preference and even energy costs when selecting shingle colors for your home.
Fortunately, there are a few tips you can follow to help you choose the best shingle color for your home. Start by looking at your neighbors’ roofs to see what color they have. This will give you an idea of what colors would work well with your siding and home’s overall appearance. You can also use a virtual home visualizer tool to see what different colors will look like on your house.
The next step is to look at the trim, shutters, front door and landscaping to make sure they complement the shingle colors you are considering. You will want to avoid having the shingles stand out too much or detract from other parts of your home. Lastly, it is always a good idea to view the shingle colors in person and in natural light. Photos can look very different and may be altered by lighting, camera settings, etc.
Once you have taken these steps, it should be much easier to pick out a shingle color that compliments your home and suits your aesthetic preferences. If you are still having trouble, ask your roofing contractor to show you some samples and discuss options with them.
