We all hold a soft spot for our favorite colors, often integrating them into our purchases and projects, whether they’re personal or professional in nature. However, there are instances when our favorite colors might not be the best choice. Think about wearing the same-colored shirt day in and day out—it’s not a problem, but the color might not suit every weather condition.
Let’s say your favorite color is black. Sporting black attire on a scorching summer day might not be the most comfortable option, right? The same principle applies to roofs. Selecting the ideal roof color involves various considerations. But before delving into the art of choosing the perfect roof color for your home, let’s address a fundamental question: Does the color of your roof truly make a difference? Keep reading to find out.
Does Roof Color Matter?
If you’re a person who prefers function over aesthetics, you may not care much about the color of your roof. As long as it’s built well and looks great with the rest of the exterior, that’s fine, right? But it’s not.
The color of a roof is more than an aesthetic consideration – it can impact indoor temperatures, depending on the type of roofing material used. For instance, the color of asphalt shingles can impact indoor temperatures. Dark-hued shingles absorb more solar heat, while lighter shades absorb less. In regions with predominantly warm climates, opting for lighter-colored shingles is advisable.
Also, your house’s visual appearance matters–including your roof – if you live in an area that adheres to HOA restrictions. Some neighborhoods and villages maintain a uniform style and even color across the houses. You may not be able to get away with wanting to stand out or getting a specific color in mind.
Aesthetics also matter if you contemplate selling it in the future. Even if you think you’re never going to sell it, you’ll never know what will happen, and it may make you change your mind. A roof that complements the overall architectural style of your home undoubtedly contributes to its attractiveness, potentially increasing its appeal to prospective buyers. If you hold these aspects in high regard, being considerate of your chosen roof color is important.
Tips for Choosing the Best Roof Color for Your House
There’s no one formula for choosing the right roof color for your house. There are many different considerations, so read on to help you out:
Coordinate the roof color with siding and shutters
Think of it like the way interior designers choose colors for your kitchen cabinets, walls, and floors – they envision the entire look. All colors need to play well together, creating a seamless and appealing vibe. This rule holds true for the outside, too, especially when it comes to picking the perfect roof color. It’s essential that the roof color stands out from the siding to create a striking contrast.
Imagine having a dark brown roof alongside deep wood siding – it might lack that wow factor. However, if you go with brown shingles and beige or white siding, you get a gentle yet attention-grabbing contrast in colors. You can also mix and match. Think about combinations like red and beige, brown and gray, or white and dark gray. These contrasting or paired colors can work wonders.
Here are some roof color suggestions for specific siding hues:
- Brown Siding: Grey, brown, green, or blue roofs complement this shade beautifully.
- Beige/Cream Siding: Brown, black, blue, grey, and green roofs harmonize well with these hues.
- Red Siding: This color matches elegantly with black, green, grey, and dark brown roofs.
- Light Grey Siding: It perfectly complements black, green, grey, blue, and white roofs.
- White Siding: This versatile color works with almost any roof color, including grey, black, brown, green, blue, and white.
- Log Houses: Brown, black, grey, and green roofs are fantastic choices to enhance the charm of log-style homes.
And don’t forget; you can sync up the roof color with the tones in your window shutters or accent trim. This ties the whole exterior of your home together, making sure the colors flow in a pleasing way.
Take note of good color combinations
Picking the perfect roof color isn’t a strict science; it’s more like an art! You might have heard that contrasting colors work wonders, but going all out with green siding and red roofing could be a bit overwhelming – unless you tone down the shades. Sticking to a similar color family is a safe bet, but ensure there’s enough contrast to make the roof stand out from the rest of your home’s look. It’s like finding the perfect balance.
And here’s the kicker: the best roof color can change depending on whether you tweak your siding or trim colors. That’s why it’s a smart move to make all your choices together.
Here are some fantastic combos to consider.
- Cool shades – Among the cool tones, blue is the real crowd-pleaser for house colors, sometimes joined by green and a dash of purple. Pairing a bluish or true gray roof with a blue home is a real winner. Imagine a light gray roof with deep blue siding or a deeper gray roof with a light blue exterior. It’s like capturing the essence of coolness!
- Warm color schemes – From vibrant yellows and reds to mellow tans and browns, there’s a world of options for warm-themed homes. Roofs in neutral gray or even black work like magic for homes dressed in yellow and red. Suppose your house sports tan or brown hues. Think about matching the roof color closely to the siding. Oh, and don’t miss those charming yellow-tan homes with striking red roofs – they shine on Mediterranean styles and farmhouses alike.
- Sleek tones – If you’re rocking a neutral color scheme, you have many choices. A white house can pull off a roof of any color, but the vibe totally changes with brown, gray, black, or even red roofing. If your palette is grayscale, playing with lighter or darker roofs works like a charm. The good news? The market’s bursting with neutral roof options, so you can stamp your house with your unique style.
While the color theory is one piece of the puzzle, there are more factors to consider. Keep reading to uncover them.
Blend in with the neighborhood standards
You want your house to reflect your personal style, but it can be difficult if you live in a neighborhood with a specific aesthetic or on a densely-populated road. You don’t want to stand out in these areas. And if you plan to sell your house, being the standout on the block isn’t always the best bet. Opt for a roof color that harmonizes with others in your neighborhood, especially if the homes are close together or near the street.
If your area has a homeowners’ association (HOA), it’s a good idea to check their bylaws. Some places have strict guidelines on home exterior colors, so staying in the good graces of these regulations can help prevent court issues.
More often than not, you’ll need approval from your HOA before you make any design changes. These folks are all about keeping things visually cohesive in the neighborhood. So, those flashy shades or one-of-a-kind combos might not fly. If you’ve kept a copy of your covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) from when you bought your house, you may find a section that talks about roof colors there, especially if roof replacement applies to your neighborhood.
Consider your surroundings
Remember, your house isn’t an island, so take a moment to consider its backdrop. Are you nestled on sprawling acres? Or part of a cozy neighborhood? While a little diversity is charming, you’ll want your home to blend to some extent. Going completely against the grain might make your house stick out like a sore thumb.
For example, a black or bluish-gray roof can be a stunner in many scenarios, but it might clash in a desert landscape surrounded by warm browns and sandy hues. And if your neighbors are all rocking gray roofs, you’ll want to tread carefully with how bold you go. Opting for a cool, steely slate blue or a sandy brown might fit right in, but a flashy rusty red might cause some double takes – and not the good kind.
Consider a roof color that suits the environment, or chat with the neighbors to see what shades they went for. Once you’ve got a starting point, it will be easier for you to decide on a roof color.
Consider architectural styles and historical backgrounds
Ever wondered why certain homes seem perfectly suited to their styles? Well, it all boils down to architecture and history. Many of our beloved architectural designs were conceived in times long before ours, and the materials of yore have become closely linked with these styles. That’s why we’re drawn to the elegance of slate roofs atop grand colonial and traditional houses and why rustic wood shingles feel right at home on charming farmhouses and cottages. These materials naturally came in limited color choices.
Let the style of your house guide your roof color choice. Traditional homes often look great with classic, neutral roof colors, while modern homes may embrace bold or unique colors that complement their design. Also, distinct architectural styles have a tendency to adhere to particular colors. In Victorian architecture, roofs often flaunt reds, greens, and blended grays. In the case of French-style homes, gray or brown rooftops usually take the spotlight.
If your house has a certain classic style, explore the roofing choices used in that era and then look for modern materials that capture the look while boosting durability. For example, weathered cedar shakes might suit you if you have a Cape Cod home. For a dash of Victorian flair, slate-inspired roofing with a spectrum of hues could be a great choice.
And here’s another tip: even if you’re not set on mimicking a specific material, replicating a similar color on a different type of roof can create stunning results.
Tailor your color choice to your location
The shade of your roof plays a vital role in regulating heat gain and loss, contributing to effective insulation. Light colors have the ability to bounce off heat, while darker hues tend to absorb it.
If you’re situated in a cooler climate, darker tones work like a charm. They can harness absorbed heat to melt ice and snow. Conversely, in warmer regions, lighter shades can help cut down on air conditioning expenses.
For a striking roof appearance that thrives in sunny locales, don’t shy away from bold choices like vibrant blues or soft neutrals. They effortlessly blend with the sun’s radiant rays.
Try to use a visualizer tool
Most roof shingle brands offer online tools to allow potential customers to choose a home similar to theirs from their wide collection of images. Then, it allows them to select preferred siding types and colors. Through these tools, you can see which color works best without needing to try it out first. Getting to see the finished product before buying anything can save you time, money, and potential stress.
Check the availability of colors and materials
One of the limiting factors when it comes to picking a new roof color is the actual range of colors available. Certain shingle manufacturers may stick to specific colors or styles based on your location. Broadening your options involves exploring offerings from various vendors, both in physical stores and online.
Check out real-life examples
It’s a smart move to ensure your roof color aligns with your taste, just like other savvy homeowners do. But browsing photos online isn’t going to cut it. It’s best to see shingle samples from contractors and look at homes with the same roof color.
Also, you can get assistance from your roofing contractor by asking them the locations of the houses they’ve replaced in those colors. This way, you can see the color stretched across the full roof, which you can’t see in a sample. Seeing it in person is the best way to decide.
Pro tip: Be cautious of contractors who hesitate to share addresses of past projects. This behavior could indicate an attempt to conceal subpar work quality or their limited industry experience.