Choosing Asphalt Shingle Colors: What to Keep in Mind

Maximizing your space or getting a few new features and upgrades can boost the value of your home. Some home improvement projects that are often done to meet this goal are bathroom addition, kitchen remodeling, attic conversion and more. Apart from these types of renovations, you might also want to consider replacing your roofing system.

Your roof is an integral part of the exterior of your home. When planning a roof replacement, you must not only pay attention to the material but the color of the shingles too. The right shingle color will elevate the look of your home, increase property value and even help you save money on energy costs. Remember that the right color and style of roofing shingles are also crucial to potential buyers’ first impression, making it a valuable investment.

Nevertheless, one of the most difficult challenges for many homeowners is selecting shingle colors that complement their home’s exterior. 

In this post, a trusted local roofing contractor shares several tips to help you choose the best color for your asphalt shingles.

Shingle Color Must Be Prioritized. 

For beige or cream-colored houses, shingles in brown, black, gray, green, or blue would be a suitable choice. Of course, don’t forget to make sure your chosen shade does not clash with the other exterior colors too. White houses are basically a blank canvas, so almost any shingle color will look great with it. However, you must consider other factors, including your neighborhood, home’s architectural style and personal preference. Experts say brown, gray, black, green, blue and white are some of the shingle colors ideal for white houses.

Furthermore, keep in mind that shingle colors can also have an impact on your home’s indoor comfort and energy efficiency. For instance, darker colors tend to absorb more heat while lighter colors reflect more sunlight. A highly reflective roof can help cool your home in the summer. If you really want a darker shade for your asphalt shingles, make sure your attic insulation and ventilation are in excellent condition.

Consider the Rest of Your Home’s Exterior. 

Roof replacement contractors say your roof should match the rest of your home’s exterior. When choosing a roof color, keep the architectural style of your home in mind. Classic, neutral colors look best on Victorian, Queen Anne, Colonial, Plantation and historic homes. Cream-colored homes, for example, look great with brown and warm gray shingles. Consider getting a dark gray roof if you have a light gray home.

Choose Classic Color Combinations.

The color scheme of your home should include your roof. And when you’re creating a color palette for your exterior, you can go wrong with classic shades that have been tried and tested for years. Red brick houses, for example, look great with dark brown, deep gray, or black shingles. With dark gray roofs, light gray houses look even more sophisticated. Brown or warm gray shingles complement beige or cream homes. If you want to change the color of your house, now is an excellent time to come up with an entirely new palette. This means choosing new colors for your siding, trim, gutters and other exterior components.

Consider Your Surroundings. 

Your roof should blend in with your surroundings. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should pick nature colors or dull or gloomy shades. Your property can be noticeable without being overbearing. By using a subtle variation in the colors of your shingles, you can add depth and visual appeal to your roof. Select shingles that complement the other houses in your neighborhood. Furthermore, take note that before getting a roof repair or replacement, you may need to obtain approval from the board if you are in an HOA community.

Do Not Limit Yourself in Designing. 

A roof accounts for roughly 40% of your home’s overall exterior. With so many beautiful dimensional colors and styles available today, you can devote the same amount of time and effort to designing your exterior as you do your interior. Take your time to know your options, and don’t rush yourself to make a decision.

Check the Lighting Conditions in Your Area. 

The overall appearance of a roof can change depending on the time of day and the amount of light available. Before deciding on shingle color, take your samples outside in the morning, afternoon and evening to ensure that you consistently like what you see.

Obtain Large Samples. 

Don’t choose the color of your roof based on a small sample or the colors you see on a computer screen. Ideally, you should get large samples of the colors you’re considering and examine them in different areas outside your house under different lighting conditions.

Consider Your Local Climate. 

Roof repair and replacement contractors say the color of your shingles can affect your home’s indoor temperature and, depending on your insulation, your energy bills too. As mentioned earlier, darker roofs attract and retain more heat, making the attic and the rest of the indoor spaces feel warmer. On the other hand, a lighter roof reflects sunlight, which helps keep interiors remain cooler.

Compare Different Shingles and Their Costs. 

The price difference between roofing shingle product lines may be less than you think, so upgrading to an architectural shingle in a designer color may actually be within your budget. Of course, only a roofing contractor can provide you with an estimate based on the specifics of your home and the products you choose. However, getting the exact roof shingle you want may only add a few hundred dollars to the overall project cost. To make an informed decision about your new roof, ask your contractor to show you the cost difference between the shingle options you’re considering.

Work With Roofing Experts. 

If you’re still unsure about your choice, the best thing to do is seek advice from a design professional or a roofing contractor. With their help, you can certainly find a shingle color that will help you feel more confident about your new roof. Experts can also look at your home from a different perspective and tie together other design elements to determine the best color for your asphalt shingles.

If you want a weather-resistant, attractive, long-lasting roof, Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. is the roofing company you should talk to. We are a family-owned and -operated business that provides exceptional service to all of our customers. To learn more about our roof replacement and repair services, contact us at (731) 589-7663 (Dyersburg), (901) 430-1974 (Atoka), or (870) 736-7663 (Paragould). You can also fill out this online form to schedule a consultation.