Choosing the best color for your shingles will ensure that your home looks beautiful, as your roof is one of the most important parts.You might be stuck with the shingle color for a while because roofs last about 20 years.To make an informed decision, you should consider your home style, the look that you want to achieve, and the climate where you live.
Step 1: Pick a color that matches the color of your house.
It is possible for shingles to blend in with the other design features of your home.If you want to go the traditional route, stick with gray, brown, or black shingles.Go for lighter tan colors or reddish-orange shades for a contrasting pop of color.A mixture of gray, black, tan, and brown shingles can be used for a staggered effect.
Step 2: Your shingles should complement the architectural style of your home.
Take a drive around the neighborhoods to see what color roofing would look like on your home.Look for houses that are similar to yours.Search online for houses that are similar to yours and note which roofing and siding combinations look the most appealing to you.A ranch house might look good with a combination of colors, while a traditional colonial would benefit from shingles with one solid color.A Spanish style home can look good with reddish clay-colored roof shingles which are similar to traditional clay roofing tiles.
Step 3: You can make your home more energy efficient by installing a cool roof.
The temperature of your attic can be lowered by 20–40 F by opting for an energy efficient roof.If you live in a warm climate, you should install this type of roof to help lower your electricity bills and improve the longevity of your roofing materials.White or light shingles help keep the temperature of your home down, if you don't want to install a true cool roof.Houses that have dark shingles stay warm in cold climates.They help remove snow and ice from your roof.
Step 4: If you live in a residential neighborhood, check the rules about shingle colors.
If you have a homeowners association, make sure your choice of roofing color doesn't violate any rules.If you don't have rules to follow, think about how your roof will look next to your neighbor's house.If many of the homes in your neighborhood have the same style of roof, that could be a sign that the color works well with those types of houses.
Step 5: Discuss the shingles with a certified roofer.
Take pictures of the exterior of your home.Take shingle samples with you to see them in person, or browse options from a catalogue.Bring a picture of the look you want to achieve with you to give them an idea.You can see shingle samples at a hardware store if you can't find a certified roofer near you.A certified roofer will have a license or certification from your state's department of labor, and should be able to provide you with proof of liability insurance and a written proposal for the roofing job.
Step 6: You can make a statement with the shingle design.
A shingle designer can help you incorporate a design into your shingles.For a natural-toned roof with a cooler undertone, try staggering blues with taupes and brown.To draw attention to your roof, ask about scallops or layers.High-contrast colors, like gray and cream together, will highlight features of your home while low- contrast colors like tan and brown will hide defects.
Step 7: For a unique look, choose clay, slate, or wooden shingles.
There are different materials for shingles.Don't be afraid to choose a shingle type other than asphalt if you visit a store to get a feel for all of the options.While materials like clay and slate can break easily, asphalt shingles tend to hold up well over time in various climates.Due to their fragile nature, shingles made of different materials will usually require an additional installation fee.
Step 8: To make the house seem larger, choose a color that blends with your siding.
It is possible to make smaller houses look taller with low-contrast roofs.To draw the eye upward, choose a color that appears to be a continuation of the siding.The home can be broken into sections by harsh colors.If you have a ranch house with brown stone siding, choose shades of brown and taupe for the shingles.Adding shades of brown and red to the roof of a brick house is a possibility.For houses with natural tones on the outside, stick with gray, taupe, and brown.
Step 9: Plan around architectural features.
If you want to add a new roof, account for the unique features of your house.Take time to think about what would make your home stand out if it were visible from the outside.If you can't decide which features to highlight, consult with an architectural designer or roofer to make a decision on your roofing color.If your home has a flat roof, you might consider a less visually appealing option like concrete or gray asphalt.