How to Choose The Right Shingle Color For Your Home’s Roof
It’s no secret: our Newnan, Georgia homeowners don’t purchase new roofs often, which is why picking the ideal shingle color for your home’s roof is very important to get right the first time.
It’s imperative that your roof’s shingle color works with your personal style and home and properly complements your neighborhood. However, when it comes down to it, you should always take into consideration any and all other preferences you -the homeowner- may have. After all, it is your roof!
Here are some tips and ideas to consider to help you choose the best possible shingles color for your next roof.
Match the Shingle Color to Your Home
Take a look at your house’s style and consider the materials your home is made of. For example, do you have siding or brick? Is the style modern or traditional? Is your home painted? These are all important questions to ask when it comes to deciding which color your roof shingles should be.
That’s because one of the most important things to think about when choosing your roof shingle color is how it will match your home. You want to choose a color that will complement your home’s existing color scheme. If you are not sure what colors would work well with your home, you can consult with a professional painting company or roofing contractor.
You can also feel free to look in home improvement magazines and even websites like Pinterest to gain insight, ideas, and inspiration for colors that match a variety of home styles. Sometimes, seeing a color displayed on an existing home could sway you to decide if a color is either right or wrong for your own roof.
General Color Matching Guidelines
Here are some general guidelines to follow for the best roof shingle color by house color:
- Red: Dark Brown, Black, Gray, Green
- Brown: Gray, Brown, Green, Blue
- White: Any color! Brown, Gray, Black, Green, Blue, White
- Light gray: Gray, Black, Green, Blue, White
- Beige: Brown, Black, Gray, Green, Blue
- Weathered Wood Siding: Brown, Green, Black, Gray
Think About Curb Appeal
It doesn’t matter if you’re staying planning on selling your home in a few years or staying put for years to come. You want your house to look great either way! Thus, a neutral color will always ensure that your house is up to date – no matter the current trend.
You might also feel inclined to make your home appear more distinguished, in which case, you should use more striking colors when it comes to your shingles. Both of these options can increase the curb appeal of your home, which in turn will increase your home’s overall value.
If curb appeal is important to you – and it should be – you should also take a stroll around your neighborhood. Take a look at what’s common in your neighborhood. While you might have a great idea for a standout roof, if it’s extremely different than the other homes on your block it might make your home stick out like a sore thumb, instead of impressing. For example, if everywhere you look you see lighter colors, then a dark gray roof might not be the best choice.
Get Your Neighbor’s Opinion
If you happen to live in a complex that is run by an association, ensure there aren’t any rules in place for choosing a shingle color. For example, some associations prefer all homes to look the same. If you’re not living in a complex, you should always consider your neighbors and the colors they have on their roofs.
If you like your neighbors’ roofs, you can research similar shingle styles and colors and how they may complement your own home. However, if you want to stand out from your neighbors, you can always explore alternative shingle colors and styles that will make your home more unique.
Additionally, if all the homes in your neighborhood were built around the same time, you might all be in need of new roofs. In that case, it might be a good time to get together and consider options that benefit the whole block! Maybe you can all make the switch to new color combinations, or options that provided better protection against hot summer months and high energy bills.
Consider Energy Efficiency
Speaking of energy bills… When choosing a shingle color, you should also consider energy efficiency. Darker colors absorb heat, while lighter colors reflect UV rays. The lighter colors are sometimes called “cool roofs” as they can help keep your home cooler in the summer.
If you are concerned about energy efficiency, you should consult with a roofing contractor or energy efficiency specialist. They can help recommend the best colors and materials. You might even consider adding solar roof panels to help with your energy output!
Location Matters
Another factor to consider when choosing a shingle color is location. If you live in an area with a lot of sun, you may want to choose a light-colored shingle to reflect the heat. If you live in an area with cold winters, you may want to choose a dark-colored shingle to absorb heat.
However, dark roof shingles tend to not last as long as other options. Because they absorb UV rays, the roofing material gets broken down more quickly. In terms of investment, no matter where you live, lighter colors may be the more reasonable option.
Architectural Influences On Shingle Color
Location can also impact the architectural style of your home. And these exterior elements can impact your style choices – like shingle color. If you have a traditional home, you may want to choose a classic shingle color. If you have a modern home, you may want to choose a more contemporary color.
Do Extensive Research Beforehand
Get some shingle color samples and look at tools online to determine which color would work best with your home. Additionally, you should consider your home’s architectural style.
For instance, if a particular color looks good on a Ranch-style home, it may not work for a Colonial or Tudor-style home. You can also drive through different Georgia neighborhoods to gain inspiration and see real examples.
Thus, before making your final decision, it is important to do extensive research beforehand. You should consult with multiple roofing contractors and get several opinions before making your decision. Once you have all the information, you can make an informed decision that will be best for your home.
Getting Started On Your New Roof
Now that you know how to choose the right shingle color for your home, you can get started on your new roof. If you need help choosing a shingle color or getting started on your roof, contact a local roofing contractor like the pros at Eagle Watch Roofing. We will be able to help you through every step of the process.
To learn more about what Eagle Watch Roofing can do for your next roofing project, visit our ‘About Us’ page; or, visit our ‘Testimonials’ page to see what some of our satisfied customers have to say about their experience. We look forward to helping you select and install the perfect roof shingle color for your home!