Picking the Right Roof Color
The roof of your home accounts for nearly 40% of your roof’s visible exterior according to GAF rewards resources. It is one of the biggest factors in curb appeal and overall value. This only makes it that much more important to pick the right shingle color for your home.
Here are a few of the best tips to guide you in picking a shingle color for your home:
Compare with your Shutters and Siding
Most likely, whether you hired an interior designer or not, the colors of your home were not picked at random. They were chosen based on the overall look of your home, and each selection was made with the big picture in mind. Both your interior and exterior colors must work together to bring the home together in a visually pleasing way. The roof should compare well with the rest of the home, but should be dissimilar enough to provide some needed contrast. Here is a quick cheat sheet to help you compare roofing and siding colors:
| Siding Color | Roofing Colors |
| Blue | Black, brown, gray, and white |
| Brown | Green, black, blue, charcoal and browns that are light or dark |
| Beige/Tan | Brown, black, dark green, and dark blue |
| Gray | Black, dark gray, dark blue, dark green, and white |
| White | Brown, black, green, gray, blue, and red |
| Red | Black, dark gray, dark brown, and dark green |
Using blended colors
Most types of shingles are produced in solid colors with a blend. For example you may have a dark green roof with a lighter green blend in between, that is not very noticeable. Or you may have a red roof with an obvious rust-like blend, for a more colorful look. You can even have shingles that have multiple different blends.
The rule of thumb is: The more plain the siding of the home is the more blended your roof’s color pallet should be, to make sure your home keeps its curb appeal. For example, if you put a black roof on a home with brown siding, your home will most likely look fairly drab and boring. On the opposite end, if you have an elegant brick siding with multiple colors and stones, then having a colorful roof will clash and look unappealing. It is almost like matching clothes. You don’t see many people who can pull off a checkered shirt, pants, and shoes, so why should your home have to?
Use a Combination of Light and Dark (Check out GAF Rewards for a variety of options)
Dark colors draw much more attention than lighter colors, use this to find the perfect light and dark balance for your home.
If your home is multiple levels, darker roofs are usually the best option, as they balance the height of the house.
If you have a ranch home, a nice in between light and dark will work really well.
Compare with the Neighbors and Architecture.
When it comes to architecture, traditional homes, due to their larger appearance, look better with dark blends.
Red or orange-tint homes should consider using traditional clay tile colors. This is a great option for homeowners looking to get a beach-like look to their home.
If you have wooden siding, green shingles are the way to go. A dark forest green, gives off a beautiful natural look.
Don’t forget to look at your neighbors. When it comes to selling a home, having the most unique one is surprisingly not the best idea. Use a color blend that is similar to other homes in the area. This is even more important if there is little space between homes. This will usually mean plain darker colors, because large neighborhoods with extravagant colors are usually hard to find. Also make sure to look at the homeowner’s association rules on house colors. Some neighborhoods can have very strict rules.
Have more questions about Roofing Colors or GAF Rewards?
Then reach out to the roofing and exterior experts at Integrity Roofing. We are a GAF Master Contractor in Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky providing GAF rewards, quality service, and expert advice to all of the local homeowners in our community. If you are looking for a free roofing quote, or are simply interested in getting the answer you need, then contact Integrity Roofing today!