Picking your roofing shingles colors is a decision that you should think carefully about, just like every other design element of your home. The roof is highly visible whenever you’re outside, whether you’re relaxing in the backyard or coming home from work. It can almost be considered part of the exterior decorating. It is also a big investment, which you (and your neighbors!) will see every day for many years. Here are some tips to make a choice you will love for years to come.
Style
A roof has the potential to reflect the unique style of homeowners. The colors and patterns you choose will set the tone of your decor – warm or cool, traditional or modern.
There are several factors to consider when deciding on roof shingle colors. The first is the architectural style of your home. More formal styles, such as Victorian, Colonial, or Plantation, typically look best with traditional colors. Black, dark grey, brown, or even dark green are great options for a traditional home, depending on the color of your siding and other features. You can go with a solid color, or mix multiple shades to imitate natural slate.
If you live in a more casual house, such as on waterfront or rural property, your roof color can reflect that as well. Lighter greys, browns, dark blue or dark green will complement houses with wood, log, or stone exteriors. Again, mixing shades can be a great way to add a dramatic feature to your home.
You’ll also want to consider the style of the other houses near you, when choosing colors. Your new roof should fit in a harmonious blend with your neighborhood, as well as the style of your own home. Look at the roofs on your neighbors’ houses – you don’t need to have an identical roof color or style, but you don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons, either.
If all the houses in your subdivision have dark roofs, you might want to go with black or dark grey as well. Or, if light, sandy roofs are prevalent in your area, a solid black roof could be unsightly. Harmonizing with the houses around you is pleasing to the eye, and can even increase curb appeal, making it easier to sell your home down the road.
Color Scheme
Once you’ve narrowed down your color choices based on the style of your home and neighborhood, you can start to think about the color scheme you want for your home.
A good rule of thumb is to design the outside of your home like you would decorate the inside of your home: complementary colors and patterns are the key to success. If all the design elements are too similar, your house will either look too bland or too busy. A bright red roof on a brick home could be too much of the same color.
If your siding is a solid color, consider a roof with multiple shades of grey, brown, or cream to add visual interest. Or, if your house is made of multi-colored brick, a solid color roof is probably your best bet. Alternatively, if you really want to mix patterns, be sure to choose designs and textures which complement and don’t compete with each other – for example, large stones on the siding and small shingles on the roof. Don’t forget to take into account the color of your garage door!
Also consider your natural surrounding and geographical location when choosing a color for your roof. Sunlight in the northern parts of the country has a cooler cast, which complements grey-blue roofs. Sunny, southern climates, on the other hand, have warm, red hues, so brown, red, or cream roofs will look great.
Furthermore, if your home is waterfront or surrounded by evergreens, brown, blue, or green roofs will harmonize well with your natural environment. Urban settings, on the other hand, might call for black or grey shingles, giving your home a sleek and modern look.
Conclusion
Still a little confused?
Don’t worry. Choosing roofing shingles colors isn’t easy. If you have any questions, be sure to call American Dream Restoration at one of our local offices (Front Royal, Woodbridge, Winchester).
Our roofing and storm damage professionals will be happy to answer any of your questions.
