Selecting a Roofing Shingle Color That Complements Your Home

You found a roofer you trust. You know how much your roofing project will cost you. And you know what type of shingles you want. But, at the very step of the re-roofing process you find yourself stuck. 

What shingle color should you choose?

In my experience as President of Linta Roofing, I find that every homeowner reacts differently to this question. Some homeowners are not as concerned with aesthetics as they are with performance. Other homeowners find this to be their favorite part of the re-roofing process. Some dread the idea of making the wrong decision. And often those homeowners lob the question back to me and ask “what’s the best color to choose?”

I never want to tell a homeowner what shingles they can or cannot have installed on their home. But, I’ve seen enough roofs to say that there is a practical way to simplify the decision making process. In this article I will provide you with photos and explain why I believe these homeowners struck the right balance with their shingle color decision. This analysis is based on the aesthetic goals of the homeowner. So, whether you already know what your goal is or this is the first time you’ve thought about it, this article will provide you with some insights to help you make a decision you’ll love!

Without further ado, let’s explore some great shingle color options for your home!

Choosing a Roofing Shingle Color Based on Your Aesthetic Goals

When choosing a shingle color, it’s good to decide on what you want to stand out on your home. Is it the exterior accents? The siding? Or would you like your roof to be the star of the show? We’ll take a look at options based on your siding color so you can see examples of what may be your preferred aesthetic look.

White or cream siding opens up the possibility for you to be very creative with your shingle color. But that all depends on the statement you want to make with the exterior of your home. If you want eyes drawn to the exterior accents of your home, you may want to choose a more subtle brown or gray color for your roof. On the other hand, if you’d like your roof to pop, this is a great opportunity to choose primary colors for your roof, like blue or red.  

If you have tan siding, you may find that black or brown colored shingles pair nicely, this usually offers a more subtle look. On the other hand, shingles with a cool-toned blue hue tend to draw the eye to the roof.

Gray siding is very common, and similarly to white and cream siding, it is very versatile. I’ve seen plenty of beautiful pairings with gray siding, but green, blue, and white tend to make the roof really stand out against gray siding. 

If you have natural wood siding, I suggest letting that be the main focal point by choosing a weathered brown, gray, or a muted green shingle color. These shingle colors will enhance the beauty of natural wood siding without taking away from it’s charm. If you are hoping to achieve a more cottage-esque look to your home, green could be a great option! 

Brick homes are pretty common in our area. Because brick tends to stand out on its own, I normally suggest darker colored shingles like dark brown, black, or gray colored shingle. This allows the brick siding to really shine! 

There are plenty of practical ways to choose the right shingle color. If you’re hoping to sell your home soon or in the near future, you may want to consider a more neutral color like gray, black, or brown. While a colorful roof can be a great selling point for specific buyers, most buyers are looking for a more neutral exterior look. This allows the new homeowner to keep or change the aesthetic look to fit their preferences.

To see some examples, check out the pairings GAF has put together below!

Balancing Aesthetic Preference and Durability for Your New Roof

Choosing a shingle color can feel like a binding decision. After all, you want to make sure you choose a color you will like in the future! And while some homeowners have more detailed ideas about the exterior of their home than others, you can be sure that classic color combinations will always be in style. 

We hope that the gallery images in this article will inspire ideas and help you decide on the perfect shingle color for your home. Regardless of what people may say about shingle colors impacting the energy efficiency of your home, we’re here to tell you that choosing the right shingle really involves a balance of your preferences, style, and roofs that make you say “wow” when you drive by. 

While we at Linta Roofing are not always up on the latest fashion trends, we know a clean looking roof when we see one. We tend to use GAF shingles, so if you’d like to take a look at what GAF offers let us know! And if you're curious about the cost of a GAF shingle roof on your home, we're happy to give you an instant estimate, right now!