Do Colors of Roofing Shingles Make a Difference?

colorful roof shingles

When you’re ready to replace your existing roof, this presents an opportunity to exercise your creativity and select the perfect shingle color for your home. Do you want to go with a traditional black or venture into something a bit more bold and noticeable?

When it comes to roofing shingles, the color of choice is important for homeowners’ preferences, but should not be weighed heavier than other aspects. Though the colors may classify shingle types that have different protective capabilities, such as light colors reflecting more UV rays and dark colors absorbing more heat, in most cases, the practical differences are minimal.

Natural elements like rain and wind will be present no matter what color your shingles are. Choosing a certain color could also have a minor impact on how long your shingles last or how effective they are in protecting against the elements, but this varies depending on factors such as climate, quality of installation, and overall wear and tear. None of these are determined by the actual hue.

Just because the color of a roof does not necessarily affect its performance, that does not mean that the hue cannot hold personal value to you. Today, we’re going to share some popular ideas for roof colors and how to match them to your home’s aesthetic! Keep reading for some inspiration for when you are ready to replace your roof.

Ideas for Color-Coordinating Your Roofing Shingles with the Rest of Your Home

Matching Shutters

When it comes to making sure your roof shingles and house shutters coordinate, there are a few tips you can follow that will help you achieve a visually appealing look. To make sure the colors of your shingles and shutters work together well, consider selecting colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

Alternatively, select two colors that share similar hues; this technique is especially useful when working with neutral tones like beige or gray. If you want something a bit more daring, make patterned or multicolored shingles your choice and designate one of those colors as the hue for your shutters.

A third tip for matching shutters to your new roof is to ask your roofer for a spare shingle to keep as a color swatch. You can take this to a paint store or the paint department of a hardware store and match it to a paint sample.

Complement Your Siding

If you want to experiment with more colors and create a dramatic curb appeal, try choosing a complementary color to your home’s siding. Some popular roof colors for specific types of siding include:

Black Shingles: Black shingles are the most popular color and can complement almost nearly any type of siding. Black roofs look best paired with neutral siding colors or deeper hues, such as dark blue, grey or green that will not compete for attention.

Gray Shingles: From bright, bold colors to muted tints, each option has its own unique style statement that can enhance the look of your home. Bright colors such as blues and reds will provide a cheerful effect and create an inviting atmosphere, while neutral hues like tans and browns are perfect for achieving a modern or traditional aesthetic. Of course greys are a solid option too and will create a stylish aesthetic.

Brown or Tan Shingles: Warm, earthy tones like brick reds and terra cotta are perfect for accentuating these natural rooftop shades and create a look that is both inviting and elegant. Alternatively, shades of gray such as charcoal or slate can give more of a classic appearance while still bringing a modern energy to your home.

Red Shingles: A striking choice is to go with beige or gray siding – this color pallet provides a classic look and will last the test of time. Another option is white, which can make the home seem more modern and fresh while still accentuating the boldness of the red roof. No matter which color you choose, opting for something timeless is best so that your home maintains its beauty for years to come.

Green Shingles: While there is no definitive answer to this question due to individual preferences and environmental influences, some traditional combinations are cream and hunter green for a more subdued palette or tan and olive for a brighter look. A great way to figure out the perfect shade of green is to collect photos of brightly colored siding with an array of greens that catch your eye. Besides these timeless combinations, one could also experiment with chrome yellow and forest green for an out-of-the-box take on the classic style

Stand Out from the Neighborhood

Your home represents a space unique to you, your family, and the memories you share together. If you want its exterior to also reflect this, choose a roof color that differs from the rest of the houses on the block. If you plan to sell your home, this can also attract the interest of potential buyers who are looking for something that stands out.

Ready to Upgrade Your Roof in North Florida? We’re Here to Help

At HW Roofing, we are proud to offer the most complete roofing services to residents of the Jacksonville, FL metro area along with surrounding regions of North Florida and select communities of southeast Georgia. With multiple accreditations and partnerships with the industry’s leading authorities, we strive to offer a timely, professional, and courteous roof replacement with attractive financing opportunities to help you save on monthly expenses.

To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free inspection.