Black may be the most common shingle color, but the roofing material actually comes in a variety of hues. If it’s time to schedule a roof replacement, use this guide to help you decide on a shingle color. The right hue complements the rest of your home and property, while the wrong color can reduce curb appeal.

What Should You Consider When Choosing Your Shingle Color?

House Color & Material Considerations

Select shingles based in part on the materials your home was built with and their colors. For example, if your home features classic red brickwork, shingles in dark brown, black, green, and gray tones work best. If the house includes light colors such as beige natural stone or white siding, dark shingles in gray, brown, black, and blue hues look appealing. Log or weathered wood houses generally benefit from shingles in dark colors such as brown and black; however, green and gray shingles can also look complementary depending on the wood type and stain.

Blended shingle roof replacements feature colors such as brown, tan, and gray, and are ideal for homes with plain siding. For example, plain white or beige siding benefits from a blended shingle roof. Do not use blended shingles if your home features varied siding, such as natural stone in assorted colors, to avoid a clashing result.

Location Considerations

Choose shingles while keeping your neighborhood in mind. If you are part of a HOA, review their roof replacement regulations to avoid selecting a color that isn’t permitted and will cost you more money in labor and materials. Walk around your neighborhood to see what type of shingle colors your neighbors' roofing systems feature, so you do not choose a hue that stands out too much from the rest of the community and causes complaints.

Also, consider the weather in your region. Living in northern climates, for example, usually results in darker shingle choices that absorb heat to keep energy costs reasonable. Southern and southwestern climates do better with light-colored shingles that reflect sunlight to maintain comfortable, energy-efficient residences. 

Discuss the best shingles for your roof replacement with Dan Williams Roofing, the residential and commercial roofing contractor serving Lorain, OH, since 2000. Call this family-owned company at (440) 282-6006 for a free estimate or visit the contractor online for service details, including roof tear-offs and skylight installations. Their team is fully licensed, bonded, and insured.