The interior and exterior of your home say a great deal about you. While we often hear, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” the truth is that we all do. The point is – you must know how to select the right roof color for your home. Indeed, you don’t want to choose any random color with a ‘who cares’ attitude and repent later. 

The color of your shingles has the power to either enhance or diminish the overall appearance of your home’s exterior. Be sure to avoid these significant design mistakes when making your selection! Getting the roof color right is like icing on the cake. In this article, we’ve enlisted the mistakes a large chunk of people make while choosing shingle roofing colors. Don’t worry. You’ll get some guidance on avoiding those mistakes, too! So, let’s dive right in! 

MISTAKE #1

You are not observing the shingle roofing colors used on neighboring homes!

What to Do Instead?

One of the initial steps you should take when selecting a shingle color is to check out what colors your neighbors have chosen and how those colors complement the colors of their siding and brick. Take a stroll around your neighborhood and drive around the broader area to locate houses with similar brick and siding as your own. Take note of any colors that catch your eye.

Ask yourself the following questions as you are strolling through:

  • What shingle color did they opt for?
  • Do you find it appealing or not?
  • Are you drawn to a brown roof? 
  • Perhaps a gray one?
  • How about comparing dark roof colors to lighter ones?

If the place you are living in has a warm climate, a bright-colored roof can help reflect UV radiation and keep your home cooler during the scorching summer months. Keep in mind that your location matters! 

MISTAKE #2

You overlook the brochure and color sample provided by the roofing company

How to NOT Make This Mistake?

Roofing companies usually offer brochures featuring the array of shingle roofing colors they offer. Don’t hesitate to request these brochures, as they are provided for free along with your quote. Pay attention to color blends, which can add depth and dimension to your roof. Some shingle colors incorporate a mix of darker and lighter shades, creating a more textured and visually appealing appearance.

Carefully Review the Brochures:

  • Dedicate some time to peruse these brochures and closely examine each available color option.
  • Some brochures may include tangible samples of the shingles, giving you a natural feel for the materials.
  • As you go through the brochures, identify the shingle colors that you strongly dislike and eliminate them from your consideration.

As a general rule of thumb, try to acquire quotes from three different shingle roofing companies and request brochures from each of them. 

MISTAKE #3

You neglect to test the large samples of the shingles in exterior lighting with other external home elements.

Always assess how your roof color choice looks outdoors, particularly in natural lighting and alongside your home’s brick, stone veneer, stucco, and siding colors. It’s crucial that your roof color harmonizes with all exterior elements to prevent clashes and enhance curb appeal.

What You Can Do Instead?

  • Ensure your roof color complements your home’s architectural style and the natural surroundings.
  • Aim to select a color that enhances your home’s aesthetics.
  • Once you’ve chosen a roofing company to work with, request substantial samples of the shingle colors you’re interested in. Many companies offer these samples for free.
  • Take the shingle samples outdoors and assess them alongside your home’s exterior colors.
  • Move the samples to different positions and examine them from a few feet away.

MISTAKE #4

You forgot to consider how the color looks on the back of your home, the sides, or even on auxiliary structures like your backyard shed.

When choosing your roof shingle color, don’t forget to examine how it looks from all sides of your home, including the front, back, and sides. To avoid this oversight, it’s essential to take a comprehensive approach. Once you’ve narrowed down your shingle color choices to a few options, conduct a thorough assessment. It is through this assessment that you make an informed decision about the final shingle color selection for your roof.

Here is what you should do in such a case:

  • Take shingle samples to the rear of your home and evaluate how each color interacts with the surroundings.
  • Remember to consider how the chosen color complements the sides of your home as well.
  • Pay attention to auxiliary structures like a backyard shed, as they can impact the overall aesthetic of your property.
  • If you have a shed, consider reshingling it to match the roofing of your home for a harmonious look.

MISTAKE #5

You overlooked the process of examining shingle samples outdoors at various times of the day.

It’s essential to examine shingle colors both in full sunlight and at dusk. Shingle colors can appear differently in varying light conditions, just as when choosing interior paint colors. Ensure you evaluate how the colors appear in your home under both low and bright natural light.

Bonus Tip: If and when you’re getting your roof reshingled, consider keeping additional shingles from the ones you’ve purchased. Just in case you ever need them to make any repairs. Having spare shingles on hand can be a valuable resource for maintaining your roof’s integrity.

Conclusion

To conclude everything we said (from a roof specialist’s POV), wrong decisions in the infrastructure department can cost you a fortune, and you can’t quickly rectify them. So, if you are someone new in the field of roofing color selections, then get assistance from the roofing company! However, if you have already made the mistake of choosing the wrong roof colors, well, then still follow the same route. 

 

Now that you’ve reached here, it means that you or someone you know requires a roofing professional’s assistance. A roofing specialist will offer better guidance and help you make an informed choice when it comes to selecting the perfect shingle roofing colors. Share this article among your circle of family and friends or whoever you think can benefit from it.