How to Choose a Colour For Your Asphalt Shingle Roof You’ll Love For Years to Come

Roofs provide the ultimate protection for your home, so you can't choose your shingles based solely on aesthetics. But colour does matter when it comes to curb appeal, resale value, and your enjoyment. Fortunately, shingle manufacturing technology has improved over the past few decades, so you're no longer stuck with only a few drab colour and pattern options - the world is your oyster!

You no longer have to choose form over function, with a rainbow assortment of sturdy asphalt shingles available at reasonable prices. 

Which colour of shingles is best for roofing? 

Much like every other design aspect, it depends on your taste, location, and home. Our experts are explaining it all to help make your decision easier!

Factor #1: Home & Personal Style

Your home and personal style must merge to find the ideal colour. While you might love light blue, that doesn't always translate well on every house. That doesn't mean you need to settle for a roof colour you don't like for the sake of the home because you can typically find a compromise somewhere in the middle. 

Look at your home's architectural style and siding colour to decide which colour options suit it. Then, sift through these ideal roofing colours to find the one you like the best. If you have yet to find one that suits your style and home, keep looking! There are plenty of manufacturers to choose from, and sometimes it takes a while to find your perfect fit. 

Should the roof be darker or lighter than the house?

It all depends on your home! As a basic rule of thumb, traditional homes look better with neutral, classic, and muted colours like black, grey, brown, or tan, while modern home styles have a bit more freedom to experiment with bold, bright colour palettes.

Factor #2: Neighbourhood Styles

Every neighbourhood builds its own aesthetic and style, so stepping outside your property bounds and walking around the block is crucial. Your home doesn't need to be a cookie-cutter copy of your neighbours' homes, but it should still fit well with the overall neighbourhood vibe. Colour has a huge impact here, so take note of neighbouring rooftops and roof shingles colours. Most popular roof colours will be present, but you may see a few fun pops of colour that give you more freedom to pick an adventurous tone. 

Factor #3: Honour Your HOA

Beyond trying to fit into your neighbourhood's style, you may be legally limited in your roof shingles' colours. If you live in a community with a Homeowner's Association, you probably already know they can be somewhat picky about the styles they deem acceptable to maintain a certain level of uniformity. If they dictate you can't have brown roof shingles and you want brown roof shingles, you will face an uphill battle to get them approved that may not be worth the fight. 

Check your HOA's regulations before you even begin looking at roof paint colours so you aren't tempted by or disappointed if a colour or style you want lies outside their requirements. 

Factor #4: Hot Summers & Cold Winters

Bad weather literally weathers our home exteriors, so you'll want to choose a colour that looks good now and will keep looking good over the next 15-30 years. Consider how a colour will look as it inevitably fades under the heat of the summer and the snow and ice of the winter. 

Should roof shingles be light or dark?

Consider how the colour will interact with weather conditions, too. Light colours reflect sunlight so that less is absorbed and your home stays cooler, while dark roof colours have the opposite effect. Of course, dark-coloured asphalt roofs aren't all bad - they're warmer in the summer but also warmer in the winter for the same reason!

Factor #5: Your Home's Size

Colour strongly affects our perception of size, so it's a critical consideration if you want to change how big or small your home appears from the curb. Light colours make homes appear larger, while darker hues make them appear smaller. If you want to avoid making your roof a focal element, darker tends to blend better. 

Factor #6: Resale Value

Resale value is always a consideration, even if you don't plan to sell anytime soon. Since the average asphalt shingle roof lasts 20-30 years, the roof you choose will likely still be kicking if and when you decide to sell your home.

What colour roof is best for resale?

Neutral, muted colours are safe because they appeal to a broader pool of homebuyers. While a fun pop of green might appeal to some buyers, it will turn others off. You'll likely still be able to find buyers that love a unique roofing choice, but you may also be limiting the offers you receive and, therefore, your resale value. 

Factor #7: Longevity & Maintenance

Certain roofing colours require more maintenance than others, so consider whether a colour will more easily show or hide dirt, debris, staining, and build-up over the years. Again, a higher maintenance colour isn't impossible to manage, but it requires you to invest more time. 

Some roofing warranties vary based on colour choice because they affect the shingles' longevity. Always research warranties for each colour option you're interested in to see how well-protected you'll be over the years. 

Factor #8: Lighting Conditions 

You shouldn't decide on your shingle colour in a showroom. While you might love those asphalt shingles in artificial lighting, you must take samples outside to test how they look in natural sunlight.

Shingles will look different in direct sunlight versus a shaded lot, just as they look different at dawn, midday, and dusk. Test different colours by holding them up to your siding throughout the day for an accurate visual of how they will blend with your home. 

Conclusion: How Do I Pick a Roof Colour?

After weighing all of these essential factors, you should be able to determine which roofing colour suits your style and needs while increasing your home's curbside appeal. 

Need a little extra help choosing a shingle colour? 

Our expert roofing team is ready to compare shingle samples, answer your questions, and give you a free roofing estimate - call (905) 544-4667 today.