Roofing Help: How to Choose a Color

Many people fail to put much thought into their roofing materials. They let the contractors do the choosing for them and sit back until it’s finished. Many homeowners are unaware of the many choices they have when it comes to their shingles, including when it comes to color. The color of your roof can make an enormous difference in how your house is perceived. It should not be an afterthought or a decision left to the contractors. There are a number of factors that play in to choosing the right color. Here are some tips for making the right choice.

One of the most important aspects of choosing a new color is to find one that matches the rest of the house in a pleasing way. That certainly doesn’t mean picking the same color as the rest of the house. Rather, choose one that acts as the perfect accent for the color of the exterior. If there is a wood trim along the top of the house that already sets it off from the rest of the house, it might work to pick a roof that matches that color exactly.

Look at other houses in the area. Is there a general scheme that you could follow. No one likes to think of their house as seamlessly blending in with every other house in the neighborhood, but it can be a mistake to go so far off the course that your home sticks out like a sore thumb. Not only is that bad aesthetically, but studies have shown that so-called “stand out” houses can actually be more susceptible to crimes and burglaries. Don’t be afraid to use the surrounding terrain as well when you choose a color. Roofing choices can be made by matching the color of the roof with the primary colors of the surrounding area.

Finally, never forget that style should always follow function and not the other way around. If you live in a hot or cold environment, you want a roof that will keep you as well insulated as possible. A black roof can mean your air conditioning system will be doing twice the work if you live in a hot climate. You’ll want to choose a light colored roof that will reflect as much of the sun’s heat away from your house as possible. The opposite is, of course, true of colder climates. You’ll want dark colored roofing to absorb the sun’s rays and keep as much heat in as you can.