Once you’ve decided on the most important ones like which shingles to use and who you’re hiring to do the work, there’s one more question, which stumps a lot of people…
“What colour would you like to go with?”
Most people haven’t given their roof colour a lot of thought, but it’s a decision that can affect the overall look of your home, enhancing its curb appeal and increasing its value.
Your roof will be there for a long time — especially if you’ve chosen high-quality shingles — so you only have one chance to get the colour right. In this post, we’ll go over some colour basics to make it easier for you to choose.
The concept of warm colours versus cool colours is based on the colour wheel and the emotional associations that people typically have with certain colours. Warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows are associated with warmth, energy and vibrancy. Cool colours, such as blues, greens and purples, evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, and serenity.
When it comes to choosing a colour for your roof, you want to make sure it’s in harmony with the colour temperature of your house. If your home’s exterior has warm tones, for example, a warm-coloured roof will complement those tones.
Of course, you can mix warm and cool tones to create visual interest, but the overall effect should still be balanced and harmonious. To avoid an expensive mistake, get colour samples and place them side by side so you can determine the effect the colours have on each other before you commit to a roof colour.
A roof colour that is considered “classic” has proven to be popular over time and is broadly appealing. These colours are generally neutral and complement a wide range of architectural styles and aesthetics. Grey, brown, and beige, navy blue and charcoal are often considered classic roof colours because they are neutral and understated, rather than bold and trendy.
By choosing a classic roof colour, your home's exterior remains attractive and visually appealing to a large segment of the population — something that is especially important if you intend to sell your property in the near future.
But if you absolutely love a new trendy colour, go for it. Just remember that it could make your home look dated in a few years… like avocado-coloured appliances.
Generally speaking, your roof and the exterior of your home should contrast in colour. Light-coloured siding looks best on a home with a dark-coloured roof — and vice versa. A darker roof with lighter siding is more common, especially in our Northern climate.
Light and dark-coloured roofs each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice depends on a variety of factors, including your climate, the style of your home, and your personal preferences. For example, light-coloured roofs reflect sunlight and heat, keeping your home cooler in hot climates, whereas dark roofs absorb more heat, making it a good choice for homes in colder climates.
Lighter coloured shingles might last longer than dark coloured shingles because of the way they react to light and heat, but this shouldn’t be an issue with higher grade materials.
What looks perfect and normal in some neighbourhoods looks completely out of place in others. In the Caribbean, for example, brightly coloured buildings with light roofs are the norm… try and do that up here in the Niagara region and your home will be the most well-known on the block! If that’s not the kind of attention you want, consider a colour combination more in keeping with the aesthetics of the neighbourhood you live in. If you want to add some colour for interest, you can always paint your front door.
The colour of your home's roof can impact a potential buyer's first impression of your property and affect its perceived value.
Ultimately, the colour you choose for your roof is exactly that — your choice. Picking a roof colour to complement your home and neighbourhood is a big decision, so be sure to do your homework.
At Horizons Roofing, we’ve replaced hundreds of roofs, so we’ll be able to help guide you and help make this decision easier, giving you one less thing to stress about. Getting started is easy… just get in touch and ask us for a free estimate.
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