Having a new shingle roof installed on your home comes with several advantages. A new shingle roof gives you the opportunity to completely alter the curb appeal with an updated look, shape, and styling of your home. One of the toughest decisions homeowners face when installing a new shingle roof is what color shingles to install.
More specifically, is dark shingles a better option than light colored shingles?
Whichever color you choose, remember, a shingle roof can last upwards of thirty years. We’re not saying you’ll have this roof forever, but you will have a very long time. To help you decide whether dark or light shingles are best for your home, we’ve put together a list of considerations when choosing.
5 Considerations When Deciding on a Shingle Color
1. Design Of Your Home
The current design of your home will influence the color of the shingles you choose. For example, the color of your exterior walls should be complimented by your roof. So, if you have a gray or blue colored house, darker shingles will look better. On the contrary, lighter brown and cream tones will match brown, cream or tan colored houses. For houses that are a bit more exotic, like green, red, or yellow, you have a little more flexibility when selected a shingle color.
2. Check With Your HOA
Many neighborhoods have homeowners associations that dictate the color of materials that can be used. If your home is within an HOA, be sure to check with them before putting too much effort into selecting a color for your new shingle roof. Guidelines are typically set to ensure your roof does not clash with your neighbors’. While you might want to make a statement with your roof and select a noteworthy color, it may not be OK with the HOA.
3. Where You Live
The color of your shingle roof can significantly influence the temperature of your attic, which in turn can affect the temperature inside your home. When you are deciding on a color for your shingles, take into consideration the climate in which you live. The lighter the shingles, the more sunlight will be deflected from your roof. Choosing these shingles will help keep temps down inside your home, especially during the warmer months, and your HVAC systems will get a little bit of a break.
On the flip side, darker shingles might be best for your home if you live in an area with a cooler climate. The dark color will absorb the rays from the sun and help heat your home. Additionally, during the cooler months, snow and ice will melt faster from roofs with darker colored shingles.
4. Surrounding Environment
Taking the landscape around your home into consideration when selecting a color for your roof can help you decide. To get the best aesthetics, the color of your roof may depend on your surrounding environment. For example, in Arizona, we have a lot of warm tones in our landscape. This is why many homes have tile roofs, but brown toned shingle roofs are also very popular. Considering the environment can certainly help you decide on a shingle color.
5. Your Personal Preference
No matter how much you read and research, in the end, your color choice for your roof is your own personal preference. Regardless of what designers might say, you ultimately should choose whichever color you see as best for you.
Work With A Pro
If you can’t decide on a color yourself, contact a professional to help you choose a new roofing color. They will be able to offer you expert advice and provide you with samples to see on your roof before you decide. No matter what, be sure you like the color enough to look at it for at least 30 years.
Craven Construction is your East Valley roofing professional. For nearly two decades we have provided quality shingle roofs in the surrounding area. Our team is experienced with roofs of every shape and size to get the job done efficiently. We are also licensed and insured for added peace of mind when hiring our crew. Contact our office to schedule a FREE estimate and discover the best color for your new roof.
Are you ready to install a shingle roof on your home?
About Craven Construction
Craven Construction is dedicated to providing our customers with honest and reliable roofing services. With over two decades of residential and commercial experience, we are here to serve you and all of your roofing needs.
Our team of experienced roofers is licensed and knowledgeable in working with all types of roofing. We offer high quality roofing services and are capable of getting your project completed in a timely, efficient manner.