Your roof is one of the most important structural aspects of your house. It keeps the snow, rain and woodland creatures out while also keeping the warmth in. But your roof also ties your whole home together. Choosing the right color palette for your roof is important, and ultimately your choice will be affected by numerous factors like your neighborhood home association rules, the climate in your area, the style of your home, and many other factors.
There are so many things that you need to think of when planning your new roof, including durability, the climate you live in, cost, color and ultimately, resale value. Did you know though, that all of these things can tie together in a lot of circumstances? The color of your roof can affect the amount of heat that penetrates your home, its curb appeal, and how long of a life you will get out of your roof. Unfortunately, this isn’t a very widely known fact about roofs. So, we’ll explain to you in a little more depth what goes into choosing the right color for your roof.
Siding and Roof Colors
We have all seen those homes where its different elements seem uncoordinated. Your roof ties your home’s external appearance together, so if you have a light pink home and choose to put a blue roof on, it could really throw off the style of your home. If you decide to sell your home while this color combination exists, you may lose out on potential offers due to the home not being aesthetically pleasing to others.
Your roof should accentuate your home. A general rule of thumb is that the roof should be a darker color than the siding.
For inspiration, take a drive through your neighborhood and look at everyone’s roof. What colors have been used by your neighbors? What do homes of a similar style to yours look like? What kind of roof are they using? This little tour of your area can definitely help you with ideas as to what is going to look best on your home.
Another thing that many don’t realize when it comes to shingles is that depending on where you live, the sun will give your roof a different hue. If you live further north you will notice a blue tint to your roof whereas in the south you will notice a reddish hue.
Temperature Control
The color of your roof can have a huge effect on energy consumption and the amount of radiant heat that penetrates your home during those hot summer months. If you have ever changed from a black shirt to a white one during the summer, then you already have some understanding of how this works.
Dark shingles absorb heat, which in colder climates is a definite plus. This can help keep your home warmer and will also assist with melting snow on your roof. But obviously, this isn’t ideal in hot climates. By using white or lighter colored shingles, you will cut down on the amount of heat that is absorbed, keeping the indoor temperature down.
If heat absorption is something that you are worried about when getting a new roof, there is the option of a “Cool Roof.” A cool roof provides a higher degree of solar reflectiveness, keeping the inside of your home cooler. These roofs have also been found to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution due to the decreased needs for air conditioning units in hot areas.
The Architectural Style of Your Home
Not all roofs are created equal, and not all types will work for every home. Classic-style homes look better with classic tones for shingles, whereas with more contemporary-styled homes you can get away with more modern and trendy colors and styles.
An example of using your home as a guide to choosing a shingle style would be with homes made of brick. Bricks do not come in a uniform color. There are different hues and color patterns in every single brick you pick up. When choosing a new roof, play off the color in the bricks. Having shingles that complement the colors of your home will bring an all-around unity to your home’s appearance.
Homeowner’s Association Bylaws
If you live in an urban or suburban area, you may be at the mercy of your Homeowner’s Association when it comes to what color your roof will be. Sometimes there are no set-in-stone rules, but other times there are rules that 100% need to be followed or you risk some sort of action from the association. In order to avoid having to re-do your roof once again, it is worthwhile to check on these rules.
The Resale Value of Your Home
Although this was briefly mentioned above, it is worth saying again. Your roof will drastically affect the resale value of your home. The curb appeal of your home is the first impression to potential buyers, and unfortunately if something looks “off” about your home, it could affect how long your home sits on the market and what people are willing to pay. It is always advisable to go with something neutral that will last.
As you can see there are many factors that go into choosing the perfect roof color for your home, and that can make it an extremely difficult decision. Make a list of what you know for sure that you want out of a new roof and go from there. Investigate pricing, the benefits of certain materials, and colors, and call Brunette to come in to help you with the final decision. With our expertise, we will give you our best advice on what will work for you, your roof, and your home.
