How to Pick the Right Shingle Color for your Home

Picking the right shingle color can be a grueling process.  It\’s something you are  going to be stuck with for the next 25-30 years so it is a very important decision to make – especially if you plan on selling the property.  Factors going into this decision should include:

  • the colors and style of the rest of the home,
  • the age of your home,
  • the climate,
  • the surrounding homes and landscape.

An important note to take on energy efficiency is that different shingle colors reflect the suns powerful rays differently.  White shingles will reflect the summer heat better, leaving your house cooler.  Black shingles absorb more of the suns rays which will raise the temperature of your home.  This is particularly important for us because of our harsh winter climate in Atlantic Canada – black shingles will help keep your house warm and also melt off snow build-up on your roof.

  • Another important factor of black and white shingles is the illusion they create.  Black asphalt shingles will make your home appear smaller while white does the opposite – making your home appear larger than it is.

 If you choose the safe route with colors such as white or black shingles, your home could be missing out on a great opportunity to stand out because it looks flat and featureless. If you decide to go with a rich vibrant color, it may contrast with your home or your neighbors homes making it stick out like a sore thumb.  The best asphalt shingles will compliment your home – its like wearing a matching hat that ties together your outfit.

When roofing an older home you should pay special attention to historically accurate color schemes.  You can find old color charts online.  This only applies if the rest of your home still retains its historic authenticity – there is no point in trying to find historically accurate colors if your old home has already been re-painted with vibrant colors.  If you plan on re-painting your old home with modern colors after you get a roof installed than it is a good idea to have a color scheme planned out beforehand.   While modern colors on old homes can produce dramatic and beautiful results, make sure the new colors won\’t be too contrasting to your neighbors.

  • If you have a brick exterior to your home or stone veneer, then we recommend a brown or cream colored shingle.

A good tip is to borrow colors from the landscape around you. If your home is surrounded by trees then earthy shingle tones of green and brown would look nice and compliment the property. If you live near the beach or water then consider sandy tones of yellow and beige or blues and coral greens.  If you live in a heavy residential area than your best bet is to either choose neutral colors or colors that compliment the trim of your house.  Some home owners associations have rules and guidelines for roof colors so make sure to consult them before deciding on a final color.

Here at Refined Roofing we pride ourselves on being to offer the largest shingle selection in Halifax because we don\’t use a single shingle supplier.  We are trained and certified to install all of the major roofing brands including Gaf, Certainteed, BP, and IKO.