The best thing about upgrading your home is that even the smallest improvements can boost your home’s value. For instance, while a roof replacement is a significant project that requires a sizeable investment, a simple detail — like your chosen shingle color — can make all the difference.
If you pick the wrong shade, this could affect your home’s curb appeal and make your property less attractive to potential buyers.
Asphalt shingle roofs remain popular to this day, thanks to their excellent durability and longevity. And because asphalt shingles are a highly preferred roofing material, manufacturers offer them in a wide variety of colors.
The color of your asphalt shingles is not only important because it adds appeal to your home. It must be thoughtfully selected because the color of your roof can also have an impact on your home’s overall energy efficiency and long-term energy savings.
Of course, having several options can either be a boon or a bane. On one hand, a wide range of options means you’re more likely to find the specific color your need. On the other hand, you may find it difficult to choose the best color for your property.
Sometimes, it’s better to play it safe, especially if you plan on selling your home. Use popular color combinations so that your property will appeal to more potential buyers. This means that if your house is beige or cream, it would look good with black, brown, green, blue, or grey shingles. If you have red siding or brick veneers, this usually works well with deep gray, black, or dark-brown asphalt shingles.
Brown and warm gray shingles can pop out nicely on cream-colored houses, while light gray siding works well with dark gray roofs. White houses look great with virtually any asphalt shingle color, so feel free to take your pick.
If you want more freedom with your color options, you can change your home’s exterior color scheme after your roof replacement project. This way, you can also change the colors of your siding, trim and other exterior components. Make sure to plan your color scheme with a home remodeler, and don’t forget to check your CC&Rs if you live in an HOA community.
When choosing asphalt shingle colors, don’t forget about the type of architectural style you have. Victorian, Colonial, Queen Anne, Plantation and New England are traditional styles that look best in earthy colors. If you have a contemporary-style home, it might be better to go with a minimalist or bold color scheme. Your roof repair and replacement contractor will certainly have some recommendations for you based on your home’s architectural style.
Your HOA board may have a say on the asphalt shingle colors you choose, so don’t forget to check HOA guidelines and secure permits, if necessary. For some homeowners, these rules can be restricting. But for some, it makes material and color selection a lot easier. After all, you want your home to blend in with the community and not stand out for the wrong reasons.
If you don’t live in an HOA neighborhood, we still recommend taking a look at your neighbors’ roofs and seeing if there are colors that you like. Ideally, you should choose a roof color that looks good together with the other houses and not something that would make your home stick out like a sore thumb.
Shingle color can determine how much heat your roof absorbs. Dark-colored asphalt shingles tend to absorb more heat, while light-colored roofs reflect sunlight, thus absorbing less heat. That said, darker shingles are typically recommended in colder climates, while lighter shingles are often used in warmer climates. However, experts say that as long as you have excellent attic insulation and ventilation, you can use dark-colored shingles and your home’s energy efficiency and indoor comfort won’t be affected.
Apart from preventing excess heat from entering your living spaces, good insulation and ventilation also help extend the lifespan of your roofing system. Be sure to consult reputable contractors to ensure your attic insulation and ventilation are adequate.
Sunlight changes throughout the day, so an asphalt shingle color may look different in the morning and afternoon. The best way to evaluate asphalt shingle colors is to obtain large samples and test them under different lighting throughout the day. Don’t just base your choice on a swatch on your computer screen; seeing the real thing is a must.
When it comes to cost, your roofing contractor will likely point out that the roof’s size and material are the main factors that will affect your roofing budget. However, shingle color can also affect the price of your new roof. Typically, the cost of asphalt shingles varies depending on their quality. Architectural shingles in a designer color are usually more expensive, but sometimes the price difference between asphalt shingle product lines is less than you think.
To be sure, request quotes from reputable contractors. Compare the estimates they send you so that you’ll have a better idea of where you can get more value for your money. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should go with the lowest bid. Carefully review the breakdown of costs so that you know exactly what you’re getting.
Make sure to schedule meetings with the contractors too. It’s important that you talk to them about your project. This way, you can freely discuss your requirements and concerns and get to know more about the roofing company you’re potentially going to work with.
For your roof replacement project, always choose an experienced, certified, and reputable contractor. Deschutes Roofing is a GAF Master Elite® roofing company, so you can rest assured that our team uses the correct installation methods and high-quality materials for each project. We also offer strong warranties that will protect your investment.
To schedule a consultation, fill out our contact form or call us at (541) 241-5720 (Bend), (503) 967-9590 (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego) or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton).
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