If your home needs a new roof, it's also an opportunity to give your home a fresh new look. Different styles of architecture require different roofing materials. Also, consider heat gain and potential roofing repairs each different type of roofing may require. For example, in a hot, sunny place like Arizona, white roofs are preferred to reflect the sun. On the other hand, a dark roof could help to keep a home in a cold climate warmer.
Architecture
Your style of architecture can dictate your roofing materials and colors. For example, red terracotta roofing tiles are perfect for the Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes. Log cabins often sport forest green metal roofs. Modern and minimalistic architecture can also look fabulous with an unpainted metal roof. Finally, colonial and cottage-style homes look good with wooden shake shingle roofs.
HOA
However, many homeowners must abide by HOA (homeowner's association) rules and regulations. In that case, the color choices for a home might be limited. Types of roofing materials might also be specified in your HOA agreement.
Environment Color
If you’re making the decision based on color, you’ll likely want to use asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of colors and are also the most common roofing material in modern homes. Roofing repairs for asphalt shingles are also relatively straightforward.
To choose the right color, first step back from your home, and take in the surrounding environment. For example, if you live in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, asphalt shingles in shades of brown, gray, and green complement the natural environment. The natural light in the far north has a bluish tint, and roofs in cool shades of gray and blue look serene.
On the other hand, roofs in the deserts of the Southwest require lighter shades of white and tan to keep the home cool.
Finally, classic red brick homes often look stunning with a dark-colored roof. Before you purchase any shingles, take home a sample to see how it might look on your home.
Climate
Once again, consider your climate. While a black roof might look stunning on a red brick house in Phoenix, it can add a significant amount of heat to the interior. But asphalt shingles that are California Title 24-compliant are available in a wide range of colors, from light to dark. These “cool shingles” are made with highly reflective granules to reflect the sun’s heat. If you live in a hot climate but would like a dark roof, this is something to consider.
Repairs
Sometimes you don’t need a whole roof replacement. Sometimes you just need some roofing repairs. These will be much more affordable than a whole roof replacement. Instead of finding a new material, you’ll simply need to match the repair materials to your existing roofing. Your roof repair contractor should be able to find a similar material to do the repairs in.
There are no hard and fast rules about selecting a roof color. But, take into consideration any HOA rules and your home's surrounding environment. By taking the time to make the right decision, you can save yourself a lot of money and a lot of headaches in the future.
