Have you been thinking about investing in a new roof? Deciding on a new roof color may seem like a purely aesthetic choice, but the shade you choose can impact everything from your home's energy efficiency to its resale value. Follow this guide to choose the right hue for your roof when working with roof replacement companies.

Take Stock of Your Home's Exterior

Before settling on a color, take a step back and look at the big picture. Note the color scheme of your home's exterior elements, like the siding, trim, shutters, front door, and even the landscaping. Consider how a new roof color will coordinate or clash with the existing palette. Neutral roof shades like black, gray, brown, or beige tend to be versatile options that complement most color schemes.

Browse online photos to see which roof shade possibilities might suit your home's current design. Edit images to digitally change the roof color and get a preview of how options like black, brown, slate gray, and navy, could look on your home. The right hue can beautifully enhance your house's architectural style. Don't be afraid to get creative with bold and unexpected colors like blue, emerald, or burnt orange if they complement other exterior elements.

Factor in Regional Home Styles

Home design trends can vary depending on where you live. If you're looking to boost potential resale value down the road, choosing a roof color that aligns with popular regional architecture styles is a smart move. For example, stone-coated metal roofing may be a popular choice where you're from, while asphalt roofing might be the predominant choice in another neighborhood. When in doubt, consult with local roof replacement companies to ask which hues blend best with homes in your area.

Assess Light Reflection

The shade you see on a sample chip isn't necessarily the color your roof will appear to be from street level after it's installed on your home. Factors like sunlight intensity and the angle of light reflection can alter the way a color is perceived. Cooler paint colors often appear darker in full sunlight, while warmer tones may intensify in brightness. Be sure to take light reflection into account when making your decision, and ask roof replacement companies for input specific to your home.

Think About Your Home's Energy Efficiency

In addition to aesthetics, roof color impacts temperature regulation. Lighter and more reflective shades like white, light gray, and light beige reflect more sunlight to keep attics cooler during summer. Darker hues like brown, charcoal gray, and black will absorb more heat from sunlight. Our experts have found that these darker colors can reach up to 140 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer day. If you live in a climate with extreme summers, a lighter roof promotes energy efficiency. Darker roofs retain more heat during winter and reduce heating costs in colder climates. Consult local roof replacement companies for recommendations tailored to your region.

Evaluate How Much Maintenance Your Roof Will Need

Roof replacement companies will tell you that long-lasting asphalt and composite shingles can last decades depending on climate and roof slope. However, our experts have found that appearances can start fading after a few years. How quickly you want to re-coat or replace your roof should factor into choosing the right color. While dark roofs show dirt accumulation less, the most fade-resistant colors are warmer neutral tones in the brown, taupe, chestnut, gray, and charcoal color families. These deeper hues don't fade as quickly in UV light. If you want to go with other options, add a UV-protective coating.

Choosing a new roof color requires balancing personal style, home resale value, and coordination with your house's overall exterior design. Consider all these practical factors along with regional home trends as you choose shades to sample. For example, you may want metal roofing if you want more color options. According to Bob Vila, an online home improvement resource, modern metal roofing comes in more than 100 different colors, while asphalt roofing typically only comes in about 15 to 20 options. If you want help while looking for new roofing materials, including roofing colors, roof replacement companies can help. Reach out to Neill and Son Roofing today to get started with a free estimate for our premier roofing services!