Chances are the roof isn’t the first thing you notice about your house. Most of the time, that is a good thing. Typically, a roof is made using neutral colors that blend in with the design of the home. Some people choose their roof to be a bold color, using it as focal point for the exterior of the home. One of the greatest challenges you can face when you are building your home or replacing your roof is choosing a shingle or metal color that compliments your home.
There are endless options for shingle or metal roof colors. Here are some tips on how to choose the basic color and material of roof for your home.
1. Don’t make the decision hastily
Take time to research your options when deciding on your new roof. It may not be the most important aspect of your design scheme, but it does contribute quite a bit to curb appeal and resale value. If your home has a high pitch or slope, you will see more of the roof from the street. Use those design aspects of your home to aid in your decision-making.
2. Consider your climate
Cleveland, Ohio experiences all four seasons. It tends to get hot and humid in the summertime, so you may want to avoid a dark color depending on the size of your roof. If you opt for asphalt shingles, find a product that offers algae-resistant granules.
3. View samples in different lighting conditions
The amount of natural light hitting the roof will vary throughout the day. Ask to view large samples of the colors you are deciding between during different times of day to get a true idea of their color.
4. Material of your home
Another important factor to consider is the material on the exterior of your home. A brick face without a lot of variation in color looks best with a dark gray or black roof. If your house has light gray siding, it may look best with a contrasting light and dark gray roof. If you are considering a bolder color for you roof, take samples home to compare with the exterior of your home. Installing a roof with a color that clashes with your exterior is not easy to fix.
5. Focus on the neighbors
When your home is in close proximity to other homes, it is important to be mindful of their roof color. When it comes time to sell your home, you don’t want your roof to stand out for the wrong reasons. Choose a shingle or metal color the blends well with the surrounding homes and the landscaping in your area.
6. Style of your home
The style of your home can aid in the decision-making process. Rustic, rural, and waterfront properties have a more relaxed feel and look great with weathered browns and light grays; classic or Victorian homes look best with a dark brown roof.
Now that you have a better idea of a color scheme for your roof, you need to choose a material. Most commonly used today are asphalt and metal, and each has different benefits and downfalls.
- Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material. They are typically the least expensive option and come in a wide variety of colors. Most shingles today are guaranteed to last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. One disadvantage of choosing this material is its commonality. If you are looking to have your roof stand out or be different from the neighbors, you might want to consider a different material.
- Metal roofs are typically made of galvanized steel. This type of roof was commonly found on barns or other agricultural buildings. These roofs are less expensive and are easy to install. More expensive metals like copper are elegant and can be found on some famous mansions. There are a lot of metal products in between the less expensive steel and more expensive copper. These options come in a variety of colors and could be a great choice for you home.
Find your Cleveland roofing contractor
Cleveland, Ohio has plenty of roofing contractors from which to choose, and Mr. Roof Cleveland offers the highest quality of service. Their trained professionals can come to your home to discuss the needs of your roof and help you choose the perfect color and material. You can feel confident that your roof will fit in aesthetically with the design of your home. Contact the professionals at Mr. Roof today to get a free estimate for your project and have any of your roofing questions answered.
