When it's time for a new roof, you must decide on the material, color, and pattern. Most homeowners choose asphalt shingles because this is the most affordable option, and the roof is expected to last 20 years on average. You might like an entirely new color to change the appearance of the house. Consider some recommendations from the world of exterior design.
Problems to Avoid
The roof's color should not have a jarring effect against other permanent or semi-permanent features of the building. Consider the siding, gutters, fascia, shutters, doors, and window frames. Some colors clash and generally should not be placed near each other. You can find color wheels online showing which are complementary to one another.
A somewhat disconcerting aesthetic effect occurs when the roof's color is vastly different from all other hues on the building. Adding a charcoal-gray roof to a home with beige or tan siding may look intuitively odd if the gutters or shutters are white. One effective solution would be to paint the shutters light gray or black to provide the missing link.
Be careful to avoid selecting anything that is too similar to the siding or other features. That looks as though you tried to make everything the same but missed by a shade or two. If you want to have a green roof with green siding, for instance, select a hue that is different enough so it's obvious you weren't trying to match the two.
Choices That Stand Out
Do you want the house to stand out to a certain extent? Choose colors that are absent from the immediate neighborhood for an intriguing effect. A potentially agreeable example would be a blue roof with notes of gray, as long as that fits well with the rest of the home's exterior color scheme.
Considering the Future
Also, think about how long you plan to reside here. Do you expect to sell the home long before the roof will be replaced again? An unusual color, even if trendy now, can look very dated in 10 or 15 years. In addition, uncommon choices can drive away potential buyers.
If you'll be in this home for a long time yet, selecting a bold, bright, or assertive color can boost your satisfaction if this is a strong preference for you. Otherwise, consider a more subtle yet still unusual choice. An example would be warm neutral hues like ivory with a pale green tint or beige with a hint of rose.
Once you're ready to get started, it's time to begin calling roof replacement contractors for estimates.
