What to Consider When Choosing a Roof Color

The roof is one of the most visible elements of your home’s exterior appearance. This means that the roof serves both a functional and an aesthetic role. Choosing your roof’s color is, therefore, one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. At Aspen Home Improvements, we understand that a roof could change the entire look of your home. It is important to make the right roofing decisions as this will not only affect your home’s visual appeal but its value as well. In this article, we’ll let you know what to consider when choosing a roof color.

1. Your Home’s Architectural Style

Your home’s style affects the material you’ll use for your roof. Some architectural design styles only accommodate certain roof colors. For instance, historical homes are the most appealing in traditional colors. Choosing greys and blacks with textures that mimic natural slate or tiles will harmonize the roof with the exterior elements. Rustic homes and modern villas favor the less formal roof colors. In this case, your roof could be anywhere between muted greys and accented browns. These will organically complement the curb elements, giving the home an open, relaxed feeling.

2. Prominent Landscaping Features

Besides being in harmony with your home’s exterior style, the roof should also blend well with the eye-catching features in your compound. You should coordinate your roof colors with those found elsewhere in the walkways, stone gardens, the gate, and even vegetation. These elements will probably last longer than your roof and play a huge role in the exterior appearance of your property. When it comes to color coordination, you should understand which elements to match, which ones to complement, and which ones to contrast. Contrasting colors will offer a higher visual impact, but remember to keep the shade within reasonable limits.

3. The Local Climate

Your roof has a huge role to play in the temperature management of your house. Lighter colors reflect sunlight while darker colors absorb most of the heat radiated from the sun. If you live in a warm area, you should invest in a light-colored roof that will keep the heat away from your attic. This will reduce your cooling expenses, especially in the summer. If you live in colder climates, you could benefit from a darker-colored roof which will keep your interior warmer. You will spend less on heating bills while your family stays comfortable even on the coldest days.

4. Neighborhood and Home Owners Association (HOA) Laws

While you may want your roof to stand out, you don’t want to go against local regulations. Some of these jurisdictions have subdivision rules and covenants the determine the type of materials you can use in your property. Some areas may resist certain roof colors owing to construction policy. How your roof looks in comparison to others in your neighborhood also affects your home’s resale value. If there are no restrictions on the roofing style and color, you may want to decide whether you’d want to match your neighbor’s roof or look different.

5. Material

Some materials offer you a wide range of color options. Metal roofs and Asphalt shingles can be manufactured in virtually any color. This is because painting and a finish are usually added to the roof toward the end of the manufacturing process. With these materials, you can get creative with the mixing and matching options. Roofing materials with natural colors always offer limited options. Slate and tile roofs fall in this category. These materials can, therefore, only be used on select house styles. The material also determines the durability of your roof’s luster. Naturally-colored materials offer a long-lasting shine while metal and Asphalt shingles deteriorate within a few decades.

6. Building and Environmental Codes

You may be required to choose a particular color finish to satisfy building regulations. Some states may require roofs that are compliant with certain laws to help in energy management and environmental conservation. Some areas, such as airport-adjacent estates, may inhibit the use of certain roof colors that hinder operations. A professional roofing contractor will be familiar with the relevant building code and help you pick the right color for your roof.

Conclusion

If you consider the 6 factors we’ve mentioned above, you’ll be on your way to getting the most appealing and appropriate color for your roof. It is advisable to work with a professional roofing contractor for the best results. If you are in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, contact Aspen Home Improvements today. With over 25 years of roofing experience, we will help you choose the best roofing color for your home. Get in touch with one of our representatives so we can schedule a consultation regarding your roofing project.