How To Choose The Color Of Roofing Shingles: 9 Steps - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Choose the Color of Roofing Shingles PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Picking a Color for Your Home and Location 2 Using Shingles for Design Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by David Bitan

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 Approved

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This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 570,029 times.

Your roof is one of the most important parts of the exterior of your home, and choosing the best color for your shingles will ensure that your home looks beautiful. In general, roofs last about 20 years, so you might be stuck with the shingle color for quite a while. To make an informed decision, you should consider your home style, the look that you want to achieve, and the climate where you live.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Picking a Color for Your Home and Location

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  1. Step 1 Choose a color that pairs well with the color of your house. 1 Choose a color that pairs well with the color of your house. Shingles can create contrast with your siding materials, or they can blend in with the other design features of your home. If you want to go the traditional route, stick with gray, brown, or black shingles. For a contrasting pop of color, opt for reddish-orange shades or lighter tan colors.
    • You can also choose to incorporate a mix of colors, like gray and black or tan and brown shingles for a staggered effect.

    Siding and Shingle Color Combinations

    If your house is white, gray, yellow, or blue, stick with gray or black shingles to create a stately-looking contrast.

    For red or yellow brick houses, choose between black, brown, and gray shingles.

    With natural siding, like stone or earth-toned vinyl, opt for brown or tan shingles to coordinate with the exterior of the home.

  2. Step 2 Accentuate the architectural style of your home with your shingles. 2 Accentuate the architectural style of your home with your shingles. Drive around several neighborhoods to get an idea of what color of roofing would look best on your home. Look for houses with a similar shape, exterior, and color as yours. Note which roofing and siding pairings seem to look the most appealing to you, and search online for houses that are architecturally similar to yours.[1]
    • For example, a ranch house might look good with a combination of colors while a traditional colonial would benefit from shingles with one solid color.
    • A Spanish style home might look good with reddish clay-colored roof shingles which would mimic traditional clay roofing tiles, for example.
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  3. Step 3 Install a “cool roof” to make your home more energy efficient. 3 Install a “cool roof” to make your home more energy efficient.[2] Opting for an energy efficient roof can lower the temperature of your attic by 20–40 °F (−7–4 °C). If you live in a warm climate, install this type of roof to help lower your electricity bills and improve the longevity of your roofing materials.[3]
    • If you don’t want to install a true cool roof, remember that white or light shingles reflect sunlight and help keep the temperature of your home down. Dark shingles absorb heat and will help homes in colder climates stay warm. They also help melt snow and ice from your roof.

    Understanding Cool Roofing

    According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a cool roof is any form of roofing that is designed to reflect more light than traditional roofing. Some methods of cool roofing involve using reflective paint, installing a covering for the shingles, or simply replacing dark shingles with light shingles.

  4. Step 4 Check rules about shingle colors if you live in a residential neighborhood. 4 Check rules about shingle colors if you live in a residential neighborhood. If you have a local homeowners association, read their rules carefully to make sure your choice of roofing color does not violate any regulations. Even if you don't have set rules to follow, think about how your roof will look alongside your neighbor's house.[4]
    • If many of the homes in your neighborhood have the same style of roof, it might be a good sign that that color works well with those types of houses.
  5. Step 5 Talk to a certified roofer or contractor about the shingles. 5 Talk to a certified roofer or contractor about the shingles. [5] Take photos of the exterior of your home to a certified roofer or contractor. Browse options from a catalogue, or take shingle samples home with you to see them in person. If you have a picture of the type of look that you want to achieve, bring that along with you to give them an idea of what you want.
    • If you can’t find a certified roofer or contractor near you, visit a hardware store to view their shingle samples and get an idea of their roofing process.
    • A reputable certified roofer will have a license or certification from your state’s department of labor, and should be able to provide you with proof of liability insurance and a written proposal for the roofing job.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Using Shingles for Design

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  1. Step 1 Make a statement with the shingle design or shape. 1 Make a statement with the shingle design or shape. Consult with a shingle designer about incorporating a design into your shingles. Try staggering blues with taupes and browns for a natural-toned roof with a cooler undertone. Ask about scalloping or layering to draw attention to your roof.[6]
    • Keep in mind that high-contrast colors, like gray and cream together, will highlight features of your home while low-contrast colors, like tan and brown together, tend to hide defects.
  2. Step 2 Choose clay, slate, or wooden shingles for an a unique look. 2 Choose clay, slate, or wooden shingles for an a unique look. Today, shingles are available in a variety of different materials. Visit a store to get a feel for all of the options, and don’t be afraid to choose a shingle type other than asphalt. Keep in mind that asphalt shingles tend to hold up well over time in various climates, while materials like clay and slate can break easily.
    • Remember that shingles made of different materials will usually require an additional installation fee, due to their fragile nature.

    Exploring Different Shingle Materials

    Clay: Clay tiles are traditionally shades of red or tan. Most clay tiles are fired in a kiln before being installed, which ensures that they will hold their color for a long time.

    Slate: This natural rock can be cut into thin shingles and used for roofing material. Slate tends to be quite expensive, and the colors are limited to shades of gray.

    Wood: Wooden shingles, or shakes, are made from cedar, redwood, or pine trees. They tend to have a natural brown color and are popular in areas of California and the Northwest United States. Wooden shingles are prohibited in some areas due to low levels of fire safety.

  3. Step 3 Opt for a color that blends with your siding to make the house seem larger. 3 Opt for a color that blends with your siding to make the house seem larger. Low-contrast roofs are ideal for toning down the appearance of your home and making smaller houses look taller. Choose a color that appears to be a continuation of the siding to draw the eye upward. Avoid harsh colors like white or black, which can break the home into sections.[7]
    • For example, if you have a ranch house with brown stone siding, choose shades of brown and taupe for the shingles.
    • For brick houses, this might mean incorporating shades of brown and red in your roof. For houses with natural tones on the outside, stick with gray, taupe, and brown for the roof.
  4. Step 4 Plan around architectural features, like dormers and sloped roofs. 4 Plan around architectural features, like dormers and sloped roofs. When you’re thinking about adding a new roof, account for the features of your house that make it unique. If your roof is very visible when you’re looking at your home from the outside, take time to think about what would make those features stand out.[8]
    • If you’re having trouble deciding which features to highlight, consult with an architectural designer or roofer to make a decision on your roofing color.
    • For example, if your home has a flat roof, you might consider going for a less visually-appealing option, like concrete or simple gray asphalt.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question What color shingle goes with olive paint? Community Answer Community Answer Try a warm or cool brown. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 29
  • Question What is the best color of roofing shingle to save energy in Colorado? Community Answer Community Answer If you're heating your home more, then go darker. If you're cooling it more, then go lighter. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 39
  • Question If our house is navy blue, would a dark charcoal roof with blue speckles be too much blue? Community Answer Community Answer Personally, I think so. I would try a color like charcoal black with white speckles. This will involve charcoal, but not too much blue. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 20
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Tips

  • Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbors and family members about their experience with roofers and choosing shingle colors. They might be able to recommend a designer or roofer who helped them make a decision on shingle color. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/roofs/roof-designs-styles/#slide_75d220b1-826f-4b97-b2b2-638149e22929
  2. ↑ David Bitan. Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-home-design/cool-roofs
  4. ↑ https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-power-do-hoas-have.htm
  5. ↑ David Bitan. Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/roofs/roof-designs-styles/#slide_9c885cd1-088b-4673-86ab-1eedae514e88
  7. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/roofs/roof-designs-styles/#slide_3878e942-6e48-478b-b332-a08201a98026
  8. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/roofs/roof-designs-styles/#slide_4d47fdf8-80c4-445d-9752-dd3d848ebc8f

About This Article

David Bitan Co-authored by: David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. This article has been viewed 570,029 times. 9 votes - 76% Co-authors: 27 Updated: October 27, 2025 Views: 570,029 Categories: Roofs Article SummaryX

To choose the color of roofing shingles, go with a color that pairs well with the color of your house. If your house is white, gray, yellow, or blue, opt for gray or black shingles to create a stately contrast. For a red or yellow brick house, try black, brown, or gray shingles to complement the brick. If your home has natural siding, like stone or earth-tone vinyl, stick with brown or tan shingles to match the natural color scheme. To learn how to choose a color of roofing shingles that will make your house appear larger, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Steve Knight

    Steve Knight

    Mar 22, 2019

    "I have a white bi-level with a blue-gray trim and shutters. Wanting to re-roof the house, and I have decided to go..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. David Bitan Co-authored by: David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional 9 votes - 76% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 27 Updated: October 27, 2025 Views: 570,029 Steve Knight

Steve Knight

Mar 22, 2019

"I have a white bi-level with a blue-gray trim and shutters. Wanting to re-roof the house, and I have decided to go..." more E. M.

E. M.

Oct 26, 2017

"I have roofers on my house now. I wish I had seen this site earlier. I live in GA and am having a dark roof..." more Denise Seaton

Denise Seaton

Oct 10, 2016

"I've been looking for an article with specific advice like this one. What colors go well together, and what..." more Melanie Petchak

Melanie Petchak

Oct 2, 2018

"Buying a house to rent to family. Didn't realize you could mix charcoal and black shingles for a subtle..." more Charlie Williams

Charlie Williams

Dec 30, 2016

"I never would have thought about other factors that come into play when choosing a color for a roof." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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