Choosing A Roof Color
Among the many aspects of a roof you will have to consider when thinking of a new installation – material, cost, weather-resistance, durability – color may not be at the top of the list. Roof color, however, is an important factor in any home’s curb appeal; the decision you make today will impact that appeal for many years to come. While you may initially feel overwhelmed when presented with all the different manufacturer color selection brochures, there are several things you can do to help narrow down your options.
Since an experienced Middletown roofing contractor has overseen roof installations on many different styles of homes, he or she is an excellent source for advice and suggestions. There is also help via online planning tools on home design and roofing material manufacturer websites. These can allow you to use a photo of your home, or one with a similar building style, to visualize what different tones might look like once installed. Looking at different color combinations on other houses can give you an idea of what you might like and also of what you definitely don’t want.
You’ll also need to decide whether you want your home to stand out from the others in the neighborhood. In some housing developments, it’s difficult to distinguish one house from another; a more eye-popping color can fight this cookie-cutter effect.
Perhaps your HOA has rules against this, in which case the roof colors in your area will dictate the kinds of choices you can make. Also, if you think you might be selling, most Realtors advocate neutral tones. The new owners might want to repaint or remodel, and that bolder, statement-making roof color you liked probably won’t work for them.
To avoid a monochromatic or matching effect, you’ll want to choose a roof color that contrasts with the home’s siding or exterior paint color, perhaps picking up on tones in features like shutters and window sashes. Experts agree that you should especially focus on brick and stone facets. They’re long-lasting characteristics that you can’t or won’t easily paint over, so you’ll want to choose a color that won’t clash with them. Architectural shingles have become popular lately because of their eye-catching, patchy style. However, be aware that combining them with other elements such as steep roofs, stone exteriors, wooden decks and brightly colored siding can result in a busy, overdone look. If possible, obtain samples of actual shingles from manufacturers and hold them up to your home’s exterior in different types of light to get a better idea of the finished look. Have a question regarding new roofs or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.
Term explained by roofing contractor Fortified Roofing, Middletown NJ:
Architectural shingles
Architectural shingles, also known as dimensional shingles, come in more than one shape and size, as opposed to traditional 3-tab asphalt shingles where every shingle is shaped exactly the same. As a result, architectural shingles have additional shadowing and tend to mimic the look of a shake roof.
Question and answer courtesy of Fortified Roofing, local Middletown roofing company:
Does a roof’s color affect heating and cooling costs?
A lighter roof shingle color helps radiate the sun’s heat, keeping attics cooler and reducing the need for air conditioning. On the other hand, by absorbing the sun’s warmth in winter, darker roof colors help keep the uppermost rooms in a home warmer, especially in the spring and fall when there’s little or no snow. You’ll want to think about whether you prioritize heating over cooling or vice versa. The savings on utility bills may not be big, but every little bit helps.
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