Buying a roof is a long term commitment. You want to know you’ll be happy with your new roof for the next 20-30 years. Not only is the material important, but the color of your roof should also be taken into consideration. Shingle colors should help boost the curb appeal and resale value of a house. A shingle color has to work with the house and it’s style, compliment the neighborhood and also please the homeowner.

Here are some tips for choosing a shingle color:

Match to your house

Your home has a distinctive style. Try to coordinate the color of your shingles to the colors of other elements of your home. From bricks to siding to paint color, your homes style is a reflection of you. Is your home traditional or modern? For example: A Spanish style home might look good with reddish clay-colored roof shingles which would mimic traditional clay roofing tiles.

Tip: Choose a color based off your brick. Pain and shutter colors can always change while bricks are more permanent. Compare sample shingle colors to your brick, then move to siding and paint colors.

Dark vs. light roof colors

While darker colors tend to make homes look smaller and lighter colors tend to make a home look larger, picking dark vs light is mostly up to preference. One study does state that plywood sheathing under black shingles was 10 degrees warmer than an identically shingled roof on a sunny day, However, the study also found less of a difference between other shades of roofs. When in doubt, pick a color you like. You’ll have to live with it for a long time.

Tip: If your roof is simple, try a darker color. If you have a more complex roof, a lighter color will bring out it’s design elements more than a darker roof.

Don’t match too much

You don’t want to perfectly match your shingles to your siding or brick. The result will be a monotone, boring and lifeless colorscheme. Complimentary colors add dimension and interest to your roof.

Simple shingle color

Tone down your exterior with a simple shingle color. If the rest of your home is busy with multicolored brick or multiple pain colors, choose a toned down shingle color. On the opposite, if your home has a monotone feel, a vivid roof color is a good choice to add some curb appeal.

Curb appeal

Curb appeal is something you should always think about, no matter if you are staying in you home long-term or thinking of selling. A neutral color will keep your house looking current throughout the decades. On the contrast, a more striking color can also work to distinguish your house. Think about how you can best increase your curb appeal when picking your shingle color.

Talk to your neighbors.

If you live in a complex run by an association, make sure there aren’t any rules for choosing a shingle color. Some like for all homes to look the same. If you don’t live in a complex, take a look at your neighbors and their roofs. If you like it, think about a similar color and style and how it would compliment your home. You don’t want to duplicate completly, but you also don’t want to clash. If you want to stand out, look at how alternative shingle colors and styles can make your home unique.

Resale Value

You may really like a bold, bright roof color, but not everyone does. If you are thinking of selling your home in the next few years, consider a more neutral color. This will appeal to the majority of buyers and make it easier for you to sell your home. If you are staying in your home for a long time, a bold color can add character and charm to your home.