When making improvements to your home, most people start by focusing on the inside – updating the kitchen, adding a bathroom, or changing out the floors. But, talk to any realtor, and they’ll tell you that the big money is in curb appeal. That’s why, if you’re building a new home or looking to replace the roof, siding, or both on your current home, you should pay particularly close attention to how the colors of your roof and siding match up together.
Exact Color Match Vs Contrasting Colors
When looking at your neighbor’s roof and siding combinations, you’ll start to notice that most of them have contrasting colors – a light siding with a dark roof, or a light roof with a darker siding. Does this mean you can’t have exact color matches for both? Recent roofing and siding trends actually side with no.
Brighter roofing and siding combinations have begun popping up including white metal roofs with white siding. This combination is typically found in tropical areas like around the Gulf.
Contrasting colors can sometimes be more pleasing to the eyes, especially if pairing colors on the opposite end of the spectrum – think dark roof with a light siding. You can contrast different colors like a dark brown roof with a cream or off-white siding, or you can use different hues of the same color, like a dark blue roof and light blue siding.
As previously discussed with the white-on-white combination, some colors work better in certain conditions. Think about what you know about dark and light colors. Light colors more easily reflect sunlight, while darker colors retain heat. That’s why lighter roof colors do better in tropical environments or warmer areas, while darker roof colors do well in environments that need to stay warm during the winter months.
Ultimately, you get to decide what works best for your home’s color combination. Whether you like the sleek look of a white-on-white combo or the high contrast of a black roof and light grey siding, the decision is in your hands. If you’re in between a few options, look at your neighbors’ homes. What roof/siding combination fits in with their homes? Pick what you think creates the most curb appeal.
Your Roofing Options
It’s important to note that the color of your roof may be restricted by the type of materials used. The most common roofing materials include asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and clay tiles.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt Shingles Are The Most Common Residential Roofing Material In The US And Offer Low Reflectivity. They Typically Come In Darker Colors Like Black, Gray, Brown, Red, And Blue. This Material Absorbs Heat Well, Providing Heat Insulation For Homes In Cold Climates.
Metal Roofing
Metal Roofing Is Highly Reflective And Can Be Painted Almost Any Color To More Easily Customize The Amount Of Heat That Is Reflected Away From The Home’s Attic.
Clay Tiles
Clay Tiles Are Elegant And Energy-Efficient – Touting Superior Ventilation Compared To The Other Options. They Come In A Range Of Light Colors And Can Last Up To 100 Years.
Tips For Matching Your Siding & Roof
For contrasting colors, the general rule of thumb for determining your roof and siding colors is dark vs light. If you go with a darker roof including black, dark gray, or brown shingles, they can pair well with a red clapboard-type home. If you want red brick siding, black or dark blue roofs pair well, including a white trim. Gray, brown, or black roofs also go well with green siding like a light olive. Red, green, blue, gray, brown, or black roofs also suit well with yellow or gold siding.
If you’re looking for a more elegant or modern style, gray roofs play the middle ground for lighter or darker siding with a contrasting gray trim, while brown or warm medium-gray shingles pair well with cream or tan siding for a cozier appearance. If you want to contrast hues of the same color, you can break up the monotony with white trim around the windows and door.
