Choosing shingle color sounds like a simple decision… until you realize it can completely change your home’s curb appeal for the next 10-20 years. Your roof is one of the largest visual surfaces on the exterior, and the “wrong” color can make a house feel dated, clash with brick or siding, and highlight all the wrong features. The right color will do the opposite: it will tie the whole exterior together, look natural in your neighborhood, and still feel like your style. And the good news is, you don’t need a designer’s eye to make the right decision.
In this guide, we at Barrelle Roofing will give you some simple, easy steps to narrow your options: matching undertones, deciding whether you want a contrast or a blended look, and confirming your finalists with real-world samples before you commit.
If you’re currently overthinking what shingle color to get for your home, call us: 770-658-0342
The One Rule That Matters: Undertone Match
Most exterior color mistakes happen because homeowners match the color family (black, brown, gray) instead of the undertone (warm vs. cool). So, how do you tell what goes with what?
- Warm exteriors, such as creamy whites, tans, beige, and brown stone, usually pair best with warm roofs, such as weathered wood blends, browns, “aged” tones, and warmer charcoals.
- Cool exteriors, such as bright white, cool grays, blue-gray siding, and crisp black-and-white pallettes, pair best with cool roofs, such as true charcoals, pewter grays, and cooler blacks.
Notice what type of exterior is exempt? We’ll give you a hint: brick! A brick exterior—especially the classic red— can look good with practically any shingle color, warm or cool.
Besides brick, if you only decide whether your home reads warm or cool, then choose shingle blends in the same lane. This one step eliminates most “something feels off” roof colors.
Blend In or Stand Out?
There are two approaches to shingle color when it comes to what you desire for your roof:
- Blend in: Choose a roof color that stays in the same general value range as your exterior materials. This makes the home feel cohesive, timeless, and has the broadest buyer appeal. Common choices for blending in include weathered woods/driftwood blends, medium grays, and charcoal on white or light gray homes.
- Stand out: Use the roof to create a strong silhouette and define the home’s shape. This looks especially sharp on newer builds or homes with a modern farmhouse style. Common choices to create a strong contrast include deep charcoal, black on light interiors, and dark gray with white trim and black accents.
If you’re undecided on what direction you want your roof to go in, we recommend blending in. It’s the “safe investment” option.
Use Your Home’s Fixed Elements
When narrowing colors, prioritize what’s hardest (or most expensive) to change:
- Brick/stone veneer
- Roofing (you’re choosing it now, but you won’t want to redo it anytime soon!)
- Windows
- Gutters
- Siding + trim paint
If you plan to repaint in the next 12–24 months, pick shingles that complement your most permanent surfaces first (brick/stone), then choose paint to match the roof—not the other way around.
Consider Visibility, Pitch, and Sunlight
Two homes can use the same shingle color and look entirely different because:
- Steeper roofs show more surface area, so the color reads louder.
- Low-slope roofs show less, so you can sometimes go a bit bolder.
- Full sun can make colors look lighter and more washed out than they actually are.
- Heavy shade does the opposite of the sun, making colors look darker and cooler.
Practical tip: If your roof is highly visible from the street, lean neutral (medium gray, weathered wood, charcoal). If it’s less visible, you have more freedom.
Don’t Choose from a Screen
This is non-negotiable. Digital “roof visualizers” are useful to narrow choices, but they are not color-accurate. Even GAF explicitly warns that device screens can represent colors differently. Physical samples are the real decision-maker.
How to sample the right way:
- Get 3-4 final color options
- View samples outside in the morning, midday, and late afternoon
- Place samples of the roof plane (or as close as possible), not against the siding on the ground
- Step back and vew the roof from a distance
Blended Shingles: The Safest Choice (and Why)
Most architectural shingles aren’t a single flat color, but instead intentional blends of two or more tones. Blends add depth and help the roof “connect” to multiple exterior elements at once (brick + trim + stone), which makes the whole house look more cohesive from the street.
They’re also more forgiving over time. Because the color isn’t one solid tone, blended shingles tend to hide normal dust, pollen, and minor weathering better—and they’re easier to live with if you repaint siding or change accent colors later.
Climate and Efficiency
We’re very familiar with hot, sunny climates here in Georgia, and in such weather, darker roofs absorb more heat. attic ventilation, insulation levels, and the roofing system design matter more than the color alone, but color can still nudge comfort and energy use, even if just a tiny amount.
If you’re set on darker shingles, you can make them work by ensuring proper ventilation, good insulation, air sealing, and material choice aligned to your goals.
HOA Rules and Neighborhood “Fit”
Before you fall in love with a bolder color, check:
- HOA and architectural guidelines (if applicable)
- Historic district restrictions (where relevant)
- Neighborhood patterns (are roofs mostly charcoal, or weathered wood, or something else?)
Of course, your roof is your own, and you don’t need to match everyone—but there may be limits in your area that narrow your options.
“Cheat Sheet” Pairings
If you have no idea what you are looking for, here are some good starting points:
- Red brick + warm trim = weathered wood, browns, warm charcoals
- Tan/beige siding = weathered wood, medium brown blends, warm gray
- White siding (classic) = charcoal, black, medium gray
- Light gray siding = charcoal, pewter gray, cool gray blends
- Stone-heavy exteriors = choose the dominant stone tone (warm vs cool), then match the undertone
Choose a Process, Not a Color
The “right” shingle color isn’t a universal best-seller. It’s the one that matches your home’s undertones, respects your fixed exterior materials, and looks consistent in real outdoor light.
If you’d like a second opinion from a pro before you commit, contact Barrelle Roofing to help you narrow your choices and confirm them in real conditions.