What Is The Best Shingle Color For Your Home?

Choosing the best shingle color for your home is about more than just aesthetics. Your roof plays a major role in curb appeal, energy efficiency, and home value. With so many colors available, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming.

At Elite Roofing, we help homeowners in Des Moines find the perfect shingle color to match their style, climate, and surroundings. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing a roof color for your home.

Why Shingle Color Matters

The color of your shingles impacts:

• Curb Appeal – The roof covers a large portion of your home’s exterior. The right color enhances your home’s beauty and complements other design elements.
• Energy Efficiency – Light-colored shingles reflect sunlight, keeping your home cooler. Darker shingles absorb heat, which can be beneficial in colder climates.
• Resale Value – A well-chosen shingle color can make your home more attractive to buyers.
• Longevity – Some colors hide dirt and algae better, helping your roof maintain a clean look for longer.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shingle Color

1. Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style

Your home’s design should guide your roofing color choice. Some architectural styles pair best with specific shades:

• Traditional homes (Colonial, Cape Cod, or Georgian) look great with black, gray, or dark brown shingles.
• Modern homes often feature bold, contrasting colors like charcoal, dark blue, or light gray.
• Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes work well with warm terracotta, red, or brown tones.
• Rustic or farmhouse homes pair beautifully with weathered grays, deep browns, or greens.

Matching your roof color to your home’s style creates a cohesive and polished look.

2. Look at Your Home’s Exterior Elements

Your shingle color should complement your home’s siding, brick, stone, or trim. A good rule of thumb is to create contrast:

• Light-colored homes pair well with darker shingles for balance.
• Dark-colored homes look great with medium to light-colored shingles to avoid an overly heavy look.
• Brick homes often work best with earthy tones like brown, tan, or gray.
• Stone exteriors offer more flexibility, but neutral colors like slate or charcoal tend to work best.

Take a step back and view your home as a whole to see how different elements interact.

3. Consider Your Climate and Energy Efficiency

The color of your shingles affects how your home absorbs or reflects heat:

• Lighter shingles (white, beige, light gray) reflect sunlight, reducing cooling costs in hot climates.
• Darker shingles (black, dark brown, deep gray) absorb heat, helping to retain warmth in colder climates like Iowa.

In Des Moines, where winters are cold but summers can be warm, a mid-tone or darker color may be beneficial for year-round comfort. If energy efficiency is a priority, look for energy-rated “cool” shingles that help with temperature regulation.

4. Take Neighborhood and HOA Guidelines into Account

If you live in a planned community or historic district, your Homeowners Association (HOA) or local regulations may have restrictions on roofing colors.

Even if you don’t have restrictions, look at the roofs around you:

• A complementary color helps your home blend in with the neighborhood.
• A bold or unique color makes your home stand out but could affect resale value.

You want your home to be distinct without clashing with the surrounding houses.

5. Test Your Shingle Choice in Different Lighting

Shingle colors look different in natural light versus artificial light. What looks great in a sample book may appear completely different in direct sunlight.

• Request physical samples and hold them up against your siding.
• View them at different times of day to see how light affects the color.
• If possible, ask your roofer to provide addresses of homes with similar shingles so you can see them in real life.

Making your decision based on real-world conditions ensures you’ll love the final look.

6. Think About Long-Term Maintenance

Some shingle colors hide dirt, algae, and streaking better than others.

• Lighter shingles show dirt and algae more easily, requiring regular cleaning.
• Darker shingles can fade over time, especially in direct sunlight.
• Mid-tone shades (gray, brown, taupe) strike a balance between maintenance and longevity.

Look for shingles with algae-resistant technology to keep your roof looking fresh for longer.

Popular Shingle Colors and Their Benefits

1. Black and Dark Gray

• Classic, timeless, and works with most home styles
• Provides a bold contrast to lighter siding
• Retains heat in colder climates
• ⚠️ Can absorb too much heat in warm climates

2. Light Gray and Silver

• Modern and energy-efficient
• Works well with stone or blue-toned siding
• Reflects sunlight to keep homes cooler
• ⚠️ Can show dirt and algae more easily

3. Brown and Earth Tones

• Complements brick, stone, and warm-colored siding
• Blends well with natural surroundings
• Hides dirt and streaking well
• ⚠️ Darker shades may absorb heat

4. Green, Blue, and Other Unique Colors

• Adds character and uniqueness to a home
• Pairs well with specific styles (e.g., craftsman or coastal homes)
• ⚠️ May not fit in all neighborhoods

Choosing the Right Shingle Brand and Quality

Color is important, but so is quality. Owens Corning, GAF, and CertainTeed offer high-quality shingles with excellent durability and color retention.

When selecting shingles, look for:

• Impact resistance to withstand hail and storms
• Algae resistance to prevent streaking
• Strong manufacturer warranties for long-term protection

At Elite Roofing, we are an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and only use premium shingles from trusted brands to ensure the best results for our customers.

You might also like to explore this article: How to Create a Mood Board for your Roof Color

Final Thoughts: How to Pick the Perfect Shingle Color

Choosing the right shingle color enhances your home’s beauty, efficiency, and value. Keep these key factors in mind:

• Match the color to your home’s style and exterior materials.
• Consider climate and energy efficiency.
• Check neighborhood and HOA guidelines.
• View samples in different lighting before deciding.
• Select high-quality shingles that offer durability and protection.

At Elite Roofing, we help homeowners find the perfect roofing solution for their needs. If you’re planning a roof replacement, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

👉 Contact us today for a free roofing consultation!