Building and Renovating: How to Choose Roof Colors and Materials

Compare Types of Materials

Although a variety of options are available when choosing roofing materials, the decision is mostly guided by situations and circumstances already in place. Every material has advantages and drawbacks, so it is important to be able to distinguish each type as well as which qualities will best serve your needs when choosing roof tiles.

The most common are asphalt tiles, which are light and inexpensive but need to be replaced often and create waste that is not environment-friendly. Heavier materials like clay, stone, or slate tiles are excellent for resisting fire, but require adequate framing to support the weight. Stainless steel roofing is exceptionally durable, but also tends to be expensive. Wood shingles are more moderately priced but need frequent maintenance and have a greater risk of fire unless treated with a retardant.

Factor in Climate and Weather

Different roofing materials hold up better than others in certain conditions, so the local extremes of weather and seasonal climate can play a huge role in eliminating the less viable options when renovating or building the house. Winds account for a great deal of roof damage, both major and minor. Due to their rigidity, heavy tiles like clay or stone can be particularly vulnerable to high winds, however, they still, hold up very well over long periods. Lighter materials like asphalt or wood tiling have the opposite problem. While these are more flexible and better able to handle strong winds, they are less resistant to the cumulative effects of seasonal weathering.

For those living areas prone to extreme weather, stainless steel roofing has the advantage of being wind resistant and fireproof. Metal roofs are also eco-friendly since they are easily recyclable and reduce energy costs by reflecting a significant amount of heat from the sun.

Seek Coherence of Style

The design aesthetics of any house need to be complemented by the roofing. Wood roofing looks good on rustic homes, cabins, and Tudor styles, while clay or stone tiles fit best with Spanish and Mediterranean themes. Other trends prefer slate for a European or Colonial architectural feel. Though metal roofing is very popular in modern designs, it can work just as well for traditional ranch or farm homes. Asphalt tiles are the most common and most versatile, offering a wide range of colors to match almost any style of home. There is also great variance in quality, so it is preferable to get roofing supplies from an established and reputable dealer.

Besides consistency with the home itself, the design of the roof should not stand out too much from the surroundings. Remote or isolated homes look best when they incorporate the landscape or environment into the design. In residential areas, it is important to stay in accord with the neighborhood aesthetics without looking too similar to other nearby homes. Find out how to choose a roofing contractor that is familiar with any local building codes to avoid potential violations.

Refine Color Choices

After considering all of these factors and choosing roof tiles, the final decision usually comes down to how to choose a roof color. Asphalt tiles come in a variety of hues and samples need to be brought home to ensure the tones correctly match the color scheme.

If the home is built with bricks and is unpaintable, then its color should contrast with the roofing tiles. Bricks with colors more warm or reddish in tone need to have a cooler, bluish color for the roof. Likewise, cool colored bricks like light grey look better with rooftops of an orange or yellowish hue. If several shades of brick have been used to create a sense of texture, a similar strategy should be employed with the roof tiling.

Colors of less permanent features are best not to worry about, these things can always be replaced or repainted after the roof is in place.