Both options offer distinct advantages depending on the aesthetic you’re aiming for. Cinder Black provides a clean, modern contrast that makes the roof a standout feature without overpowering the rest of the design. It pairs well with the warm browns of your door and railings, adding a sophisticated balance. On the other hand, Moire Black leans toward a more traditional, craftsman-inspired look with its textured tones and softer finish. If you’re concerned about the roof blending too much into the siding, Cinder Black is a safe choice for contrast. However, if your goal is a cohesive and timeless design that complements the neighborhood’s style, Moire Black would be ideal.

Both homes you've posted are great examples, especially the second one, which really captures that warm, English Cottage charm. Based on the look you're going for, I'd recommend checking out architectural shingles in colors like Weathered Wood, Driftwood, or Heather Blend. These shades offer a soft, dimensional brown that pairs beautifully with off-white or cream exteriors without overwhelming the overall color palette.

They are BS-ing you. The shingles are from a different lot and that is why they don't match. If some oils needed to do their thing in a month then the darker shingles and the lighter shingles would both be doing it and there would still be a mismatch in the color. They messed up and have to make it right. Call the manufacturer youself and see if they have ever heard of this oil thing. My contractor once gave me some BS about a product like that, I called the manufacturer and they were horrified that someone was misrepresenting their product like that and gave me all of the ammo I needed to come back to the contractor and say make this right. Sorry you are going through this.

"stuck on what semi transparent stain to use" In CR's tests of semi-transparent wood stains applied to pine boards (two coats) and placed on a roof angled towards the south, none held up by the second year. So the question is whether the roof's appearance after two years -- and if the stain didn't hold up how would the roof look? -- would be worth the effort and cost of staining given that the roof will eventually achieve the appearance you want if left alone.