skip to main content

Remodeling Design Dilemma Exterior

What color roof should I choose?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Can't decide which color shingle to do. Brown looks so bland to me with the light tan siding. Was thinking dark grey or black (and of course updating shutters to match) but wasn't sure if that would clash with the brown frame windows. Also we live on a natural feel woodsy lot so don't want the house to feel out of place. Also, if I do change the roof color, what color should I do the front porch? It needs to refinished anyway. Inspirational pics appreciated. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
PPF.
5 years ago
Stick with brown, just darker -- more like the porch railing.
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
5 years ago
You can find brown shingles that have a variation in color. Our house is similar to yours and our first roof was called "olive". I wasn't sure about that so I asked for houses where the color had been used and drove there to see it in person. It was a mix of different browns.
Related Discussions
What exterior colors should I choose?
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks kswl, it looks better than it actually is :( We purchased it about a year ago and have been slowly upgrading the inside...think pine paneling everywhere! If I leave the trim brown with the brown windows, should I paint the second storey ones white? The dark brown seems to make them look so small. powermuffin, the blue roof was definetly not our purchase, oh, I so wish the previous owner had gone for red or even green. Fortunately (financially speaking) the roof isn't going to wear out anytime soon, so I'm stuck with it. I hadn't thought of a smokey green. I'll have a look at some. Just so you don't think I'm not completely out to lunch, here is my yellow house inspiration picture :) Of course, this house is a whole lot nicer than mine!
...See More
What paint color should I choose for the front door?
Q
Comments (8)
Your house is very pretty, and its also very neutral. I would pick a color that stands out and shows the entry well from the street. Pick your favorite brighter color and paint it. In my case, I would paint it a nice brighter shade of turquoise, since that is my favorite color. You need to pick your favorite color.
...See More
I want to paint the fireplace.What color should I choose?
Q
Comments (9)
Stone is beautiful in part because of it's variation in tone which gets completely obliterated with paint. In my personal opinion, painted stone fireplaces generally look cheap or dated. Instead I would recommend trying a greige/taupe wall paint color that is more harmonious with the stone of the fireplace and the warmer carpet color. Additionally, you can always repaint the painted walls if you don't like the color, but you can't really go back once you ruin stone with paint.
...See More
What color should I choose
Q
Comments (2)
White be the best variant for your design!
...See More
jck910
5 years ago
Owens-Corning has a driftwood in their Duration line that is a combination brown/gray
amyckoch
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the help! I decided to go with Owens Oakridge teak.
User
5 years ago
I like the Owens product, and suggest you look at Owens Oakridge Flagstone. It has greater dimensional value than the Oakridge Teak and would add more emphasis to the roof. This is in line with the first poster's advise to go slightly darker. It would help the house a lot more than the Teak.

Related Stories

EXTERIORS Roofing Materials: Slate Makes for Fireproof Roofs That Last

By Rachel Grace

It stands up to weather and fire without losing its high-end look. But can your budget handle it?

ROOFS Roof Materials: Get an Old-World Look With Clay Roof Tiles

By Matt Clawson

The ancient roof material of choice remains the modern-day ideal for authentic Italian, Mediterranean and Spanish home styles

ARCHITECTURE Have Your Flat Roof and Your Snow Too

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Laboring under the delusion that flat roofs are leaky, expensive and a pain to maintain? Find out the truth here

REMODELING GUIDES Materials: The Advantages of a Metal Roof

By Becky Harris

Metal reigns in roofing style, maintenance and energy efficiency

REMODELING GUIDES 8 Ecofriendly Roof Options for Low Budgets and Up

By Laura Gaskill

Save resources with a cooling or sustainable roof or add-on that looks great and fits your price range

GREEN BUILDING 6 Green-Roof Myths, Busted

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Leaky, costly, a pain to maintain ... nope, nope and nope. Get the truth about living roofs and see examples from simple to elaborate

ROOFS No Substitute for the Natural Beauty of Wooden Roof Shingles and Shakes

By Matt Clawson

This natural, renewable roof option brings weathered character and nostalgic appeal to traditional-style homes

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

EXTERIORS Renovation Detail: The Gambrel Roof

By Rachel Grace

With sloped sides rising to a graceful center point, the classic gambrel roof combines architectural beauty and interior breathing room

MATERIALS The Most Popular Roofing Material is Affordable and Easy to Install

By Matt Clawson

Asphalt shingles, the most widely used roof material in the U.S. are reliable and efficient, and may be right for you

Sponsored

J.S. Brown & Co.

77 Reviews

Columbus Leading Full Service Design Build Firm

More Discussions

What to do about the orangish oak doors and woodwork?

9

White oak kitchen cabinets stain?

60

seeking input on kitchen and mudroom renovation!

5

Porch column replacement

7

Seeking comments on our kitchen reno layout

5