How to Select the Perfect Shingles for Your Roof

Aug 07, 2020

A brand-new roof could increase your home’s curb appeal, especially if your roof has sustained damage from a recent storm. You could order the same shingles you currently have on your house, or you could use this opportunity to change your exterior property’s appearance. Select a shingle style and color based on your design preferences, budget and local area’s climate. Use this guide to help you figure out how to choose roof shingles that complement your house perfectly.

How to Select Roofing Shingles Styles

As you think about roof shingles for your home, browse through some photos online to find shingle styles and colors you like. You can also use the GAF Virtual Home Remodeler to test the appearance of various roofing materials on a picture of your house.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Shingles for Your Roof

Besides considering your home’s design aesthetic, you should also answer these questions to determine the roof shingles style that would complement your house perfectly:

Do you want your home to stand out? Instead of going with the same material everyone else has, you can choose a roof shingle style that stands out from the rest. However, you might want to invest in a design that complements the other houses on your block to fit in with your neighborhood. If you make it too different from your neighbors, the roof replacement could reduce your home’s resale value.
Do you have mold or algae on your current roof? If you live in a humid area where your roof is prone to mold damage, consider a moisture-resistant material. You can also treat shingles to enhance their protection against rot, mildew and pests.
What’s the weather like near you? Heavy winds, snow and sunlight affect the quality of your roofing materials. Think about the weather conditions in all four seasons and choose a material that can withstand the harsh storms in your area.
Does your roof have a steep pitch? A steep-pitched roof provides an extensive display of your roof’s design, so you should consider installing a visually appealing roof shingle style to enhance your house’s overall aesthetic.

New Roof Styles

Your house’s style and your area’s climate will help you choose the best shingles for your property. Check out the characteristics of each of these shingle styles:

Three-tab asphalt shingles: Due to their variety of color options and styles, asphalt shingles are a popular choice for most homeowners. Three-tab roofing shingles are cost-effective and easy to install, and their simple design can accommodate any aesthetic.
Architectural shingles: Long-lasting asphalt architectural shingles offer a new dimension and texture to a roof. These shingles can enhance your home’s curb appeal and increase its resale value.
Designer shingles: GAF’s Designer Series features asphalt shingles that convey the appearance of slate or wood roofing materials.
Cedar shake shingles: Some homeowners choose cedar shake shingles because of their timeless elegance. This material is available in various colors and strengths and offers pre-treated wood that protects your house against fire or moisture damage.

Choosing the Right Color Shingles

Your roof makes up almost half of your home’s exterior, so you should carefully consider how you want it to look. As you decide on new shingle colors, examine the hues on the rest of your house, and create a contrast with the color of your siding to enhance your exterior’s visual appeal.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Shingle Colors

Think about these house features before browsing roof shingle colors:

Pitch: A high-pitched roof is more clearly viewable from the ground, so whatever color you pick will affect your property’s curb appeal and appearance.
Energy efficiency: Darker colors tend to absorb heat, which can benefit your home in colder weather. On the other hand, if you live in a warm climate, your HVAC system will have to work harder to regulate your home’s interior temperature.
Location: Consider selecting a color that complements the natural beauty surrounding your home. Earthy tones, such as green and brown, could complement your mountain residence, while blue or tan could enhance your coastal bungalow’s aesthetic.
Architectural style: Walk around the outside of your house and consider which colors complement its architectural style. Cedar shakes could improve an old Colonial’s design, while a trendy color would be perfect for a modern Craftsman.

New Roof Colors

Inspect your home’s color and figure out which roof hues would visually contrast with the exterior to create aesthetic appeal:

White: You could choose any color to complement a white house — especially black or gray.
Cream: A neutral-colored home such as cream or taupe would also match nicely with any color roof, even a darker shade of brown.
Gray: Choose a dark, cool color like black, gray, green or blue, or go with white for the roof of your gray house.
Red: If you have a red brick or red-painted home, consider making your roof brown, black or gray.
Brown: A brown house would pair perfectly with a roof featuring complementary shades of brown, green, blue or black.
Wood: Gray, green, slate blue, brown or black roofs tend to match houses with wooden siding.
Bold color: If your property’s exterior features a vivid color, such as blue or green, design your roof with neutral colors like gray or brown.

How Much Do New Shingles Cost?

A roof replacement is an investment that can increase your house’s resale value, so it’s well worth the money you put into the project. Replacing the shingles on your roof will cost a few thousand dollars, but the exact price depends on several factors:

Material: The most substantial factor for the cost of new shingles is the material you choose. Asphalt shingles tend to be the most cost-effective, while cedar is the most expensive.
Labor costs: Working with a professional roofing company can save you time and money in the long run. If you wanted to replace the roof yourself to save money, you’d need to purchase all the materials and tools, and you’d be putting yourself at risk by getting on top of your house. Experts in the industry have these tools on hand, and they have experience working with heights.
Size: A contractor will charge you per square foot to install roofing. Massive roofs take longer to complete, and the contractor will have to order more materials to cover them.
Access: A high-pitched roof requires extensive labor and staging equipment so workers can access the top of your house.
Roof removal: Besides the material you’re paying to have installed, you also have to pay for the removal of your old roofing material, which includes ripping it off of your house and disposing of it.

Trust Sunshine Contracting for Quality Roof and Shingle Replacement

If you need a roof replacement in Northern Virginia, our team at Sunshine Contracting has a wide variety of roofing materials to help you find the perfect shingles for your house. Most of our shingles also come with warranties to allow you to get the most out of your investment. Fill out a free estimate form or call 703-935-4663 today to get started.