No More Gray Areas: A Detailed Guide to Picking Your Roof Color

By Lori Jerome, PABCO® Roofing Products. 

Neutral colors, like Antique Black, Pewter Gray and Weathered Wood, are popular due to their versatility, especially for homeowners intending to sell. 

Editor's note: Share this guide with your customers who are considering asphalt shingles for their next roofing project.  

When trying to find the best asphalt shingle color for your roof it can be hard to know where to get product information. That’s why homeowners frequently consult PABCO® Roofing Products for advice.This is an important decision that can be difficult for homeowners, especially considering this is a decision that occurs less than a handful of times in their lives. Selecting a roof color is a choice that can affect your home's appearance for a number of years and can seem very daunting at first. But, with a little extra help and friendly advice you can make a decision you're happy with.  

Kevin Olson, PABCO's customer service director, is often involved in conversations with customers about their roof color choices. “Throughout my time in this position, I have gained knowledge on the factors influencing the homeowner’s selection of color. Most of the time, what the homeowner likes is not as important as the goal in mind.” 

With this in mind, here are a few questions you should ask yourself when deciding on an asphalt shingle color for your residential roofing project: 

Are you going to be living there for the foreseeable future? Or do you have plans to sell your home in the near future?  

If you’re in it for the long haul, choose a roof color that matches your favorite house color. But if you are considering selling soon, it is better to opt for a neutral color. Neutral colors provide flexibility to potential buyers. Neutral shingles colors such as Antique Black, Pewter Gray, and Weathered Wood are the most popular choices PABCO Roofing Products’ offer. And they make a good match with a range of house colors. Plus, it is easier and less expensive to change a paint color than a roof color. 

What is the main purpose for the roof shingle color?  

When deciding on a roof color, you must consider the effect you’re trying to achieve. For instance, if you have a smaller home, a unique roof color will help it stand out. Whereas for a brick facade, a pewter gray roof will add to the patchwork of colors and subtly complement it. A home located in a wooded area will be harmonized with PABCO Premier® Oakwood architectural shingles. And a roof renovation of a historic home can be complemented with a CascadeTM diamond-shaped shingle in Antique Black. Therefore, think about whether you want the roof to be the main visual feature or if you prefer it to blend into the house’s style and color scheme. 

Are you focused on energy efficiency?  

For homes located in warmer climates where air conditioning use is high, you should consider PABCO’s Premier Radiance® shingles. These shingles reflect the sun’s rays away from your home, helping make it more comfortable. In some regions like California, they may be mandatory. Premier Radiance shingle colors usually have a lighter hue. But you can still choose from neutral tones like cool pewter gray or cool black. 

What comes next?  

Once you’ve narrowed down the color choices, the next step would be to obtain an actual roof shingle sample. To do so, contact us and we’ll assist you in finding a local PABCO Preferred roofing contractor. Alternatively, go here to locate a distributor that carries PABCO Roofing Products. You can view the physical asphalt shingle samples in the colors you are considering. All asphalt shingles have a coarse surface. So take into account nuances such as the sun’s angle and shadows which can make the granule colors appear differently from the artificial lighting of a showroom. 

Choosing a PABCO roofing product for your home is an investment that should last you many decades, so selecting a shingle color that meets your requirements is critical. To aid you in this endeavor, you can make use of our visualizer tool to gain an idea of how different color options might look on your home. Moreover, do not hesitate to reach out to us if you’d like further information on any of our asphalt shingles, have questions about the color, product, or need to find a PABCO Preferred contractor. 

Original article source: PABCO Roofing