How To Choose Colors in Owens Corning Shingles?

CGR Wholesale
9 hours ago
5 min read

AI Summary

Owens Corning offers a wide range of shingle colors for different home styles.
Color choice affects curb appeal, energy performance, and resale value.
Roof color should coordinate with siding, trim, and neighborhood style.
Lighter and darker shingles each offer unique visual and functional benefits.

Understanding Trusses: The Backbone of Your Roof Structure

Choosing the right roof color is one of the most important design decisions homeowners make during a roof replacement. While durability and cost often come first, shingle color has a major impact on curb appeal, energy efficiency, and how well a home fits into its surroundings. With the wide selection available from Owens Corning, homeowners sometimes feel overwhelmed by the choices.

Owens Corning offers shingle colors designed to complement many architectural styles, siding materials, and regional preferences. Selecting the right color is not just about personal taste. It involves considering home style, lighting, climate, and long-term plans for the property.

This guide walks through how to choose the best Owens Corning shingle color and what factors matter most when making the final decision.

Why Roof Color Matters More Than You Think

Roof color influences both appearance and performance.

Curb Appeal and First Impressions

The roof can make up as much as forty percent of a home’s visible exterior. A well-chosen color can make a home look newer, larger, and more polished.

Visual Balance

Roof color helps balance siding, trim, stone, brick, and landscaping. Poor color choices can make a home feel mismatched or dated.

Long-Term Satisfaction

Since roofs last for decades, color choices should age well and remain appealing over time.

Roof color is a long-term commitment, not a temporary design trend.

Understanding Owens Corning Color Options

Owens Corning shingles are available in a wide range of tones and blends.

Solid vs Blended Colors

Some shingles use solid tones, while others blend multiple shades to add depth and texture. Blended colors often hide dirt better and add dimension to the roof.

Neutral Color Families

Neutral colors like grays, browns, and blacks remain the most popular choices. They complement most siding colors and architectural styles.

Earth-Inspired Tones

Warm browns and weathered wood tones pair well with brick, stone, and traditional homes.

Cooler Modern Shades

Grays and charcoal tones are popular for updated and contemporary designs.

Understanding these categories helps narrow down choices quickly.

Matching Shingle Color to Home Style

Different architectural styles pair better with certain roof colors.

Traditional and Colonial Homes

Classic homes often look best with neutral or warm earth tones that complement brick or siding.

Ranch and Split-Level Homes

These homes benefit from blended colors that add visual interest without overpowering the structure.

Modern and Contemporary Homes

Cool grays, charcoal, and darker tones often work well with modern designs and clean lines.

Farmhouse and Craftsman Styles

Earthy and textured blends typically enhance these styles.

Choosing a color that fits the home’s architecture creates a more cohesive look.

Coordinating Roof Color With Siding and Trim

Roof color should never be chosen in isolation.

Siding Color Coordination

Light siding pairs well with darker roofs for contrast. Dark siding may benefit from mid-tone or lighter shingles to avoid a heavy appearance.

Trim and Accent Colors

Trim color can either blend with the roof or create contrast. White trim works with most roof colors, while darker trim requires careful coordination.

Brick and Stone Considerations

Brick and stone contain natural color variation. Roof colors should complement those undertones rather than compete with them.

Contractors often recommend viewing siding and shingle samples together before deciding.

How Lighting Affects Roof Color Perception

Color appearance changes depending on lighting conditions.

Sunlight Exposure

Roofs in full sun may appear lighter than expected. Shaded areas may make colors look darker or cooler.

Roof Orientation

North-facing slopes often appear darker and cooler, while south-facing slopes reflect more light.

Viewing Distance

Roof colors can look different from the ground than they do up close.

This is why outdoor sample viewing is important.

Energy Efficiency and Roof Color

Roof color can influence attic temperature.

Lighter Shingle Colors

Lighter colors reflect more sunlight and may help reduce heat buildup in the attic during warmer months.

Darker Shingle Colors

Darker colors absorb more heat, which may help with snow melt in colder climates.

Ventilation Still Matters Most

While color plays a role, proper attic ventilation has a greater impact on energy efficiency than shingle color alone.

Homeowners should consider color as part of a complete roofing system.

Neighborhood and HOA Considerations

Local guidelines can affect color choices.

Homeowners Association Rules

Some neighborhoods restrict roof colors to maintain a uniform appearance.

Matching Surrounding Homes

Choosing a roof color that fits the neighborhood helps maintain resale appeal.

Avoiding Trend Extremes

Overly trendy colors may not age well or appeal to future buyers.

Staying within neighborhood norms is often a smart move.

Long-Term Resale Value and Color Choice

Roof color can influence buyer perception.

Safe Color Choices

Neutral and blended colors appeal to the widest range of buyers.

Avoiding Polarizing Colors

Unusual or bold roof colors may limit buyer interest.

Perception of Quality

Well-coordinated roof colors make homes feel better maintained.

Resale value is an important consideration for many homeowners.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Shingle Colors

Avoiding mistakes saves time and regret.

Choosing Color Indoors Only

Indoor lighting distorts color perception.

Ignoring Undertones

Warm and cool undertones can clash even if colors seem similar.

Matching Exactly Instead of Complementing

Perfect matches are not always necessary. Complementary tones often look better.

Rushing the Decision

Roof color should be chosen carefully, not quickly.

Contractor guidance helps prevent these issues.

Problem to Solution

Problem: Roof color looks different after installation

Solution: View samples outdoors before deciding.

Problem: Roof clashes with siding

Solution: Coordinate colors together, not separately.

Problem: The home looks dated

Solution: Choose timeless, neutral color families.

Problem: Worry about resale appeal

Solution: Select widely accepted Owens Corning colors.

FAQ

How long will my roof color last?

Owens Corning shingles are designed to resist fading over time.

Can I mix shingle colors on one roof?

Most roofs use a single color, but blended shingles provide depth.

Should the roof color match the gutters?

They should coordinate, but do not need to match exactly.

Is it safe to choose a trendy color?

Trendy colors may not age as well as classic options.

Making the Right Color Choice With Confidence

Choosing the right Owens Corning shingle color involves more than picking a shade you like. It requires considering home style, siding, lighting, climate, and long-term plans. By taking time to review options and coordinating with experienced professionals, homeowners can select a roof color that enhances curb appeal and remains attractive for years to come.

For dependable access to Owens Corning shingles and professional roofing supplies, contact CGR Wholesale Roofing at 412-847-7663. Our team helps contractors and homeowners choose roofing materials that look great, perform well, and stand the test of time.