How to Choose The Right Roof Color For Your Pennsylvania Home

The color of your shingles plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall curb appeal of your home. It is worth taking the time to consider experts’ advice on how to choose the right shingle color for your house. At Double L Construction, we want to ensure that the entire experience of getting a new roof installed is a smooth and enjoyable one. Part of this is selecting the aesthetic that best suits your home. A new roof color should improve curb appeal and the value of your home by matching your home’s style and surroundings. 

LOCATION

When selecting the color of shingles for your home, consider the natural colors of your surroundings. Avoid making your home stand out excessively, but aim for a home roof design that gives it a presence without looking out of place. For example, homes near the lake may benefit from a cooler roof palette of pale gray or blue or earthy tones like light cream, pale yellow, or sandy brown. For homes in wooded areas, darker shingle colors such as red, brown, or black can make the house blend in well. In colder climates like Pennsylvania, darker shades can add warmth and melt snow more quickly, helping to prolong the life of your roof.

The best shingle color for a home in Pennsylvania will depend on the specific location and surrounding environment of the home. In places like Boalsburg, Mil Hall, Jersey Shore, Centre County, Bellefonte, State College and around Central Pennsylvania, earthy tones for your roof like light gray, dark gray, or black, can complement the natural landscape, particularly if trees surround the home. These colors can blend in well with the natural environment while also providing a timeless and classic look. On the other hand, if you want to make a bold statement with your roof, you can opt for a darker color like dark brown, dark green or even dark blue. These colors can make the house stand out, but also beautifully complement the natural environment.

ARCHITECTURE

When choosing a shingle color for your home, it is important to consider the architectural style of your house. There are several popular home styles in Pennsylvania, some of the most common include colonial, victorian, federal, farmhouse and cape cod. 

Colonial-style homes, which date back to the late 1700s and early 1800s, are characterized by their symmetrical facade, gabled roof, and central front door. These homes usually have a neutral color scheme. They have a classic look with light-colored siding and dark shutters. For colonial-style homes, it is a good idea to take inspiration from the window shutters. A grey roof shingle will complement a Colonial home with white siding and black shutters, while a shade of brown roof shingle will match well with a more earthy palette.

The Victorian style, which emerged in the mid-19th century, is known for its ornate and decorative features such as gingerbread trim, turrets, and spindlework. As such, a Victorian style home in Pennsylvania would look best with a dark, neutral and historically accurate color such as black, dark grey, green, dark brown or burgundy. Darker-toned roofs can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a Victorian home, particularly if the home has a lot of ornate details and trim work. 

Federal-style homes, which emerged in the late 1700s and early 1800s, are characterized by their symmetry, simple ornamentation, and rectangular shape. These homes can be found throughout Pennsylvania, particularly in the older, established neighborhoods around State College. A neutral color such as black or dark grey would be a good option for a Federal-style home roof. These colors can complement the home's existing color palette, and add a touch of sophistication and elegance to the home. They can also help to accentuate the home's architectural features and make them stand out. Additionally, a black or dark grey roof can blend well with the surrounding environment and complement the natural elements of the area.

Another option would be to choose a color that is in keeping with the historical accuracy of the home's design. For example, in Pennsylvania, a Federal-style home would have originally had a wooden shake roof. So, a cedar shake roof would be a great option to mimic the original design and maintain the historical accuracy of the home.

Farmhouse-style homes date back to the 18th and 19th centuries and are characterized by their simple, rectangular shape and connection to the land. Farmhouses can be found in rural areas throughout Pennsylvania. The materials used for farmhouse-style homes are often earthy, such as wood or shingles. As such, a neutral color roof such as black, gray, or brown would be a good choice for a farmhouse-style home in Pennsylvania. 

Cape Cod-style homes, which emerged in the early 18th century, are characterized by a steep gabled roof, central front door, and symmetrical facade. For a Cape Cod-style roofs, which often have cedar shakes or clapboard, oak and pine construction, lighter shingles in colors like gray and tan can complement the home's weathered wood exterior.

For a contemporary-style home, which is often distinguished by its strong structural angles and clean lines, dark shingles can emphasize its unique architectural style.

EXISTING STYLE

Regardless of your location or the style of your home, you will need to consider the existing elements of your home and garden to choose the best roof color for your new roof. To achieve a cohesive aesthetic, it is essential to choose a shingle color that coordinates with the siding and shutters color of your home. Your gutters should match the roof or the siding of your home as well. Creating a coordinating color palette can help you achieve a beautiful aesthetic with the ultimate curb appeal for your home. 

At Double L Construction, we take roof replacement seriously. Offering our professional roofing opinion whenever needed. Our team of roofing experts have extensive experience building roofs across Boalsburg, Mill Hall, Centre Hall, Boalsburg, State College and Bellefonte. We understand the looks that make homes stand out. If you are ready for a new roof and need the right team to help you select a durable roof that will not only last a lifetime but will also be stylish and appropriate for your home style, surrounding and existing aesthetic, Double L Construction is here to help. Contact us for a free quote and we will respond immediately to help you create the roof of your dreams.