Tips for Choosing the Colour of Your Shingles

Is it time to redo your roof?

And how about changing the colour as well?

A roof is a major visual element, sometimes making up a third of the visible portion of your home.

This is why you should take into consideration its colour and how well it goes with the house’s exterior surroundings. Making the right choice here can even have a positive impact on the value of your property.

How to choose the colour of your shingles

What are Canada’s favourite roof colours?

Neutral colours are the most popular. Shades of brown, black and grey are the top choice across Canada. There are certain regional differences, however.

At BP, brown and black shingles are tied for first place in eastern Canada. The Atlantic provinces prefer black, while homeowners in western Canada favour a grey-roof look.

Black and brown are the favourite roof colours in eastern Canada, while western Canadians prefer grey.

Though sober hues may dominate the market, anything-but-neutral colours have their own fan base with homeowners looking for something a little different. Red, blue, or green roofs can be found from coast to coast, with a concentration of blue and green in the East.

On retrouve également des couleurs qui sortent des sentiers battus.
Homeowners are also choosing more unusual colours.
La couleur « galet » combine différents tons de brun, de gris et même de bleu.

Monochrome roofs are now a thing of the past. The demand is for shingles with nuances and variations. These can be variations on a theme, like two-tone black, or a mix of colours, like Weathered Rock, which combines, grey, brown, and even blue.

Architectural shingles are homeowners’ favourite

Offering a textured effect and more visible gradations of the main hue, architectural (laminate) shingles are the most popular seller at BP. That said, classic three-tab shingles, which offer a more uniform finish, are still quite popular, especially in the East. If you are wondering about the difference between three-tab and laminate shingles, read our article entitled “3-Tab vs. Architectural: The Great Shingle Debate.”

Is colour really that important?

Do you doubt the positive impact on your property and its value of choosing the right colour? Read on! In addition to the fun of choosing, the colour of your roof may benefit your property by:

  • Harmonizing with its environment: Grey and black look great in an urban setting. However, shades of brown will blend in better when a roof is surrounded by trees.
  • Stand out from the crowd: In a neighbourhood where most of the roofs are brown, a black or grey roof will stand out and add a spark of originality.
  • Save energy: A dark roof that absorbs heat may be preferable in a colder climate, while a lighter-coloured roof that reflects heat could keep your house cooler in a warmer or more sunny areas.
Climate may be a consideration in your choice of colour.

Choosing the right colour for your roof 

People often choose their roof colour based on their personal taste rather than whether it is right for the house.

Consider these three elements so as not to be disappointed after the new roof is installed:

Façade

In fashion, some colours go better with others, while others clash. The same goes with roofs and house façades. Think of the colour of your façade: light or dark, a solid colour or a blend… Also consider the materials: wood, stone, brick, etc. It is hard to imagine a blue roof on a traditional Canadienne-style home!

Check every roof colour against your façade and eliminate the ones that do not go well together.

Location

North or south facing? On the mountainside or in the city? Sun exposure can affect the appearance of your shingles. In northern Canada, the sun can bring out cool, blue hues. In more southerly regions, roofs can look more orange. These variations can completely change the look of a roof.

Think about your broader surroundings!

The neighbourhood

Now think about your more immediate surroundings. Regardless of whether you live in the city or the country, check if most of the roofs in your area are a similar colour. Do you think that your neighbours would welcome novelty or hate that your roof is different? When tasteful, originality can give your house added value. But brash choices can have the opposite effect!

Try before you buy!

It is not always easy to imagine what your roof will look like based only on a colour sample. That is why we created the Visualizer, an imaging tool that lets you add different roofs to a picture of your house to get a better idea of the final result. Try it out! It is free!