How to Choose the Perfect Siding Color for Your Home: 6 Expert Tips from Professional Contractors

A new roof is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make in your home. Beyond protection, your roof sets the tone for your entire exterior. The color you choose can either blend in quietly, add bold contrast, or tie together all the features that make your house feel like home.

At Baker Home Exteriors, we’ve been helping Carolina homeowners with roofing decisions since 1915. Here are six things we recommend you consider when picking the perfect shingle color.

1. Take Cues from Your Neighborhood

Look around your community and take note of what feels right. Certain neighborhoods in Raleigh, Charleston, Asheville, and Greensboro lean toward traditional charcoal grays and browns. In newer developments, you’ll see homeowners experimenting with modern tones like blues or greens.

• Pay attention to siding, trim, shutters, and brick or stone accents.
• Snap photos of homes you admire to use as a reference.

Tip from Baker: Staying within the overall style of your neighborhood can help maintain property values and keep your home looking timeless.

2. Ask for Full-Size Shingle Samples

Brochures and tiny color swatches don’t tell the full story. Request at least a 12″ x 12″ sample so you can see the shingle’s texture, granule mix, and dimension.

• Place the sample against your siding, brick, or trim.
• Step back from the curb to see how it looks from the street.

Baker insight: Not every shingle color is available in every region due to climate and supply. Our team can show you the best-performing options for Carolina weather.ad as white from street level, while a sample that looks dark brown could appear black on your roof.

3. Check Colors in Different Light

What looks perfect at noon may feel completely different at sunset. That’s because asphalt shingles contain several shades of granules that shift under changing light.

• View your sample in morning sun, late afternoon shade, and even on an overcast day.
• Compare against key elements of your home — siding, shutters, garage doors, and landscaping.

Pro move: If you’ve lived through a storm season here, you know light can change fast. Choosing a color that stays balanced in all conditions will save second-guessing later.

4. Coordinate the Whole Exterior

If you’re updating multiple exterior elements during your roofing project, gather samples of all materials to ensure perfect coordination:

Essential Color Coordination Elements:

• Roofing shingles (your primary selection)
• Siding colors and textures (existing or planned)
• Trim colors (window frames, fascia, soffit)
• Front door and garage door colors
• Shutters and architectural details
• Brick, stone, or stucco accents
• Foundation and basement wall colors

A roof should feel like part of the design, not an afterthought. Bring siding swatches, paint chips, and even front door colors into the decision.

• Match the undertones of your roof to siding and trim.
• Consider whether you want contrast (light siding with dark shingles) or harmony (mid-tone siding with blended shingles).
• If you’re also planning to replace siding or windows, coordinate the projects together for a seamless look.

Baker benefit: Because we handle roofing, siding, windows, and doors, we can guide you through the bigger picture — not just one piece at a time.

For example, we love James Hardie fiber cement siding and recommend it highly. We also have installed it with different roofs and can help you see what the final product will look like.

5. See Finished Roofs in Person

Before you commit, look at complete homes with your top choices. Photos help, but nothing beats seeing how a roof looks in your own area.

• Ask your roofer for addresses of recent installs in Raleigh, Greensboro, or Charleston.
• Drive by at different times of day to see how the color holds up.

Our promise: Baker Home Exteriors is proud to have installed thousands of roofs across the Carolinas. Chances are, you’ll find a Baker project nearby with the shingles you’re considering.

6. Use Our Design Studio Visualization Tool

Take advantage of modern technology to preview your roofing color choices before installation:

Digital Visualization Benefits:

• Upload a photo of your home instantly
• Try multiple shingle colors and styles
• Experiment with coordinating siding and trim colors
• Compare different architectural shingle patterns
• Save and share your favorite combinations
• Make side-by-side comparisons

Try Our Design Studio Tool →

Our user-friendly visualization software allows you to see exactly how different shingle colors will look on your specific home, helping eliminate guesswork and ensure you’ll love your final choice.

Popular Roof Shingle Colors and Trends in the Carolinas

Timeless Classic Roof Colors:

• Charcoal Gray – Works with virtually any siding color
• Weathered Wood Brown – Warm, natural appearance
• Slate Gray – Sophisticated and versatile
• Black – Bold, dramatic, and modern
• Dark Brown – Rich, traditional choice

Contemporary Trending Colors:

• Storm Cloud Gray – Modern with blue undertones
• Aged Copper – Unique reddish-brown with metallic hints
• Forest Green – Bold choice for traditional and craftsman homes
• Driftwood – Light gray-brown blend
• Midnight Blue – Sophisticated alternative to black

Regional Favorites: Different areas often have preferred roof colors based on local architecture, climate, and cultural preferences. Our Baker Home Exteriors team can advise you on colors that are particularly popular and successful in your specific region. You can also see some of our favorite collections here.

Architectural Style and Roof Color Guidelines

Your home is yours to personalize. But based on our design team’s experience, we put together some favorite combinations based on the type of homes we service.

Colonial and Traditional Homes:

• Charcoal, slate gray, or black shingles
• Rich brown for warmer traditional looks
• Avoid trendy or bold colors

Ranch and Mid-Century Modern:

• Medium to dark gray shingles
• Brown or weathered wood tones
• Consider two-tone or mixed shingle styles

Craftsman and Bungalow Style:

• Earth tones like brown, green, or gray
• Colors that complement natural materials
• Avoid pure black or bright colors

Modern and Contemporary:

• Black, charcoal, or storm gray
• Bold choices like midnight blue
• Clean, monochromatic color schemes

Farmhouse Style:

• Classic charcoal or slate gray
• Weathered brown for rustic appeal
• Coordinate with white or light siding

Climate and Practical Considerations

It’s also important to think about where you live and the weather, as these factors may impact the materials you choose to use for your roof.

Heat Reflection and Energy Efficiency:

• Light-colored shingles reflect more heat (better for hot climates)
• Dark-colored shingles absorb heat (can help with ice dam prevention in cold climates)
• Consider ENERGY STAR rated shingles for maximum efficiency

Longevity and Maintenance:

• Darker colors may show less dirt and debris
• Light colors may show algae or moss growth more readily
• Quality matters more than color for long-term performance

Resale Value Considerations:

• Neutral colors typically have broader appeal
• Avoid extremely bold or unusual colors if resale is a concern
• Consider neighborhood standards and expectations

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Your roof is more than a necessity — it’s a design decision that will last for decades. Take your time, gather samples, and lean on local expertise.

At Baker Home Exteriors, we’ve been trusted since 1915 to guide homeowners through these choices with care, craftsmanship, and an eye for detail. When you’re ready to pick the perfect shingle color, our team is here to make the process simple and stress-free.