You’re looking for a new metal roof. As you’re perusing the colors, your eye is drawn to that rich red shade. That would look sharp!
But will it go with your house? Generally, the best house colors for a red metal roof are gray shades, warm tones like tan, beige, creamy neutrals, and colors that create a striking contrast like bright, cool-toned white or blue.
However, when you’re picking the color for your metal roof, there are several things to consider. We examine those in this post to help you make the best decision for your home.
In This Article
7 Factors to Consider When Choosing A Metal Roof Color
One of the advantages of metal roofs is that they last a long time. Though you can paint some types of metal roofs down the road, if you want to change the color, it’s best to choose something you know you’ll be happy with for years to come.
To do that, consider the following seven factors that may affect your decision.
1. Your Homeowner’s Association
If you have a homeowner’s association (HOA) in your neighborhood, it may stipulate some restrictions on roof colors. Check here first as you don’t want to choose a color and then discover that it’s not allowed.
Look at your community’s handbook or website to find out what their general requirements are, then make a request to the board before you install your roof. Take into account how long the board may need to consider your request in your project planning.
2. Consider Your Neighbors
If you don’t have an HOA, you can make whatever decision you like on your roof color. It may be wise to consider your neighbors, though, to avoid any conflicts in the future.
If most of the surrounding homes have neutral-colored roofs, a red roof may make you stand out in a negative way. It all depends on what the neighborhood looks like on the whole, and the line between what will make your home look nice and what may bring it unwanted negative attention.
3. Think About the Future
As well as considering your neighbors, consider your home’s potential. Do you intend to sell it sometime in the future?
Even if you’re not sure, it’s wise to consider how your home might look to potential buyers just in case you do need to move someday. Metal roofs typically increase your home’s value because they last a long time, so you don’t want the color to detract from that.
4. Take Note of Your Home’s Color
Take note of your home’s current color scheme. You want your roof to coordinate with your siding, trim, shutters, and garage doors.
Of course, you can change these too if you like, but that will involve more time and money. Either way, consider the entirety of the color scheme before deciding.
5. Consider Your Home’s Style
What is your home’s shape and style? These, too, can play a part in what colors look best.
Different colors can enhance different architectural styles, bringing certain features to light. If your home is a farmhouse or Spanish style, a red roof might give it just the right pop of color. If you have a modern-style home, red might still work depending on the overall color scheme.
Traditional ranch-style homes, on the other hand, may not adapt as well to a bright red roof. A redwood tone, however, may work great. Take into account all the details of your home, such as your brickwork, railings, stone, windows, and even landscape plants.
There are many color and style options of metal roofs today—more than you may think. It can be fun to explore them all. Check out our before and after gallery at Erie Home for some ideas.
6. Look Around
Your home is set in a certain geographic location, and that means that some roof colors will look better than others, depending on your surrounding environment. If you live in a forested or mountainous area, you may want to choose a brown or green roof rather than red, unless there is a lot of red in the surrounding dirt and trees. Desert areas often call for shades of burnt orange, brown, tan, and bronze.
If you live in a coastal area, however, you’re more likely to want a roof that creates a fun tropical aesthetic. Step back from your property and take a look around. See your home from a more distant perspective. It may help you make your choice.
7. Imagine the Color in Summer and Winter
The color of your roof can also make a difference in how comfortable your home is during different seasons of the year. Dark-colored roofs typically absorb more heat than light-colored roofs, so if you live in a hot desert area, you may want to think twice before choosing a darker color. If you live in a cold climate, on the other hand, dark may be just perfect for you.
Light-colored roofs, on the other hand, reflect more of the sun’s light and can help keep your home cool. If you live in a warm climate where the summers are hot, a light roof color will help save energy costs.
What Colors Go Best with a Red Roof?
You may have fun trying different combinations of colors for your home. But if you’d like some general guidance on what goes best with a red roof, ask your metal roof contractor for their thoughts, or consider the following tips.
Go with Warm on Warm
Red is considered a “warm” color and typically matches well with other warm colors. These include orange, brown, yellow, beige, creamy neutrals, and tan.
These have a different feel than cool colors, which are more refreshing and bracing. Try pairing a red roof on a yellow house for an eye-catching contrast, or a darker red roof on a light brown house for that earthy, homey feel.
Add Some Interest
If your home is made up of earthy and neutral tones, like dull yellow, gray, white, and tan, a red roof can give it just enough color to increase its curb appeal. Ask your metal roof contractor about the different shades of red that may work perfectly with your current color scheme.
Play Up the Contrast
You don’t always have to go warm-on-warm. Some shades of red may give you a nice striking contrast that appeals to you. Try a red roof on a white or blue house. A cyan blue house, for instance, with a bright red metal roof gives you a head-turning style!
Give Your Gray House Some Pizzazz
If you have gray siding on your house with white trim, a red roof can help step up the appearance so it looks more modern and attractive.
Bottom Line: Look At a Lot of Samples!
To find the best color combination for your home, take your time. Examine a lot of samples. Take a drive and look around.
What combinations do you see? Which do you like? It can be a lot of fun, and in the end, will help you create something you can be proud of for years to come.
Erie Home offers professional metal roof installation with a variety of options—including metal roofs that look like shingles—to create an impressive curb appeal aesthetic. We’ll create a 3D rendering of your selections so you get a real feel for how your new roof will look. Plus, our metal roofs are backed by a 50-year limited lifetime transferable warranty.
Call us today at 800-998-8301 to learn more about our metal roofing options or request a free expert consultation and estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors are best for metal roofs?
Metal roofs come in a wide variety of colors and styles. What color is best depends on your home and your personal preferences. Do keep in mind that in general, lighter colors are better in hot climates, as they reflect the sun’s rays, while darker colors may help keep the home warm in winter.
Should the house color be lighter than the roof color?
Home design best practices urge you to think “contrast” when choosing your roof color. If your home is a light color, a darker color roof may work great. If your home is a dark color, the opposite is usually the best choice.
What color roof lasts the longest?
Lighter colors like white, gray, and tan usually fade less than dark colors like red or navy blue. This is because when the sun hits the roof, it can gradually deteriorate the pigments and cause fading over time.
How do I match my roof to my house color?
If you’re getting a new roof but don’t want to change the color of your house, start with your house color. If it’s a warm color, a warm-colored roof is typically a good choice, and vice versa if your house is a cool color.
Which house colors go best with a red roof?
Though you can choose whatever colors you like to pair with a red roof, design experts typically recommend warm colors like yellow, beige, brown, cream, and white. Some shades of gray may also work well. If you want more contrast, you can put a red roof on a blue house.