Consider Blended Shingles
Blended shingles are most definitely an option worth considering, says Chuck Khiel, senior vice president at Fred Home Improvement. “This can be very helpful in choosing the right color for the new roof, as blended shingles can have as many as seven different colors in them,” he comments. You’ll of course want to select a blended shingle that comments the red brick of your home. Keep in mind that red bricks are also not always the same color, either, Khiel adds. “If the bricks are more on the plain side, and you choose a solid red or brown shingle, that will probably appear boring or even drab,” he warns. So what color should you choose? If you’re not interested in going the blended route, you will want choose a shingle color that is darker than the color of the house, Khiel notes. “The human eye is drawn to dark colors,” he says. “Choosing black or even dark brown would look good.”
Gather Some Inspo
It’s time to pull up that Pinterest board or print out photos of homes you’ve snapped photos of around the neighborhood. Luke Olson, senior associate at GTM Architects, says that he will often ask clients to send over photos of houses that appeal to them. This helps him determine if there is a common color palette at play that most resonates with a client. “The tried-and-true method is to find something you like and emulate it,” he says. Overall, it shouldn’t be too difficult to source photos that inspire you. “Red brick has been used in the US for hundreds of years, so there are a lot of examples out there to choose from,” Olson adds. “If all else fails, historic slate colors typically pair well with red brick, and many asphalt shingle companies offer colors based on that notion.”
Don’t Forget About the Mortar
This is an extremely key step, says Michael Sauri, partner at TriVistaUSA Design + Build. “Any architectural detail needs to focus on a match with the mortar almost as much, if not more, than the match for the brick itself,” he explains. “That said, many black roofs complement red brick, however the mortar colors can often be picked up in the roofing material and that is the key to make sure you have a complementary match.”
Request Samples
Before moving ahead with your roofing selection, you will want to review it in person just as you would with paint chips, in order to ensure that you’re fully confident in your decision. “We’d typically try to narrow it down to two to three options and then request samples to compare to the existing brick,” Olson explains. “It’s important to see the material onsite to get a sense of how the siting and surrounding elements affect the color of both the brick and the roofing material, especially in relation to how sunlight hits the building and the roof.”
Keep HOA Criteria in Mind
Note that your choice of shingles may not solely be up to you—you will also want to be sure to conform to the rules of your neighborhood’s Homeowner Association, if applicable, Khiel notes. You’ll also want to be aware of other roof colors nearby. After all, selecting yours wisely could pay dividends in the long run. “Choosing something that blends with the other houses should help with resale and even curb appeal, whereas choosing something very different could negatively affect the resale value,” he says.
