Expert: Nazim Nice - 10/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: Nazim,

I am having the hardest time picking a roof color.  I keep going from dark to light.  The house has lots of roof and it is very visible when you drive up.  Should I keep the colors all relatively close and not to much contrast?  I do want the house to have some charm.  Alpine, CA

Nancy

ANSWER: Hi Nancy,

Did you try to attach a photo?  It didn't come through. If you want to repost it I'd be happy to look at the photo.  In the meantime, we do have an article on our website that deals with choosing exterior colors.  You can find it at this link:

http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm

Thanks,
Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Read our blog at: http://seattlearchitects.blogspot.com/
See our completed projects at: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm
Looking for an architect?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects.htm
What are the typical services of a design firm?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-firm.htm
Remodeling your bathroom: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-bathroom-remodel.htm
Laundry and mudroom design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-laundry-mudroom-design.htm
Remodeling your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm
Information on Seattle Home additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-home-addition.htm
Adding a roof deck: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-roof-deck.htm
Choosing exterior colors and materials: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm
Read about remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm
Need to add more space? Consider a second story addition: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm
Information on common residential projects: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-residential-architects.htm
Frequently asked questions of architects: http://www.motion-space.com/frequently-asked-architect-questions.htm
Sustainable and green design resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm
Information on garage additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-garage-addition.htm

Check out our newest product - Custom Engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com
See our gallery of products: http://store.lumenid.com/product-gallery.html
Send in your own switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/mail-in.html
Uses for our custom engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/product-wheretouse.html

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did send a photo. I did go on that website.  I am probably just stressing out because I have no more than two weeks to decide.  The roof is being put on first and later like next year after the rain the house will be painted as some of the wood siding needs to be replaced and we can;t afford to do it all at once.

Nancy

Answer
Hi Nancy,

I see the photo now.  Since your house in in California, you would likely want to consider something not too dark. A dark roof will make it hotter inside.  I'm not exactly sure where you are in California, but consider that in your choice if you think it's a factor.  Also, I would not go too light either.  The value of your current roof looks good to me.

If you are sticking with the current house color, or warmer tones I would stay with the warmer roof tones instead of the grays.  Most manufacturer's have a color called driftwood or weather wood.  That would be appropriate. Some of these emulate a wood shingle roof, which would be appropriate on your house.

To break up the mass be sure to pick one with a lot of color variation.  Look at IKO roofing for example:

http://www.iko.com/products/residential/residential.asp

The color variation will help break up the mass.  

You may find that after you choose a new roof color, you will want to change either the house paint color or the trim color (that red).  If you want something more neutral, brown or mocha trim with a beige color body would look good with a shingle that looks like cedar.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Read our blog at: http://seattlearchitects.blogspot.com/
See our completed projects at: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm
Looking for an architect?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects.htm
What are the typical services of a design firm?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-firm.htm
Remodeling your bathroom: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-bathroom-remodel.htm
Laundry and mudroom design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-laundry-mudroom-design.htm
Remodeling your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm
Information on Seattle Home additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-home-addition.htm
Adding a roof deck: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-roof-deck.htm
Choosing exterior colors and materials: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm
Read about remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm
Need to add more space? Consider a second story addition: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm
Information on common residential projects: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-residential-architects.htm
Frequently asked questions of architects: http://www.motion-space.com/frequently-asked-architect-questions.htm
Sustainable and green design resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm
Information on garage additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-garage-addition.htm

Check out our newest product - Custom Engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com
See our gallery of products: http://store.lumenid.com/product-gallery.html
Send in your own switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/mail-in.html
Uses for our custom engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/product-wheretouse.html