A beautifully coordinated red brick house relies on choosing the right roof color. An attractive, complementary shade can enhance your home’s style, while a clashing tone can make even the loveliest brickwork seem drab and awkward. With so many options, selecting that perfect roof color may appear difficult. But by methodically considering a few key factors – from the exact hue of your brick to the style of your home to the roof’s size and pitch – you can confidently narrow down the ideal shade. Follow this guide to all the essential considerations when picking a roof color for your red brick house.
The process begins by carefully analyzing the specific color and character of your home’s existing brickwork. Red brick can display a range of subtle undertones, from deep burgundy to faded pink. And the interplay of textures like stone accents or wood trim also impacts the overall look. So take time to observe your brickwork in different lighting at various times of day. Note how the brick takes on orangey-red or purplish-red hues in the early morning and late afternoon sun. Identify any brown, purple, black or tan undertones. This lays the groundwork for selecting a proper complementary or contrasting roof color.
Assess Color and Style of your Red Brick House
Analyze Exact Color and Undertones of Brick
Start by taking a close look at your home’s brick exterior. Red brick can actually display quite a nuanced range of shades. You’ll want to pay attention to the brick color in different lighting conditions – early morning, midday and afternoon sun often reveal subtle variations.
Make notes on the primary color you see. Does the brick take on more of a reddish, brownish, or orangey tone depending on the time of day? Identify any subtle undertones as well. Cool undertones like purple, blue or black aren’t uncommon. You may also notice earthy tan or brown colored flecks.
Consider Architectural Style of House
The overall architectural style of your red brick house also informs ideal roof color choices. A stately colonial home, for example, demands a classic roof color like slate gray, black or dark brown. Meanwhile, an edgy modern house merits a sleek, contemporary shade like charcoal gray or crisp white.
So identify your home’s specific style – whether it’s Victorian, colonial, Tudor, ranch, contemporary or other variants. Consider roof colors that align with that aesthetic. Avoid hues that would clash with the established architectural look.
Evaluate Current Color Scheme
Take stock of your home’s existing exterior color scheme as well, looking beyond just the brickwork. Make note of trim colors, shutters, doors and other accents outside the home. Your chosen roof color should complement these existing shades.
A cool gray roof, for instance, won’t pair well with warm tan trim. But it could work nicely with white or blue accents. So assess how potential roof colors integrate into the full exterior color composition.
Choose a Complementary Roof Color
With a sense of your brick’s specific shade and style, you can zero in on smart coordinating roof colors. You’ll generally want some degree of contrast from the brickwork – matching the roof color exactly rarely works well. The roof should stand out while still integrating attractively overall. Attractive pairings include:
Contrast the Brick Color
Avoid selecting a roof color that precisely matches the red brick walls. While you do want harmony, matching the tones exactly tends to look odd, overwhelming and monochromatic.
Instead, look for roof colors that offer subtle contrast. Go either slightly lighter or darker than the brick tone. Black, dark gray and brown roofs, for instance, contrast nicely with red brick while still coordinating. Or go the opposite route with light gray, tan or white roofs that pop against the brick backdrop.
Complementary Color Pairings
Classic roof colors that complement red brick include:
- Black
- Dark brown
- Dark gray
- Light gray
For a bolder, more eye-catching contrast, consider hues like:
- Navy blue
- Forest green
- Rich purple
- Bright white
Accent Roof Color Options
Adding multiple roof colors can highlight architectural details. Go for a deeper shade like charcoal gray or brown on the main roof surfaces. Then use brighter, more vivid tones to draw attention to dormers, turrets, cupolas and other roof features.
Consider Pitch and Style of your Roof
The exact pitch, shape and size of your roof also impact ideal color selection. While a bold, visible roof can handle an eye-catching color, more subtle roofs call for muted tones.
Assess Pitch and Slope
The pitch and slope of your roof determines how much of the roof surfaces are visible and prominent. Steep, pitched roofs are highly noticeable from the street. Here, vibrant colors like deep red, emerald green or navy blue can look very attractive.
Low sloped or relatively flat roofs have less visual impact on your home’s curb appeal. More muted, neutral tones in gray, brown or black are often best here.
Account for Roof Size and Layout
Larger roofs with expansive surfaces tend to look best in understated, neutral hues. Smaller roofs can get away with more vivid colors. Contemporary styles sometimes even utilize bright white to dramatize minimalist flat roofs.
Also consider the lines and shape of your roof. Simple roof layouts with clean lines and basic shapes allow yougreater flexibility with bolder color choices. Roofs with lots of intersecting angles, dormers and complex lines do best with simpler color palettes.
Select Roofing Material Suited to your Climate
Beyond aesthetics, choosing roofing materials and colors suited to your climate preserves durability. Hot regions demand light cooling tones. Cold climates require durable options designed to shed snow and withstand freezing temperatures.
Heat and UV Rays
In hot regions especially, light and reflective roof colors help minimize solar heat gain inside your home. White or light gray roofs reflect sunlight rather than absorbing heat. Dark roofs soak up sunlight, transferring that warmth into your living spaces.
Also look for specialized cool roofing materials like aluminum coatings that better reflect UV rays in hot, sunny weather.
Rain, Snow and Wind
Climate matters when selecting weather-resistant roofing materials too. In rainy regions, look for materials less prone to moss and mildew buildup. And ensure roofing construction stands up to heavy wind and storms.
In colder climates, roofing must handle substantial snow, ice dams and freeze-thaw cycles. Heavier materials like clay tiles and concrete are good options. Metal holds up well too. Just avoid lighter asphalt shingles.
Meet HOA Requirements
If your red brick house is part of a homeowners association, make sure to review their guidelines for approved roof colors and materials. Many HOAs restrict color choices to maintain neighborhood continuity. Always clear your selection with the HOA before finalizing roof color.
Test Roof Color Options Visually
Before finalizing a roof color, visually test out different options. View color swatches right on the roof. And check how choices appear from the street view.
View Color Swatches on Roof
Secure paint color swatches or roofing material samples directly to your existing roof. This allows you to get a real-world visualization of how different shades complement the brickwork.
Photoshopping color options onto photos of your home offers another handy visual test. Manipulate the roof color digitally to compare different hues side-by-side.
Check Roof Color from Curb
Always evaluate prospective roof colors from street level. Your roof color choice impacts the home’s curb appeal more than any other factor. So scrutinize the overall look from the typical on-foot vantage point.
Ensure the roof color complements the red brick facade from this key perspective. Contrast and harmony with the brickwork should be balanced and attractive.
Consider Lighting Effects
The way sunlight interacts with your roof color matters too. View color options on your home at different times of day – early morning, midday and late afternoon. Shift the roof a few shades lighter or darker if the original color looked washed out or too bold.
Picking that perfect roof color for your red brick home involves careful consideration of numerous factors – from brickwork tones to architectural style to lighting effects and more. But armed with an understanding of color theory and your home’s unique requirements, you can confidently select a shade both complements the existing facade and enhances curb appeal.
Your new roof color will complement the charming character of your red brick home.