Sep. 01, 2025
Roofing shingles are arguably the most important building materials used to protect your home from the elements. Designed for installation in an overlapping pattern of rows, they shed water in the direction of a roof slope to keep a home dry. Roofing shingles come in a variety of shapes, colors, and materials. Since a roof is highly-visible, you will want shingles that reflect your aesthetic and design preferences. However, you also need to take into consideration factors like price, utility, longevity, and region-specific performance needs (like algae protection in humid areas). These factors make choosing the best roofing shingles more complex than just picking a nice design and color. While your options may seem overwhelming, this page will help you evaluate different shingle types and develop a set of criteria to choose the right product for your roof.
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Popular Roofing Materials
There are numerous roofing materials and designs to choose from. Use this list to learn about the different options available and guide your decision-making process.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing option in North America. These shingles are built to be durable, lasting decades while requiring minimal upkeep. They are a top choice for homeowners and building professionals alike because they are affordable, inexpensive to install, and come in a variety of colors and styles that can match almost any taste.
There are three main classes of asphalt shingles to choose from: strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles.
Strip shingles, also known as three-tab shingles, are the most basic and affordable option. They are named for the cut of the shingle, and come in the form of a single, flat layer of asphalt. CertainTeed offers multiple strip shingle options, including our XT 25 model.
Dimensional shingles, also known as architectural or laminate shingles, are the most prevalent roofing choices for American homes. They are made from two or more laminated layers of asphalt to create a multi-dimensional look that replicates the appearance of natural wood shake roofing or slate tile roofing. CertainTeed’s Landmark® shingles are a top model for this option.
Luxury shingles are the high-end laminate shingles. They offer greater protection from the elements, richer color blends and gradations, and sophisticated designs that add value and beauty to an exterior. CertainTeed’s Grand Manor® and Carriage House® shingles are luxury asphalt products.
To learn more about these differences, check out our guide to the Types of Asphalt Roofing Shingles, which will help you determine which asphalt shingles are ideal for your home.
Solar Shingles and Tiles
You may already be familiar with non-integrated solar roofing systems, like panels that are placed on top of your roof; however, solar shingles are an option that is growing in popularity. These tiles are integrated into the existing roofing, creating a flatter, smoother appearance. You may have seen solar shingles like those developed by Tesla, but there are also other options to consider.
CertainTeed’s Apollo® II solar shingles and Apollo Tile II solar tiles integrate with new or existing asphalt shingle or concrete tile roofing, allowing a roof to capture solar energy while maintaining a low-profile look that is more aesthetically pleasing than traditional solar panels. If you want your roof to protect your home while also providing clean energy for your household, consider the options available to you on our Solar Roofing page.
Wood Shakes
Historically, shingles were made from split pieces of wood, and many homeowners still want that old-world look. In North America, cedar shakes are one of th
e most popular wood types used in roofing. However, wooden shingles are expensive to purchase and install, and require more maintenance than almost any other roofing material.
CertainTeed offers multiple products that emulate cedar shakes without the restrictive drawbacks. A few options include:
Landmark designer asphalt shingles and Presidential Shake luxury asphalt shingles, both of which are highly fire resistant, as well as less expensive and easier to maintain than wood shakes.
Clay Tiles
The very mention of clay roofing conjures images of charming Spanish Colonial homes that are popular across California and Texas. Not only is this roofing useful for keeping homes cool through the hot, dry desert summers, but it also offers protection in the form of fire resistance.
Traditional clay roof tiles were made from local resources like terracotta, whereas modern clay shingles are made from a variety of materials that are designed to last longer. Clay is also very heavy, breakable, and expensive to install and repair.
Slate Tiles
Slate roof tiles are similar to their clay counterparts. They are prevalent in areas with significant slate resources, though you will find slate roofing across the country. While aesthetically pleasing, slate is expensive, difficult to install, and fragile.
The challenges of working with slate led to the development of numerous alternatives. CertainTeed offers many slate-style shingles that emulate this classic look while improving the overall roofing performance. A few different options we have are:
Belmont and Carriage House luxury asphalt shingles, which closely replicate the color and dimension natural slate, but with greater durability, less weight, and a lower material and installation cost.
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Other Considerations
While personal design preference is an important factor when choosing a roofing material, other considerations could affect your home’s value and durability. Below are a few factors to keep in mind when weighing your options.
Sustainability
Consider the effect that your roofing option will have on the environment. Not only because of the carbon footprint that comes with making the shingles, but also because of the long-term energy costs to your home. The right roofing materials can insulate a home, driving down energy costs and your environmental impact. If you choose solar shingles, your roofing can actually generate clean energy, limiting your dependence on utility companies that are still mostly powered by fossil fuels.
At CertainTeed, we developed Cool Roof technology that works to insulate your home while reflecting the sun’s rays. This, in turn, keeps your roof cooler in the summer, requiring less energy - like the use of air conditioning - to cool your home. Our Cool Roof products can be used to comply with the leading standards, and achieved EnergyStar® qualified levels for protecting homes.
Additionally, since our metal roofing products are recyclable, they don’t have to end up in a landfill, contributing to sustainability once you decide to remove them. Other manufacturers use a percentage of recycled metal when they create new shingles, thereby extending the service life of the base product.
We also have an asphalt shingle recycling program. Roofing materials are one of the most common items found in landfills, but we collect old asphalt roofing and use it for asphalt road paving.
Impact Resistance
If you live in an area that is prone to extreme weather, then impact resistance needs to be a significant factor in the shingle decision. The damage caused by hail can create breaks in roofing materials that compromise waterproofing capability and leave a roof vulnerable to water infiltration, leaks, and possibly mold. The damage done to roofing by hail impact is not always visible to the untrained eye, leading to misconceptions by homeowners that their roof is still ok because it doesn’t ‘look damaged’.
If you live in a hail prone region, CertainTeed recommends roofing that has a high impact resistance rating. Roofing materials of all types must pass vigorous third-party testing before they enter the marketplace, including impact-resistance testing. Each product is provided with an impact-resistance rating from Class 1 to Class 4, with Class 4 being the most durable against simulated hail testing (capable of withstanding impacts up to 90 mph without cracking or breaking).
Since it can help reduce or neutralize hail damage, many homeowners’ insurance carriers offer discounts on premiums when impact-resistant roofing is installed. In areas where hail storms are prevalent, some insurance carriers require that roofing with a high impact-resistance rating be installed on an existing or replacement roof in order to qualify for coverage.
Impact-resistant roofing can be found in many materials types, from inherently tough metal roofing to shingles with rubberized polymers blended into the asphalt to help withstand forceful blows.
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Algae Resistance
The natural elements of wind, rain, and sun aren’t the only threats to your roof. In humid areas or regions with thick shaded areas, black streaks can quickly form along your roof. This discoloration is the result of algae growth, which may form in specific patches at first and then expand across your roof.
If this is a significant problem in your area - look for black streaking on other roofs in your neighborhood as a barometer - you will want to opt for an algae-resistant roofing option. If you are considering asphalt shingles, we recommend shingles made with StreakFighter® algae-resistant shingle technology to help prevent the formation and spread of algae.
Warranty
A roof is critically important to the health and welfare of any household, which is why warranty coverage is offered for both roofing materials and installer workmanship. Sometimes these warranties are standalone, and sometimes they are bundled together. There are also extended warranties offered. It can be a confusing consideration, so we have created a Warranty 101 guide to help you navigate your options and better understand what should be covered to protect your investment.
Learn More
Get more explanations about other considerations beyond the material type, including sustainability, impact resistance, algae resistance, and warranty coverage.Choosing the right roofing for your home goes well beyond deciding on a color and style.
The smart path forward also considers which materials will be best based on climate, budget, and homeowner needs.
CertainTeed offers numerous resources to build your knowledge-base and help you make sound roofing decisions. Check out the links below, which offer insight to common questions on both residential roofing and roofing contractors, as well as provide design tools to help bring your creative vision to reality.
To maximize the impact of a roof color, it should complement the look and feel of your home's exterior, which can help boost curb appeal and give you a sense of pride in your home. But the color you choose should reflect your personality. Don't get a roof color just because it's the same color others are getting. Get what you want. But how do you figure out what color to pick?
This guide offers tips on how to choose the best shingle color for your home. Knowing your options helps you be prepared to discuss color choices with your roofing contractor so you can feel confident about selecting a shingle color for a roof you'll love.
Before diving into the main color categories for roof shingles, consider the following factors regarding your home.
It's also easier to narrow down roofing shingle colors if you've decided on an exterior color palette.
Don't forget to factor in the overall look of hardscaping elements, like patios, stone walls, and wooden arbors, along with fencing and driveway paving. The design and structure of these items can influence your exterior aesthetic as well as their color.
Before choosing a roof shingle color, take note of the other hues and shades of your home's exterior components, such as brick or siding, as well as the material or paint color of your window and door trim.
Styleboard with neutral and cool tones. Sand Dune colored shingles from Owens Corning, dusty blue adirondack chair, beach grass, grey shake siding with purple-grey shutters, medium tan paint swatch.Pacific Wave styleboard with medium grey front door, lavender-grey paint roller, dark patterned door mat, lavender potted plant, and a family sitting on a couch together. Pacific Wave colored shingle swatch from Owens Corning in the center.Is your home exterior color palette cool or warm? Cool colors have tints of blue, green, and purple, while warm colors typically contain reds and yellows. White and gray can work with either palette, depending on the undertones.
The best roof color is one that you love and checks all the boxes for:
Depending on the architecture of your house, the roof can make up nearly 40% of your home’s exterior. As a result, your roof material and color selection can significantly impact your home’s overall curb appeal.
Total roof replacements offer homeowners one of the best returns on investments, and a new roof is very attractive to prospective buyers. If you're thinking of replacing your roof before selling your home, you may be wondering which roof color is best for resale.
The best shingle color for resale is the one that complements your home exterior and appeals to the masses. But a neutral palette can also make you look like all the other houses.
Don't feel you have to stay with neutrals; the selective use of color can help you stand out from the crowd. A roof can be the perfect finishing touch on a well-designed exterior. Take time to explore today's roofing shingle color blends. You'll find that they use multiple tab colors to create interest and visual dimension. These colors are all opportunities to bring in pops of color that coordinate. A well-designed exterior can dramatically boost curb appeal and increase the perceived value of your home. In addition, home buyers are motivated to buy homes with a new roof due to the peace-of-mind protection it gives.
In years past, popular roof colors fell into neutral categories: black, brown, gray, and tan. Today, these colors remain popular, but they aren’t your typical flat black, brown, or gray shingles. Modern asphalt shingles have a variety of different color granules, giving them flexibility to match an exterior design palette. Where there used to be ONE shade of gray, now there is an abundance of gray hues, like green-gray, blue-gray, taupe-gray, and even purple-gray.
Homeowners are looking for ways to add personality to their homes, creating a market for unique color blends. Many of today’s asphalt shingles fit into multiple color categories, like Owens Corning’s Summer Harvest, Aged Copper, or Black Sable. The unique combination of colors on a shingle gives you some flexibility to change your exterior design over time.
Each of these colors is designed to pair well with a wide range of exterior colors and architectural styles, ranging from coastal cottages to modern farmhouses to traditional brick homes.
Midnight Plum was named the Shingle Color of the Year. Midnight Plum is a bold and beautiful rich purple color, and the first of its kind in the roofing industry.
Designed for its versatility, Midnight Plum evokes tones found in nature, food, and current fashion and interior design trends. The purple undertones are infused with hints of pomegranate, eggplant, and mulberry. The Midnight Plum shingle color was designed to look as inviting on a contemporary dark modern farmhouse as it does on a traditional red brick home.
Regardless of home design trends, gray, black, and brown roofs are often the go-to roof colors thanks to their timeless style and versatility with exterior home colors and building materials.
In general, roof shingle colors fall into a few main color categories and then vary in degrees of lightness, darkness, intensity, and contrast.
Black roofing shingles are an excellent way to top off homes with light gray or white siding. The contrast creates a traditional, timeless look, and the neutral color palette gives you plenty of wiggle room for bold front door colors (think red).
If you prefer dark roof colors but aren’t sure if you want to go with black or brown, then take a look at the new, more contemporary black shingle color blends, like the Owens Corning Duration® Designer shingle in the color Black Sable, which mixes in hues of black, beige and blue-gray.
Gray has had its time in the spotlight for everything from interior walls to exterior siding and shingles. It's a great neutral tone that pretty much pairs with anything. Gray roofing shingles on a home with gray or white siding are a classic look, reminiscent of summer cottages and sandy beaches.
Of course, gray is also standard in traditional brick homes. Determine if you want a warm gray with beige or yellow undertones or a cool gray with blue and green undertones. Matching a warm-toned gray siding with a cool gray roof could create a visual disconnect. It's important to pair warm gray shingles with warm gray siding colors, and likewise, cool gray shingles with cool siding colors, to give your home an effortless cohesive look.
Still need help feeling confident about your roof color selection? Our life-sized printed shingle color posters show all the various granules that make up the overall shingle color. You can easily compare different shingle colors side-by-side and narrow down your choices before getting a contractor involved. No pressure--make your color selection on your own timeline. When you have your choices narrowed down, we do recommend that you see a real product sample before making the final decision; your contractor can bring samples to your appointment. To learn more about our printed color posters, click below. (US only)
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