Roof/Siding Colors

[Jena]

I may be getting new siding. The insurance man took a chunk of my siding to send away to find out if that siding is still available. If it is not, they will side my whole house in whatever color I want. If it is, they will just replace the two damaged sides (hail) and I will still have white siding.

I was getting a new roof anyways, but they found hail damage on half of it, so the insurance is paying for half of the roof. I have interlocking t shingles, but will re-roof with regular ones, so the insurance will end up paying most of the roof as the claim will be based on the more expensive t shingles.

I had gotten a check from the insurance for the siding a few months ago, but luckily my contractor checked it out and now I'm getting all this. I had no idea, but that man just saved me several thousands of dollars. I think I will take him and his wife out to dinner....but anyways....

How much does the color of the roof and siding affect heating costs? I'm not worried about cooling costs so much because my house is very well shaded in summer. In winter all the trees are bare so I think it would matter more.

I know a darker roof will absorb more heat, but how much difference does it really make? I do have living space in the attic, right up to the eaves on the west side. That is also "new" construction and will be well insulated.

Besides the energy concerns....I want my house to be pretty too. Any one have a favorite color scheme for roof and siding?

Jena

[kmaproperties]

we used heather blend, (it is a brown), from the timberline GAF shingles, and
alside brand siding in TUSCAN CLAY, trim in a cream color and shutters in a dark green.

[PyroDon]

Could be nice and redneck like us and put an Eagle on your roof (different color shingles) we also have a rebel flag and US flag on the back side . Planes seem to enjoy them.

As for a color to stay away from on shingles avoid tan (teed blend ect) also white . White shows age quickly as does the tan .
if you want a light brown with slight redish tent the tamko color would be antque slat, for a light grey nearly white english pewter, whethered wood is a standard brownish gray quite popular and blends well with nearly any color house .
I personally wouldnt waist my money on three tab shingles as none are true asphalt shingles anymore and the real life span if around 15 years . for the price difference architechual shingles such as timberlines, heritage and others give a moch better life span as well as increasing the value of your home.
If I won the lotto Id build my house and put real slate with all copper flashings soldered of course and using EPDM as a vapor barier below the slate

[Brad549]

Ventalation is the key here. Color makes very little difference with aspahlt shingles, if you have proper ventalation. Your contractor seems like he will do you a good job, saved you money thats a good sign. I really have to recomend GAF brand shingles. I have installed Tamkos for years since I was little and the old man taught me how to roof. GAF are making a better quality product for the same money. Much hevier shingle. I also woulnt waste money on a 3 Tab. Stay away from light colors. They show every imperfection in your roof. In 16+ years I have installed more weathered wood than anything, Rustic redwood seems the color of choice lately. These are Tamko colors but all the mfgs have similar products. Siding just a personal preferance here but I really like clay no white with it all clay corners soffit gutters with a contrasting sutter to set it off but thats just me. (Where the heck is spell check on this dag gum thing)

[PyroDon]

dont let them sell you an vinyl siding the stuff looks good for a year or two if installed correctly but just appears cheap afterwords . hardi-plank comes pre primed and with a 50 year warrenty beats masonite hands down IMO. cost wise its about the same .
Having been shingling for over twenty years now , I will agree GAFs are definately a heavier shingle my only complaint is they do need to improve the seal down strip though they may have in the last year. Make sure they hit the nail line or they will only be catching a single layer . The one brand I try to steer people away from is owens corning , they tend to be flimsy and loose grit . First and formost besure they use metal flashings . One easy way to tell if you have a professional that knows what they are doing is to look for a bucket of Tar , if they have one its a good bet they have had leaks . When the flashings are done correctly there should be no more than a tube or two of high quality polyurathane sealant needed even on a "cut up" victorian type roof.
Peal and stick membrain should be used on the bottom Metal down the valleys (under the shingles) and absolutely no shingles should be stapled on .
Check refferences, double check their warrenty, and drive by a few jobs they have done . Not sure what kind of workmenship warrenty they are offering but find out , around here most claim to cover their work for a year, I unconditionally cover my workmanship for five years . Get a legally binding contract on the price , any additions to that price should be in writing as well and agreed on by both parties. we have a local "contractor " who tends to give very low bids then tacks on a lot of extras when the jobs done making the deal people thought they were getting very expensive often times more than double the bid.
The best place to find a contractor is from a recommendation from someone who has had them work for them. You will find that many high quality contractors have no need to advertise as they stay very busy from recommendations.

[donsgal]

The other day I was out and noticed that there was a house that had shingles that SPARKLED like there was diamond dust on it. I swore that if I EVER have a roof with shingles again (I live in mobiles), that I would certainly have THAT kind of sparkly shingle.

As for color. Go for COLOR. I don't these horrible colors that they paint houses. Dead colors. The colors of dead, decaying and dying things. ick ick ick. I think I would go for turquoise or maybe bright bright yellow! Something that screams.... I'm ALIVE! and a sparkly roof! woo woo

donsgal

[seedspreader]

I love forest green/tan combinations on houses.

One of my favorite colors on a house around here is... olive drab. Man that old colonial looks beatuiful with it and some creams to highlight it.