Eyeing shingle color trends and dreaming of a roof upgrade? You're not alone — 40% of U.S. homeowners surveyed by Today's Homeowner reported the need for a roof replacement in the next five years.
Installing a new roof often makes good financial sense. In the U.S., aging homes, record-high property values, and the growing need for energy-efficient and disaster-resilient homes drive the $600 billion home improvement market projected for 2025.
According to the National Association of Realtors® and National Association of the Remodeling Industry's 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, when it comes to boosting your home's market value, 37% of Realtors® recommend sellers install new roofing before listing due to buyer demands for specific home improvement projects, including a kitchen upgrade (48%), new roofing (43%), and a bathroom renovation (35%).
On top of financial perks, a new roof sparks joy! The 2025 Remodeling Impact Report also found that only three "remodeling projects received the highest Joy Scores—a ranking from 1 to 10 based on the happiness homeowners reported upon completion." One of the three 10 out of 10 projects was—you guessed it—new roofing.
Whether you're eyeing new roof shingles to reduce energy bills, improve storm resilience, or boost your home's resale value, choosing the right shingle color can tie your project together. But with all the choices available, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Fortunately, shingle trend expert Ashley Alfonso, Senior Product Manager, Residential at GAF, is here to coach homeowners on shingle color trends and how to find their perfect pick.
Why Shingle Color Matters
Choosing the right shingle color can reap long-term personal and financial rewards. Not only does a quality roof upgrade add visual appeal, it can increase the value of your home. For example, upgrading a roof with GAF Timberline HDZ® shingles can increase the value of a home by an average of 10%.
"A roof is an investment, and it can be a really great showpiece. But, you want to make sure it's something you're going to be happy with for years to come when it comes to color," says Ashley.
Shingle selection is often driven by a home's architectural style, siding color, regional influence, and neighborhood or homeowner association (HOA) guidelines. Historically, shingle color was also driven by climate needs and energy efficiency goals. However, Ashley notes that shingle features, like time-release, algae-fighting technology and EcoDark® granules on Timberline HDZ® RS shingles, means that wet climates can enjoy lighter shingle colors without worrying about algae stains, and hotter climates can enjoy richly dark shingles without increasing the heat levels of their homes.
Beyond looking great, reliable roofing systems, like those at GAF, come with robust warranties. Select warranties can be transferred to the new owner if you decide to sell, further adding value to your home.
When it comes to resale, it's important to consider local ordinances and codes as well as HOA agreements in addition to shingle color trends. Not complying with area requirements could hinder home sales.
Top National Shingle Colors for 2025
Roof shingles come in a range of colors—from bold and bright to stately and serene. Manufacturers like GAF offer shingles in shades of blue, red, gray, green, brown, and more. As the #1-selling GAF shingle, Timberline HDZ® shingles set the bar for color and style trends.
For 2025, the top GAF trending shingle colors nationally are Charcoal, Weathered Wood, Pewter Gray, and Barkwood.
"These four colors are classics," Ashley says of the two brown tones (Weathered Wood and Barkwood) and the two black/gray tones (Charcoal and Pewter Gray). "They can appear to be trendy — but they're timeless colors, and they work well with a lot of different color palettes."
Weathered Wood and Barkwood mimic a traditional wood shake. Often, they're paired with craftsman-style homes or traditional farmhouses.
Charcoal and Pewter Grey work well "if your home is more cool-toned," shares Ashley. These two dark colors work well with "modern farmhouses or to achieve a more modern aesthetic when you want a really contrasting look." Plus, the black—Charcoal—roof, Ashley says, "is and has been a go-to, trend-wise, for years now—especially with a light-colored siding, like a bright white."
These four timeless roof shingle colors can weather a range of trends and allow homeowners to change paint color or aesthetic without having to change roof shingles. Plus, these neutral classics often bode well for resale value.
In addition to shingle color, a premium architectural shingle like GAF Timberline UHDZ® gives homes more visual depth with its Dual Shadow Line, offering additional dimension to the roof's pattern.
Regional Shingle Color Trends for 2025
"For homeowners," shares Ashley, "the first piece of advice I give is to decide if you want your roof to be the standout feature or you want it to be a tying-in feature in your curb appeal. We have options for both."
While the Charcoal, Weathered Wood, Pewter Gray, and Barkwood shingle colors ruled nationally due to their versatility, each region has its own unique architectural style. Here are Ashley's insights into the top shingle color contenders based on region:
Northeast: Williamsburg Slate
"This color is interesting because it's like Pewter Gray but with a green tone that mimics a slate roof. It also has a little bit of red to it, as well."
It's an asphalt shingle that looks similar to how slate naturally ages as it starts to get those brown-red spots. "It's a look that's very popular in the Northeast," Ashley notes.
Southeast: Oyster Gray
Oyster Gray is a prominent choice in the Southeast, where there are a lot of ranch-style and Spanish-style homes. It's lighter and has a distinct tone compared to Pewter Gray. Given the region's year-round heat, Southeastern homeowners have traditionally favored lighter shingles to reduce air conditioning costs.
"Unlike the very light, almost white Birchwood shingles popular on the West Coast, Oyster Gray provides a rich color without being excessively light."
Southwest: Shakewood
Shakewood is a warm, tan brick tone. "It pairs really well with the brick facade and adobe look that's so popular in areas like Dallas, Texas." This region often opts for a monochromatic aesthetic, explains Ashley, "especially in larger developments, which opt for a brick facade, and Shakewood shingle roofs to keep a cohesive look across the whole community."
Central: Hunter Green
"Hunter Green is becoming very popular in Central areas, especially for homes with more land." It's an excellent way to emphasize your home and embrace a barn or farmhouse aesthetic, creating a striking curb appeal.
"We're seeing the trend where Hunter Green roofs are paired with white or neutral siding, allowing the roof to be the focal point of a modern farmhouse or barn," says Ashley.
West: Birchwood
"Birchwood, a part of our Timberline HDZ® color collection, stands out as one of our lightest shingle offerings. It appears as a very light, almost white shingle, subtly enhanced with dark definition," notes Ashley.
This option is particularly popular on the West Coast, especially in California, where there's a strong focus on climate consciousness and reducing air conditioning costs. The preference for lighter shingle colors stems from their solar reflectivity, but thanks to newly formulated EcoDark® granules, the range of Timberline HDZ® RS colors, including Charcoal, comply with 2022 Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations and the Green Building Standards Code of Los Angeles County. That means hot climates can enjoy dark shingle colors without worrying about extra heat.
"Plus, we're seeing solar reflective index and cool compliance is being adopted in places outside of California," says Ashley, so investing in reflective shingles now can pay off in long-term dividends, even if you're not on the West Coast.
How to Choose Roof Shingle Colors
When choosing your roof color, consider what will bring you joy, your home color and architectural style, if you plan to sell someday, and if your community has specific guidelines. If you plan to sell—whether now or a few years down the road—selecting a classic, neutral color can win over the biggest slice of buyers. If you're upgrading shingles on your forever home, the sky's the limit as long as you adhere to local codes.
Start by experimenting online. Ashley suggests uploading photos of your home into the recently updated GAF Virtual Remodeler tool to see your home with different shingle color trends and styles. "You might be inspired to change more than just your roof color. You might want to paint your front door to match or contrast with your new roof," she suggests.
Before committing, Ashley recommends you see shingle samples in person. "It's really hard to determine exactly what the shingles look like online, because they have a granulated surface. Reach out to a GAF Certified* contractor who can bring you full-size sample boards so you can make the best educated choice." Many contractors will place sample boards on your roof, "so you can start to see how light impacts the color. When the sun is setting, when the sun is rising, when the sun is directly overhead, or if it's a cloudy day—all impact roof color," explains Ashley.
Your roof protects what matters most. Choose a color and style that will bring you joy and the best possible return on your investment. Contact your local contractor certified by GAF today about upgrading your roof shingle colors. Your contractor can also answer questions about roof financing and installation options.
*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the GAF Contractor Terms of Use.
