Choosing the right roof color for your tan house can really enhance its curb appeal and bring the whole exterior color scheme together. However, with so many roof color options to choose from, it can be tricky to select the perfect shade. There are several factors to consider when deciding on a roof color for a tan house. In this article, we’ll discuss the most complementary roof colors for tan houses and help you choose a shade that looks stylish, complements your home’s existing colors and architecture, and protects your roof.
Factors to Consider
Here are some of the key considerations when selecting a roof color for your tan home:
Existing Exterior Colors
Take a look at the other exterior colors and materials on your home. If you have tan or brown brick, siding, stone, or trim, you’ll want your roof color to complement these existing shades. Cool-toned grays and browns tend to work well with tan brick or siding.
Architectural Style
Your home’s architectural style should inform your roof color choice. For traditional Craftsman, Tudor, or Colonial homes with tan facades, subdued earth tones like brown, beige, slate, and chestnut tend to suit the architecture best. On the other hand, Mediterranean style tan stucco homes look great with terra cotta tile roofs.
Climate and Weather
Consider your home’s climate and weather patterns. Light colored roofs like white or light gray can help reflect heat and keep attics cooler in hot climates. Darker grays or brown roofs suit cold climates better since they absorb heat. Also pick roof materials that can withstand common weather patterns like heavy rain or snow.
HOA Rules
If you live in a community with a homeowners association, double check any rules or guidelines they have about roof colors before selecting a shade. Many HOAs have restrictions on roof colors or materials.
Future Plans
Think about any future expansion or renovation plans that could impact your roof. Will you be changing the siding or exterior paint colors soon? Planning any additions that will affect the roofline? These factors may change what roof color works best long-term.
Best Roof Color Options for Tan Homes
Now that you know what to consider, here are the best roof color choices to complement a tan house:
Gray
Different shades of gray make an excellent roof color for tan homes. Cool-toned grays blend beautifully with tan brick or siding while bringing a modern, sophisticated look. Light gray roofs also reflect sunlight well. Consider softer gray hues like dove gray, silver gray, or charcoal gray. Avoid stark white-grays.
Brown
For a seamless, coordinating look, match brown roofing to tan facades. Warm shades like chestnut brown, chocolate, or mahogany pair nicely with tan while adding rich visual interest. Wood shake or slate tiles in brown work for traditional, Craftsman, or Tudor style tan homes.
Beige
Another way to achieve a cohesive, monochromatic look is to match light beige or tan roofing to a tan exterior. Use natural clay tiles or lighter asphalt shingles to prevent the roof from blending in too much. Beige is also less harsh than stark white.
Red
For Mediterranean style stucco homes, consider deep terracotta red roof tiles which beautifully complement the tan walls. Red roofs add warmth and striking visual contrast against neutral tan exteriors.
Green
While an unconventional choice, olive green or forest green roofs can make for an unexpected, yet pleasant pairing with a tan brick home. Green naturally complements the earthy tan hue and allows the facade color to really pop.
Roof Materials to Consider
In addition to color, roofing material matters too. Here are the most common options:
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles come in every color imaginable and many look convincingly like wood or slate. They last 25-30 years on average. Lighter tones work better to reflect heat than ultra-dark colors. They also come in affordable bundles for easy DIY installation.
Wood Shakes/Shingles
For traditional home styles, wood offers an authentic look. Cedar and redwood resist rot and insects. Wood can be stained, painted, or bleached to achieve the perfect shade. However, wood requires more maintenance than other materials.
Concrete/Clay Tiles
Tiles lend a Mediterranean flair. Concrete is affordable, but fragile and prone to cracking. Clay is durable, naturally fire-resistant, and comes in beautiful earthy red hues, but costs more. Tiles can be heavy, requiring roof frame reinforcement.
Slate
Slate roofing gives homes an elegant, upscale look. It’s extremely durable, fireproof, and waterproof. Natural slate shingles come in gray, brown, red, purple, and green shades. However, slate is one of the most expensive roofing materials.
Metal
For modern homes, metal roofs like steel, copper, or aluminum can complement tan. Often coated with stone-like coatings, metal roofs require little maintenance and are very tough. Uncoated metal can be prone to scratching or denting from hail however.
Visual Examples of Roof Colors for Tan Houses
Seeing roof color examples on actual tan homes can help narrow down your options. Here are some photos of attractive roof colors paired with tan houses:
Light Gray Asphalt Shingle Roof
This light gray asphalt roof nicely complements the warm tan brick facade. The cool-toned gray adds subtle contrast without overpowering the tan brick or white trim.
Chestnut Brown Asphalt Shingle Roof
Here is an example of a rich chestnut brown roof on a tan brick and stone Craftsman style home. The deep brown roof color seamlessly matches the tan, enhancing the home’s earthy curb appeal.
Terracotta Clay Tile Roof
This Mediterranean tan stucco home receives a bold pop of color from the traditional terracotta tile roof. The orangey roof complements the neutral tan walls beautifully.
Beige Asphalt Shingle Roof
Here, natural beige asphalt shingles nearly match the tan siding, creating a seamless neutral color scheme. The roof is slightly lighter to avoid completely blending in.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Roof Color
To summarize the essential factors in picking the right roof color for your tan home:
- Consider how much contrast or blending you want between the roof and facade. Lighter tans and beiges seamlessly blend while bolder hues like red or green contrast more.
- Match roof materials to your home’s architecture for a cohesive look. Wood shakes suit Craftsman styles while terracotta works for Mediterranean homes.
- Gray, brown, beige, and red tend to complement tan walls most attractively. But unique colors like green can also pair nicely and make the tan pop.
- Pick roofing materials that are suitable for local climate and weather patterns.
- Check on any HOA rules that restrict roof colors in your community.
- Keep future renovation or expansion plans in mind when selecting a permanent roof color.
Viewing roof color examples on actual homes can help you visualize how proposed shades will look. Working from color photos, samples, or renderings makes the selection process easier. With some thoughtful consideration, you can choose the ideal roof color to upgrade your tan home’s curb appeal and give it a stylish, pulled-together look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about choosing roof colors for tan houses:
What roof color goes best with tan brick?
For tan brick homes, some of the most flattering roof color options include light to medium gray, chestnut or chocolate brown, beige, sage green, and slate blue. Cool-toned grays and warm earth tones complement the tan brick beautifully.
What color metal roof looks best on a tan house?
For a metal roof on a tan home, matte finish options like weathered steel, bronze, gray, or brown work well. Unfinished, shiny metal roofing in very light or very dark shades may look mismatched or dated with tan walls.
What roof shingle color matches tan siding?
To match tan siding, use an asphalt shingle in a complementary light brown, beige, or tan shade. Certain gray, sage green, and slate blue shingles can also coordinate nicely with the tan exterior while adding some subtle contrast.
Can you put a black roof on a tan house?
Black roofs are quite bold and generally better suited to neutral colored homes in very cool climates. The high contrast of a black roof on tan walls tends to look mismatched. If you want a darker roof on a tan home, opt for a softer shade like brown, gray, or deep green instead.
What color roof goes with tan stucco?
For tan or beige stucco houses, terra cotta, sienna, gray, ochre, brown, or beige roofs look most appealing. Red clay tiles suit Mediterranean stucco homes, while slate or metal roofs also complement the textured walls. Avoid black or white roofs on tan stucco homes.
Conclusion
Choosing an attractive, complementary roof color has a big impact on a home’s curb appeal and resale value. When it comes to roofs for tan colored houses, the best options range from earth tones like beige, brown, slate, and ochre to cool grays and sophisticated greens. Always consider how the proposed roof color pairs with your existing exterior colors and architectural style. With some thoughtfulness during the selection process, you can pick a beautiful, distinctive roof that enhances your tan home.
References
- Benjamin Moore. “Exterior Color Combination: Tan House with Brown Roof.” https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/color-palettes/color-combination-tan-house-brown-roof
- HGTV. “What Is the Best Roof Color for a Tan House?” https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/mechanical-systems/best-roof-color-for-tan-house-pictures
- House Paint Expert. “Best Exterior Paint Colors for Tan Brick.” https://housepaintexpert.com/best-exterior-paint-colors-for-tan-brick/
- Roofing Calculator. “What Color Metal Roof Looks Best with Tan or Beige Walls?” https://roofingcalculator.org/what-color-metal-roof-looks-best-with-tan-or-beige-walls/
- Roofing Contractor. “What Color Roof Goes Best with Tan Stucco House.” https://www.roofingcontractorreview.com/what-color-roof-goes-best-with-tan-stucco-house/
