CertainTeed Roofing Shingles Colors: Options and Selection Tips
CertainTeed roofing shingles colors range from classic charcoal and gray to warm brown, red, and blended tones. The right color can complement a home’s siding, brick, trim, and architectural style, while also affecting how prominent the roof looks from the street. Because color names and availability vary by shingle line and location, homeowners should compare options for the specific product they plan to install. This guide explains common CertainTeed color choices, how to evaluate them, and what to confirm before making a final decision.
How CertainTeed Shingle Colors Are Organized
CertainTeed sells asphalt shingles in several product families, including Landmark, Landmark PRO, and other lines with different construction and appearance features. A color offered in one family may not be offered in another. Even when two products share a color name, the finished appearance can vary because of the granule blend, shadow lines, and shingle design.
Many CertainTeed architectural shingles use more than one granule color. These blends create variation across the roof rather than a single flat tone. For example, a shingle described as gray may include lighter and darker granules, while a brown blend can include tan or charcoal accents. The result is a roof with depth that may look different in bright sun, shade, or from a distance.
Color availability is not universal. CertainTeed’s product information and local distributors are the best places to verify current choices for a specific shingle line. Regional supply, product updates, and local market availability can all affect which colors an installer can order.
Popular CertainTeed Roofing Shingles Colors
Color names commonly associated with CertainTeed’s Landmark family include options such as Moire Black, Georgetown Gray, Pewter, Weathered Wood, Driftwood, and Colonial Slate. Some lines and markets may offer additional blends, such as Heather Blend, Burnt Sienna, or Resawn Shake. This is not a guaranteed list for every product or location; homeowners should check the manufacturer’s current color selector and request samples for their exact shingle.
| Color family | Examples to check | Typical visual effect |
|---|---|---|
| Black and charcoal | Moire Black; Colonial Slate | Bold contrast or a deep, traditional roofline |
| Gray | Georgetown Gray; Pewter | Neutral appearance that can work with many exterior palettes |
| Brown and wood tones | Weathered Wood; Driftwood; Resawn Shake | Warm, natural-looking variation |
| Mixed or warmer blends | Heather Blend; Burnt Sienna | More visible color variation, sometimes with reddish or earthy notes |
Names are useful for narrowing the search, but they do not fully describe the installed appearance. A “black” blend may read as charcoal in daylight, while a “weathered” brown may show gray or tan highlights. Viewing a large sample is more informative than relying on a small online swatch.
Choosing a Color That Fits the Home
Start With Fixed Exterior Materials
Roof color should coordinate with elements that are costly or difficult to change, such as brick, stone, stucco, and fixed exterior trim. These materials often contain several undertones. A brick façade may look mostly red but include brown, gray, or cream details that influence which shingle blend feels balanced.
Homeowners can identify the dominant and secondary colors in those materials, then compare shingles against both. A roof does not have to match the siding exactly. It usually works better when it complements the exterior palette and provides enough contrast to define the roofline.
Consider Siding, Trim, and Contrast
Dark shingles can create a strong outline against light siding, while medium gray or brown may make the transition feel softer. On a dark exterior, a lighter roof can provide contrast, although the overall result depends on the home’s proportions and surrounding features. White or light trim may stand out clearly against dark roofing; warm trim can pair naturally with brown blends.
For a coordinated look, homeowners can compare three things together: the roof sample, a siding sample or color board, and a sample of the home’s brick or stone. Looking at each material separately can make it harder to judge how the combination will appear as a whole.
Match the Home’s Architectural Character
Traditional homes often suit familiar colors such as charcoal, medium gray, or weathered brown. A home with natural stone, rustic siding, or varied exterior textures may benefit from a blended shingle that echoes those materials. Simpler, contemporary exteriors may pair well with a restrained color that keeps attention on clean lines and large surfaces.
These are starting points, not rules. Neighborhood context, roof shape, landscaping, and personal preference all influence the result. A color that looks appropriate on a sample house may appear different on a home with a steeper roof or a larger roof area.
How Light and Roof Design Affect Color
Shingle color changes with lighting. Direct midday sun can make a blend look lighter, while cloudy conditions or deep shade can make it appear darker or cooler. The roof’s angle also matters: a steep roof may show more of the shingle surface, while a low-slope roof can be less visible from the street.
Roof complexity can affect how color reads. Multiple gables, dormers, valleys, and roof planes create changing areas of light and shade. On a large roof, a highly varied blend may look more active than it does on a small sample. A restrained color can appear more uniform across a large surface.
Digital images are helpful for narrowing choices, but they are not color guarantees. Screen settings, image editing, and lighting can shift the way a sample appears. The manufacturer also notes that printed and online representations may not reproduce shingle color exactly. Whenever possible, use a physical sample and view it outdoors at the property.
A Practical Process for Comparing Colors
- Confirm the product line. Ask the contractor which CertainTeed shingle family is being quoted. Compare colors within that line rather than assuming every color is available across all products.
- Make a short list. Select two or three options that suit the home’s fixed exterior materials and desired contrast.
- Request current samples. Obtain samples or sample boards through a roofing contractor or local distributor. Verify that they correspond to the product being installed.
- View samples in place. Hold or lay the samples near siding, brick, or stone. Check them in morning light, midday sun, and shade when possible.
- Consider the full roof area. Ask to see completed roofs with the same product and color, ideally on homes with similar roof shapes. A small sample cannot show the full effect of a blend.
- Confirm the order in writing. Check the product name, color name, and quantity on the estimate or contract before materials are ordered.
Homeowners may also ask whether the contractor can provide nearby reference projects or manufacturer-approved visualizer tools. These references are useful for comparison, but an installed roof can still appear different because of lighting, age, and surrounding materials.
Color, Heat, and Energy Considerations
Roof color can influence how much solar energy a roof surface absorbs, but color alone does not determine a home’s indoor temperature or energy use. Attic insulation, ventilation, roof assembly, climate, and air leakage also matter. A dark roof may absorb more solar radiation than a lighter roof under similar conditions, but the practical effect on a particular home depends on the entire building system.
Homeowners concerned about cooling costs should discuss the roof assembly with a qualified contractor rather than choosing solely by color. They can ask about ventilation and insulation, and whether the selected product has any applicable energy or building-code considerations. Product performance claims should be checked for the exact shingle and installation—not assumed from a color label.
Availability, Samples, and Installation Details
Before settling on a color, confirm that it is available for the selected CertainTeed product in the project’s region. A color shown on a general brand page may not be stocked locally or may belong to a different shingle line. If a color is unavailable, the contractor can help identify a similar option, but the replacement should be reviewed in person rather than chosen by name alone.
It is also important to verify that the estimate specifies the exact shingle product and color. Roofing proposals may include other materials, such as underlayment, flashing, ventilation components, and starter shingles. Those components serve installation or weather-protection purposes; they should not be confused with the visible field-shingle color selection.
Ask the installer how the shingles will be blended during installation. Bundles can have natural variation, and proper distribution helps avoid concentrated patches of one shade. The manufacturer’s installation instructions should be followed for the chosen product, including any guidance on handling, application, and ventilation.
Where to Verify Current CertainTeed Colors
CertainTeed’s official website provides product pages, color information, and tools that can help homeowners explore available options. The company’s color selector or visualizer can be a useful first step, while a local roofing professional or distributor can confirm regional stock and provide physical samples. Availability should be checked for the exact product rather than inferred from a general color chart.
For reliable comparison, use manufacturer information alongside an on-site sample review. This approach helps prevent a common mistake: selecting a color that looks right on a screen but clashes with the home’s actual brick, siding, or trim. The final choice should be documented in the roofing contract before installation begins.
Quick Checklist Before Choosing
- Confirm the CertainTeed shingle line and its locally available colors.
- Compare samples with the home’s permanent exterior materials.
- View the samples outdoors under more than one lighting condition.
- Consider roof size, slope, shade, and architectural features.
- Ask about nearby completed roofs or reliable product visualizers.
- Record the exact product and color name in the written agreement.
Useful manufacturer resources include CertainTeed Landmark roofing product information and the CertainTeed website. These sources can help identify product-specific options, while local suppliers can confirm what is currently available for a project.