Before and After Ranch Re-do: Working with the Roof Color
September 4, 2012 § 4 Comments
Perplexed homeowners posted a dilemma on the blog. After deciding to keep the Desert Tan roof and aluminum windows on their newly remodeled 1960s atomic ranch, they struggled to come up with colors for the siding, trim and front door.
Making matters a little more complicated, they panicked (well, you know) when they saw the newly installed aluminum and glass garage doors they had selected and felt they overpowered the house.
Knowing the homeowners did not really like their roof (chosen by previous owners), I offered a couple of paint color options that would coordinate the siding with the roof. Contrasting the siding color with the roof would have made the roof pop off the house– not something the homeowners wanted. (When you’re trying to camouflage something, think blending.) I gave them Mayflower Red (Benjamin Moore HC-49) and Maryville Brown HC-75.
For trim, I suggested they match the paint color to the aluminum windows and garage door. The homeowners did the leg work — Metro Gray 1459. Then to draw the eye along the wonderful curved pathway and over to the front door, we needed color. I suggested something like Charlotte Slate AC-24
or Amethyst Shadow 1441? They went with the Amethyst. I don’t think you’ll see another house just like this one, and that, in the world of curb appeal, is refreshing!
Homeowner: The Mayflower Red pulls the red out of the roofing, makes the aluminum pop and has the added attraction of being different from anything else in the neighborhood without screaming “look at me.”
Your Home & Color Coach 
very creative solution. warm colors.
Thanks, Andy!
My name is Jane and I just sent payment, We have purchased a 1930’s cape near beach in a cool climate and are trying to decide on roof color, The neighborhood has mostly black or brown roofs. The siding of the house is white which we do not plan on changing in the near future. My boyfriend likes the GAF biscayne blue for roof option and wants to later add dark blue shutters, He thought this would be something different from others in neighborhood. I am not so sure what other colors would would work best with this to compliment the blue roof and white house,.gutters, trim, door etc. . Our porch railing and outside light fixtures are black for now
We need to make a decision ASAP as the work is starting in a couple of days. Below is a link to a photo of our house. Please help!
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8-Hunter-Ave-Newport-RI-02840/65981709_zpid/
Hi Jane,
I love a blue roof on a white house. There are so few colors where a blue roof can work well — white is one of them. And in your coastal location, it’s really quite perfect.
Keep all white trim (windows, fascia, door trim). And consider a Gentleman’s Gray shutter color (2062-20 Ben Moore).
You can pick the same color for the front door or another contrasting color like:
Dinner party AF-300 (Ben Moore) or Traditional Yellow (Ben Moore 170).
I think you’re good to go. You can keep the black metal or move to another metal color like bronze or pewter.
See what you think.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach