The right roof color can bring a brick house’s exterior together, while a mismatched choice may compete with the brick’s natural variation. The best roof colors for brick houses depend on more than whether the brick looks red or brown: undertones, mortar, siding, trim, architectural style, and local climate all matter. A useful starting point is to identify the brick’s dominant and secondary colors, then choose a roof that complements rather than imitates them. These practical guidelines can help homeowners compare popular combinations and make a confident choice.
How to Choose a Roof Color for a Brick House
Brick is rarely one uniform color. A wall that appears red from the street may contain orange, brown, charcoal, or cream tones up close. Those secondary colors can guide the roof choice. A roof that picks up one of them often looks more intentional than one selected to match the most obvious brick color exactly.
Begin by looking at the house from several distances and in different daylight. Note the brick’s main color, its undertone, and the color of the mortar. Then consider fixed exterior features that are costly to change, such as stonework, gutters, and brick chimney details. Siding, shutters, front-door paint, and landscaping can usually be updated more easily, so they need not dictate the roof as strongly.
Most successful combinations use one of three approaches: a related color that shares warmth or coolness with the brick, a neutral contrast that lets the brick stand out, or a dark, grounding roof that defines the roofline. In each case, the goal is a coordinated exterior, not an exact color match.
Popular Roof Colors for Brick Houses
Charcoal and dark gray
Charcoal is a versatile choice for many red, brown, and white brick homes. Its neutral appearance can make traditional red brick feel crisp without introducing another strong color. Dark gray also pairs well with black or dark bronze gutters and light-colored trim. For brick with cool gray or blue undertones, a cooler charcoal may create a particularly cohesive look.
Dark gray roofs can look nearly black in shade and lighter in direct sun. Compare actual samples outdoors, and consider the roof’s visibility from the street. A steep roof may show much more color than a low-pitched roof partly hidden by trees.
Brown and weathered wood tones
Brown roofs often complement red, orange, tan, and warm brown brick. Weathered wood-style shingles can add variation that echoes the mixed colors in masonry. This option is especially natural-looking on Craftsman, ranch, and rustic-style homes, though it can also suit traditional houses.
Pay attention to the shade. A roof with strong orange or red undertones may blend too closely with red brick, while a neutral brown can provide a clearer distinction. Brown can also make a home feel warmer and less formal than a black roof.
Black
Black roofing offers a defined outline and works well with many classic brick exteriors, especially red brick with white or cream trim. It can also complement white brick and dark-framed windows. Because black is visually strong, it may dominate a small house or a façade with unusually dark brick. Check a large sample from the street before choosing it.
In sunny areas, a dark roof surface may become hotter than a lighter one, although actual roof performance depends on material, ventilation, insulation, and product design. Homeowners weighing black for a hot climate can ask contractors about reflective options and verify product ratings rather than relying on color alone.
Slate gray and blue-gray
Slate and blue-gray shingles can be attractive with white, gray, and cool-toned brick. They may also bring out subtle charcoal or blue flecks in mixed-color masonry. On a warm red-brick house, a blue-gray roof can create contrast, but the combination is most successful when another exterior detail—such as shutters, a door, or metalwork—repeats a related cool tone.
Green
Muted forest, olive, or gray-green roofing can complement brown, tan, and some red brick, especially on homes with abundant trees or traditional architectural details. Green is more distinctive than charcoal or brown, so it needs a careful sample review. A subdued shade tends to age more gracefully than a vivid one, and it should relate to the brick’s undertones rather than simply match nearby foliage.
Light gray and tan
Light gray, beige, and tan roofs can suit light brick, cream brick, and homes in which a dark roof would feel too heavy. They may also be worth comparing in warm, sunny regions where reducing solar heat gain is a priority. The appearance of a light roof varies with material and finish, and lighter colors can show dirt or weathering differently from darker ones.
Roof and Brick Color Pairings
The following combinations are starting points, not fixed rules. Brick varies from batch to batch, and the same roof color can look different next to different mortar, trim, and siding.
| Brick color or character | Roof colors to compare | Design effect |
|---|---|---|
| Classic red brick | Charcoal, black, neutral brown, weathered wood | Traditional contrast or warm coordination |
| Orange or rust brick | Brown, charcoal, muted green | Balances warm masonry with a grounded roof |
| Brown or tan brick | Brown, dark gray, olive, slate | Natural, earthy, or subtly contrasting |
| White or cream brick | Charcoal, black, slate, medium brown | Strong definition or softer warmth |
| Gray brick | Charcoal, black, blue-gray, muted brown | Cool, coordinated, or gently warmed |
| Mixed-color brick | A neutral drawn from a secondary brick tone | Connects varied masonry colors without competing |
Match the Roof to the Brick’s Undertones
Undertones are the subtle warm or cool qualities that remain beneath a color’s main appearance. Warm brick tends toward red, orange, gold, or brown. Cool brick may contain gray, blue, or violet notes. A roof with a related undertone often looks harmonious even when its surface color is not an exact match.
For example, a warm brown roof can connect red brick to tan trim, while charcoal can give warm brick a clean counterpoint. A blue-gray roof may reinforce the cool flecks in gray brick. If the brick contains both warm and cool shades, a neutral roof—such as charcoal, dark gray, or a balanced brown—can keep the exterior from feeling busy.
Mortar deserves attention, too. Pale mortar creates a lighter pattern across a brick wall; darker mortar can make the wall appear more uniform or dramatic. A roof that coordinates with the mortar may help tie together the brick, trim, and other light-colored details.
Consider the Whole Exterior
A roof makes up a large visual surface, but it is only one part of the exterior. Check how the selected color works with siding, fascia, gutters, window frames, shutters, and the front door. It does not need to match every feature. Instead, aim for a limited palette in which each major color has a clear role.
- For a traditional look: Pair red brick with charcoal or black roofing, light trim, and understated shutters.
- For a warm, natural look: Combine brown or tan brick with a medium-brown roof and cream trim.
- For a lighter exterior: Use white or pale brick with slate gray roofing and simple dark accents.
- For a distinctive exterior: Consider muted green or blue-gray only after checking that it relates to a color already present in the brick or landscape.
Architectural style can refine the choice. A slate-like gray may suit Colonial or Victorian details, while brown or weathered wood tones may feel at home on a Craftsman design. These are useful associations, not requirements; the roof’s scale, brick color, and surrounding homes matter more than a style label alone.
How Climate and Roofing Material Affect Color
Roof color can influence how much solar energy a roof absorbs, but color alone does not determine indoor comfort or energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than conventional roofs. Reflectance varies by roofing product, and some products are designed to remain more reflective even in darker colors.
In hot, sunny climates, homeowners can ask a roofing contractor about a product’s solar reflectance and thermal emittance, along with attic insulation and ventilation. The ENERGY STAR program’s roof product criteria and the Cool Roof Rating Council’s directory can help consumers compare rated products where applicable. Local building requirements, utility incentives, and product availability should also be checked because programs and rules vary.
In colder regions, a darker roof may absorb more solar heat during sunny weather, but that does not automatically make it the best choice. Roof performance depends on the complete building assembly, including insulation and ventilation. A qualified contractor can explain how the proposed material fits the home and local climate.
Material affects both appearance and performance. Asphalt shingles are widely available in many colors and blends. Metal roofing comes in varied finishes and may offer reflective options. Tile and slate have distinct profiles and color ranges, while their weight and installation requirements need consideration. Compare samples of the actual product—not just a color chip—because texture, granule blend, and light reflection change how a roof reads from the ground.
Ways to Test Roof Colors Before Buying
Roof replacement is a major exterior investment, so a small printed swatch is not enough to judge a color. Samples can look different in a showroom, in direct sun, and against a full brick wall. A few practical checks reduce the chance of an unwelcome surprise.
- Collect large samples. Ask the contractor or manufacturer for full shingle or roofing samples in the exact product and color under consideration.
- View them outdoors. Place samples near the brick and inspect them in morning, midday, and overcast light.
- Look from the street. Step back to approximate the roof’s actual appearance and consider how much of it is visible.
- Use a reputable visualizer. Digital tools can help narrow choices, but screens and edited photos do not show color perfectly.
- Review nearby homes. Observe how roof colors look with similar brick, while following any neighborhood or HOA rules.
It can also help to view recently completed roofs in the same product. Ask for examples rather than relying only on marketing photos, which may use different lighting or image settings.
Common Roof Color Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing by a tiny sample: A small sample hides the variation of a full roof. Request a larger piece and assess it against the house.
Matching the brick too closely: A near-identical red or brown can make the exterior look flat. A complementary neutral or a slightly different shade usually provides more definition.
Ignoring undertones: A very cool roof beside strongly orange brick can feel disconnected unless other exterior elements bridge the colors. Compare warm and cool options before deciding.
Forgetting fixed details: Stone, chimneys, and permanent masonry accents are part of the palette. A roof that works with the main wall but clashes with those details may not feel cohesive.
Assuming dark or light is always better: Roof color preference is only one factor. Product reflectivity, roof design, climate, maintenance needs, and local restrictions all matter.
Skipping neighborhood rules: Some homeowners associations or historic districts regulate roofing materials or colors. Checking requirements before ordering can prevent delays and costly changes.
Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor
A contractor can help evaluate samples and explain product differences, but the homeowner should ask specific questions before selecting a color and signing a contract.
- Which colors are available in the exact roofing product and profile being quoted?
- Can the contractor provide large samples or addresses of completed installations?
- Does the product have published solar reflectance or other relevant performance ratings?
- How will the roof color look with the existing gutters, flashing, and trim?
- Are there local code, historic-district, or HOA requirements to confirm?
- Does the written estimate specify the manufacturer, product line, color, and any applicable warranty?
Written specifications help ensure the installed roof matches the product and color that were approved. Homeowners should also confirm the contractor’s licensing and insurance requirements for their state and review the warranty terms before work begins.