What House Colors Go With a Black Roof?

The house colors that go best with a black roof are whites and soft whites, light and medium grays, warm neutrals with wood accents, and deep reds, finished with one bold accent color. Owens Corning's style boards for its two Duration black shingles show that range: Onyx Black paired with a white exterior and a green accent (Sherwin-Williams Jadite, SW 6459), and Black Sable paired with a soft white (Snowbound, SW 7004), a Tudor palette of warm butterscotch and wood tones (Oceanside, SW 6496), and an updated Craftsman palette built on a rich, dark red.

Those boards also reveal something easy to miss: these two blacks are not the same black. Owens Corning describes Onyx Black as a black shingle with prominent dark gray and black granules, while it describes Black Sable as a black with a dark brown undertone, made from brown, taupe, dark gray and black granules. Its 2019 Shingle Color of the Year brochure for Black Sable even asks, "Is it black or is it brown?" That difference decides which palettes work best. Crisp whites, grays and cool accents lean toward Onyx Black, while creams, butterscotch, wood and reds lean toward Black Sable. This guide covers how to choose between the two, which siding and trim colors suit each, and what to know about heat and impact ratings before you commit.

Is Onyx Black or Black Sable the Right Black for Your House?

An undertone is the subtle color underneath the main color. With black shingles, the undertone affects which siding colors look settled next to the roof.

• Onyx Black: a black with dark gray and black granules and no warm undertone in Owens Corning's description. It suits crisp, high-contrast exteriors.

• Black Sable: a black with a dark brown undertone, which Owens Corning's 2019 brochure describes as black granules layered with gray, umber and sable. It suits warmer, softer palettes.

The two also differ in where you can get them. On Owens Corning's product pages, Onyx Black appears in Oakridge, TruDefinition Duration, Duration FLEX and Duration STORM, while Black Sable appears in the Duration Designer collection and Duration FLEX.

We cover each color in more depth in our guide to Owens Corning Onyx Black and our post on Black Sable, the 2019 Shingle Color of the Year.

Does a White House Look Good With a Black Roof?

Yes, and it is one of the combinations Owens Corning uses on both of its black shingles. The difference is the kind of white.

On its Jadite board, Owens Corning says that when paired with a white exterior, Onyx Black "brings a crispness and simplicity to the pairing," which "allows the green accent to shine," and calls the result "both fresh and timeless." A bright white house, an Onyx Black roof and a single colored accent follows that board closely.

On its Snowbound board, Owens Corning says "a soft white hue plays very well with Black Sable," and that the deep, rich tones of the roof complement a clean, simple exterior while letting your accent color shine. A soft or slightly warm white under Black Sable looks gentler than stark white under Onyx Black.

When choosing a white, hold the siding or paint sample next to the actual shingle outdoors, not on a screen, and look at it at different times of day.

What Other House Colors Work With a Black Roof?

Grays and greige

Light and medium gray siding under a black roof creates a calm, layered look. Keep the siding clearly lighter than the roof so the two do not blend together, and use white trim to separate them.

Warm neutrals and wood

Owens Corning's Oceanside board says the depth and richness of Black Sable "suits a Tudor style to a T" and pairs well with "the warm butterscotch and wood tones commonly found with the architectural style." If your home has stained wood, tan stucco or warm stone, Black Sable is the more natural black.

Deep reds

On its Maroon board, Owens Corning says Black Sable adds stateliness to an updated Craftsman palette, and that "the rich, dark red color and the deep brown and black tones of the shingle" give the exterior "a sophisticated warmth." Deep red siding, or a red front door on a lighter house, works well under a brown-black roof.

Greens and other accents

A black roof gives almost any accent color room to stand out. Owens Corning's Jadite board uses green, and its Oceanside board notes that Black Sable "allows for the unexpected splash of color as an accent." Shutters, a front door or a porch ceiling are easy places to try one.

For more siding ideas that suit local homes, see the best siding colors for Pittsburgh-area homes.

Which Trim, Gutter and Window Colors Go With a Black Roof?

A black roof sets the darkest value on the house, so the trim decides how much contrast you get:

1. White trim keeps the look crisp and works with nearly every siding color.

2. Black windows repeat the roof color and suit farmhouse and modern homes, especially with Onyx Black.

3. Gutters can match the trim to disappear, or match the roof to frame the house. White gutters on a white house, or black gutters with black windows, are both clean choices.

4. One accent color on the door or shutters, as Owens Corning's boards show, gives the eye a focal point.

If you want a very dark roof that is not quite black, Owens Corning's Williamsburg Gray is described as a dark neutral gray with brown, dark gray and black granules. Our guide to the best exterior colors to pair with Williamsburg Gray shingles covers that option.

Does a Black Roof Make a House Hotter?

Dark roofs absorb more sunlight than light ones. The U.S. Department of Energy says conventional roofs can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit or more on a sunny summer afternoon, and that a reflective roof could stay more than 50 degrees cooler. For homeowners who prefer a darker asphalt shingle, it suggests looking for cool-colored granules.

The Department of Energy also notes that reflective roofs save the most in hot climates and can raise energy costs in colder climates, where the winter heating penalty can outweigh the summer savings. For a Pittsburgh-area home, that makes color a matter of taste first, backed by good attic ventilation and insulation. Our article on how your roof can affect your home's energy efficiency covers roof color and ventilation in more detail.

How Can You Test a Black Roof Against Your Siding?

Owens Corning recommends starting with online research, then requesting an actual shingle sample to see how it looks with your exterior in different natural light, and finally looking at the color on an installed roof. It also offers its Design EyeQ tool for trying colors on a photo of your house and 21 inch by 24 inch printed shingle color posters.

Craig Gouker Roofing lists both Onyx Black and Black Sable on its Owens Corning shingle colors page, and its Bethel Park showroom displays samples of all of its shingle and trim options, so you can compare the two blacks side by side.

FAQ

What color house looks best with a black roof?

White, soft white, light gray and greige are the most reliable choices. Owens Corning's style boards also pair Black Sable with warm butterscotch and wood tones and with a rich, dark red.

What is the difference between Onyx Black and Black Sable?

Owens Corning describes Onyx Black as a black made of dark gray and black granules, and Black Sable as a black with a dark brown undertone from brown, taupe, dark gray and black granules.

Does a black roof go with a gray house?

Yes. Choose gray siding that is clearly lighter than the roof and separate the two with white trim so the house does not look like one dark mass.

What trim color goes with a white house and a black roof?

White trim keeps the look clean, and black window frames or gutters repeat the roof color. Add one accent, such as a green or red door.

Is a black roof a bad choice in western Pennsylvania?

Not necessarily. The Department of Energy notes that reflective roofs save the most in hot climates and can raise heating costs in colder ones, so color alone is not a reliable energy strategy in this region.

Can I get a black roof in a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle?

Yes. On Owens Corning's product pages, Onyx Black appears in both Class 4 lines, Duration FLEX and Duration STORM, and Black Sable appears in Duration FLEX.

Why Pittsburgh Homeowners Choose Craig Gouker Roofing for Black Roofs

Craig Gouker Roofing has replaced roofs across the Pittsburgh area since 1991 and works exclusively with Owens Corning Duration and Designer Duration shingles as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor. The company also installs ProVia vinyl siding, so you can plan a black roof and your siding color together with one team. Every installation is backed by a 5-year workmanship guarantee, and estimates are free. Learn more about our residential roof replacements and siding contractor services.

Visit Craig Gouker Roofing or call (412) 664-7679 today. Contact us for more information.