Are you dissatisfied with the color of your roof? Do you feel like it’s preventing you from having the exterior look you want, or limiting the paint colors you can choose for your home? Maybe you’re tired of your red tile roof, or wish you could replace your green shingles, but don’t have the budget for a full roof replacement? There is another option…you can paint it! Painting a roof is less expensive than a full replacement, and is a great way to change the look of your exterior. Read on for some essential tips and color inspiration for painting a roof.
Should you paint your roof?
In general, it’s always going to be a better choice to replace your roof rather than paint it. Paint can chip and fade over time, whereas a new roof will retail its color longer. However, if you don’t have the budget for a full replacement, and your roof is in good shape, painting can be a great option.
If you’re unhappy with the color of your roof, or the color has faded unevenly over time, but is otherwise in good condition, then you’re a perfect candidate for painting your roof. Especially if you’re already planning to paint the exterior!
Painting your roof can also help with your energy costs. A lighter color can reflect heat, and keep the interior of your house cooler. On the flip side, a darker shade will retain more heat.
Who shouldn’t paint their roof? If your roof is damaged or leaking, painting over it will not fix the problem. Also, a painted roof requires maintenance to keep up the look, especially in locations with more extreme weather. Intense sunlight will fade the color more quickly, and frequent rain or hail can deteriorate your paint job. So, if you’re not up for the maintenance, replacement is probably a better option for you.
What kind of paint should you use?
Choosing the right paint for your roof is very important to ensure your paint job will last. You’ll need to use a 100% acrylic latex paint that is specially formulated for roofs. You can buy roof paint that is tintable, able to be matched to a specific paint color, or you can buy paint that is pre-colored.
Source: Sherwin-Williams
What does it cost to paint a roof?
The cost to paint a roof depends on the size (surface area) of your roof, any cleaning or repairs that might be needed, and your local economy. On average, a professional roof painting can cost between $2,500 and $7,500. Home improvement and painting contractors charge different rates in different parts of the country, so your cost will be on the higher end or lower end depending on where you live. Be sure to contact 2-3 local painting contractors to get estimates and compare pricing for your job.
How long does painting a roof last?
A good quality paint job can last about 5 years or more, depending on your weather conditions. Over time, the paint may fade or flake off, and you’ll need to repaint it. You can extend the look and life of your painting job by using a high quality paint formulated for roofs, using the right tools to ensure sufficient coverage, and touching up any areas that chip or fade when they arise.
Source: Back to New Roofing
What are the best colors to paint your roof?
If you’re interested in changing your roof color, it’s likely because the color is interfering with your exterior paint color choices. I do a lot of exterior paint consultations, and the best roof colors are neutrals! Neutrals, like blacks, browns, and grays, allow you to choose a wide range of paint colors for your exterior, without having to worry so much about coordinating with your roof color.
My recommendation is to stick with shades of gray, dark browns, bronzes, and blacks. Avoid browns that have strong red or orange undertones, and any grays that that have noticeable green or blue undertones to them. Instead, opt for colors that are neutral or have subtle warm undertones.
For tile roofs, it’s best to stick with earthy colors that can give you a fairly natural appearance. I recommend avoiding blacks, because they end up looking too harsh, and instead choose a bronze or a brown. If you’re planning to use a tintable roof paint, like Kool Seal via Sherwin Williams, here are a few of my favorite paint colors for tile roofs:
For asphalt shingles, you have a bit more flexibility. Blacks and charcoals are your best choice, but lighter shades of gray, bronzes, and browns can also work well. When it comes to grays, try to choose a gray that is neutral without any strong cool (blue or purple) undertones. Paint colors with warm undertones tend to work best for exteriors, whereas a cool gray roof may cause you some challenges when choosing your exterior paint colors. Here are some of my favorite paint colors for asphalt roofs:
If you aren’t able to color-match your roof paint, head on over to Home Depot and try one of these great options from Behr:
Should you paint a roof yourself or hire someone?
I strongly recommend hiring someone to paint your roof. Not only will they have the right tools for the job (e.g. paint sprayers), but they also know how to do it safely.
Source: Tile Magic
Painting a roof yourself may save you some money, but be sure to factor in the cost of buying materials and renting equipment, and, of course, your time. Also, you’ll need to keep safety in mind, and buy or rent any necessary equipment you need to climb and work on your roof safely.
If you decide to paint it yourself, here are some tips:
- Be sure to clean the roof with a pressure washer before painting
- Make any necessary repairs to the roof before painting. Painting over your roof will not fix leaks!
- Prime your roof before painting. Primer will help your paint bond to the roof, and can help prevent rust or mildew from forming
- Apply paint with a paint sprayer or a soft-bristled broom, which can act as a large paint brush
If you’re not happy with the color of your roof, but a full replacement isn’t in the cards right now, painting your roof might just be the best option for you! Paint can transform your exterior, and drastically improve your curb appeal for resale. Imagine how great it would feel to have a home you love coming home to! Hopefully, these tips for painting a roof will help you with your decision.
For more tips on choosing exterior paint colors, check out this post. Also, if you need recommendations for specific exterior body colors, read my posts on the Best Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint Colors and the Best Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Colors.
I appreciate the tips about painting a roof. The idea of having my roof painted again is appealing to me. I’ll have to find a roofer that offers this service.
I painted the south facing side of my asphalt shingle roof white about 14 years ago using semigloss house paint which I thinned about 50%. I did this to keep the roof cooler (as the average high is 95 in July) and it keeps the room under it noticably cooler. Paint had the unexpected benefit of sealing the shingles together. The shingles are loosening with age much more on the unpainted portions of the roof though the south takes much more wind. The paint has not failed at any location nor changed color. I have not maintained it. Be sure to use a paint that is not elastomeric since coverage is very poor since the paint is so thick. Behr roof paint (Home Depot) is a paint designed for roofs that is not elastomeric. Though the experts recommend flat paint I have found that acrylic latex paint adheres very well to asphalt shingles and that painted asphalt shingles will last longer. I am painting the rest of the roof with Behr paint to seal the shingles to preserve them and keep the roof cooler.
Thanks for sharing your tips and experience!
I painted the south facing side of my asphalt shingle roof white about 14 years ago using semigloss house paint which I thinned about 50%. I did this to keep the roof cooler (as the average high is 95 in July) and it keeps the room under it noticably cooler. Paint had the unexpected benefit of sealing the shingles together. The shingles are loosening with age much more on the unpainted portions of the roof though the south takes much more wind. The paint has not failed at any location nor changed color. I have not maintained it. Be sure to use a paint that is not elastomeric since coverage is very poor since the paint is so thick. Behr roof paint (Home Depot) is a paint designed for roofs that is not elastomeric. Though the experts recommend flat paint I have found that acrylic latex paint adheres very well to asphalt shingles and that painted asphalt shingles will last longer. I am painting the rest of the roof with Behr paint to seal the shingles to preserve them and keep the roof cooler. Note that with asphalt shingles, the lighter the color the slower they deteriorate since heat deteriorates.
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Good job emphasizing the importance of proper preparation, such as cleaning and priming the surface, as well as choosing the right type of paint for the job. Additionally, the article suggests taking safety precautions, such as using a sturdy ladder and wearing protective gear, to avoid accidents. Following these tips can help ensure that your roof painting project is successful and that the finished result looks great.