11 Best Roof Color Combinations for a Red Brick House

Selecting the right roof color for a red brick house can significantly increase its appearance and value.
Red brick homes have stood the test of time, but the right roof color can make them truly stand out in the neighborhood.
The color combination between your roof and brick significantly impacts how your home appears from the street.
This blog shows the top roof color options that work well with red brick houses. From classic blacks and grays to browns and greens, each color brings something different to your home’s overall style.
You’ll learn what makes each combination work and how to choose based on your home’s specific shade of brick. With these tips, finding the perfect roof color will be simpler than you might think.
How to Choose a Roof Color for a Red Brick House
Choosing the right roof color for a red brick house is a crucial decision that significantly impacts your home’s overall appearance. The most suitable roof shade can enhance your house’s appearance and potentially increase its market value.
Main Points to Consider When Selecting Roof Colors for Red Brick Houses:
- Your brick’s specific shade matters – lighter bricks pair well with darker roofs
- The style of your house helps determine suitable color choices
- Regional climate might impact your selection
- Consider the surrounding homes in your neighborhood
When matching colors, consider the undertones in your brick. Red bricks with orange undertones work well with brown or tan roofs, while bricks with purple undertones match nicely with gray or black roofs.
Looking at color samples next to your brick in different light conditions helps make the best choice.
Best Roof Color Combinations for Red Brick Houses
Here are some roof color ideas that go well with red brick houses, improving curb appeal and creating a unified look.
1. Charcoal Gray
Charcoal gray roofs create a modern, clean look with red brick houses. This dark shade provides a strong contrast against the red bricks, making both colors appear bolder and more distinct.
This works well with both light and dark red brick tones, giving the home a put-together appearance. And also hides dirt and marks, making it practical for many climates.
When paired with a white trim, the combination looks crisp and fresh and suits various home styles, from classic to modern.
Design Tip: Choose a charcoal shade with a hint of blue to balance the warmth of the brick.
2. Slate Gray
Slate gray offers a softer alternative to charcoal while still providing contrast. This medium-toned gray has a natural stone-like quality that pairs beautifully with brick.
This roofs work especially well with deeper red bricks, creating a balanced look that isn’t too stark. The color has a timeless appeal and fits many architectural styles.
This roof color gives homes a refined, stately appearance without being too bold.
Design Tip: Pair slate gray roofs with slate or stone accents on walkways, chimneys, or columns to create a cohesive, grounded exterior that highlights the natural, timeless appeal of both materials.
3. Black
This color of roofs creates a bold, dramatic statement when paired with red brick. This classic combination works with all shades of red brick, from orange-red to deep burgundy.
Black roofs enhance the rich tones in the brick, providing maximum contrast. They look particularly striking on colonial, Tudor, or Victorian-style homes.
Black shingles give your house a solid and well-established appearance in the neighborhood.
Design Tip: For best results, pair a black roof with white trim to break up the heaviness of the design.
4. Dark Brown
Dark brown roofs complement red brick beautifully by playing off the natural, earthy quality of both materials. This combination creates a warm, welcoming feeling for your home.
This color of roofs works particularly well with orange-toned red bricks, increasing their warmth and complementing craftsman, ranch, and rustic architectural styles perfectly.
The look feels organic and settled, as if the house belongs naturally in its setting. Dark brown shingles hide dirt well and maintain their good looks for years.
Design Tip: For extra charm, pair brown roofs with cream or tan trim colors.
5. Weathered Wood
Weathered wood roofs offer a varied, multi-toned look that perfectly complements red brick homes. This blend of browns, tans, and grays creates visual interest while still harmonizing with the brick’s natural feel.
This color combination works well in rural and suburban settings. The varied colors help disguise dirt or minor damage.
Design Tip: Pairs wonderfully with homes featuring natural stone accents. For a complete look, add wooden or composite shutters in a similar tone.
6. Green
Green roofs provide an unexpected yet pleasing complement to red brick homes. Forest or sage green tones create a nature-inspired contrast with red brick, evoking a sense of both freshness and tradition.
This combination works especially well in wooded settings or homes with lots of landscaping.
These roofs help a brick home blend in with its surroundings while still maintaining its character. Darker greens pair best with traditional red bricks, while lighter sage tones match nicely with pink-hued bricks.
Design Tip: Use cream or white trim to maintain a fresh and balanced look.
7. Blue-Gray
Blue-gray roofs create a subtle, polished look with red brick homes. This cool-toned color provides an interesting contrast to the warmth of brick.
This pairs particularly well with darker red or burgundy bricks, creating a visually appealing and refined appearance. This roof color adds a touch of uniqueness without straying too far from traditional choices.
In coastal areas, blue-gray roofs feel especially fitting, as they connect the home to its surroundings. This color combination suits homes in Cape Cod, colonial, and cottage styles.
Design Tip: Finish the look with navy or black shutters and bright white trim.
8. Terracotta
Terracotta roofs create a Mediterranean or Spanish colonial feeling when paired with red brick.
This warm, orange-red roof color highlights similar tones in the brick, creating a harmonious, sun-baked look. The combination feels rich and traditional, making it ideal for specific design styles.
While matching colors closely, the different textures between the roof and brick create enough visual interest. Terra cotta works best in sunny, warm climates, where the style originated.
Design Tip: Look for tones with subtle yellow or pink undertones to match the warmth of the brick.
9. Cream or Beige
Cream or Beige roofs provide a light, bright contrast against red brick. This unexpected pairing creates a fresh, open feeling that makes homes appear larger.
These light colors reflect heat, making them smart choices for hot, sunny regions. These roofs work especially well with darker red bricks, as the contrast highlights both materials.
This combination gives traditional brick homes a more current, updated appearance.
Design Tip: Look for tones with subtle yellow or pink undertones to match the warmth of the brick.
10. Dark Red
When paired with red brick, dark red roofs create a monochromatic look. This matching approach creates a bold, confident appearance that feels intentional and designed.
The slight variation between brick and roof adds subtle texture while maintaining color harmony.
This combination works well for traditional home styles with strong architectural features. Dark red roofs look especially striking during the fall and winter months.
Design Tip: For the best effect, choose a roof that’s a few shades darker than your brick, and white trim adds just the right contrast to frame the look.
11. Multi-Colored
Multi-Colored roofs blend various shades, such as browns, tans, reds, and grays, creating a varied look that complements red brick homes.
This mixture of colors helps tie together different elements of your home’s exterior. The varied palette ensures that some colors will perfectly match your brick’s undertones.
Multi-colored shingles add visual interest and dimension to the roof surface. This style hides dirt and wears better than solid colors. The varied tones work with many house styles, from traditional to modern.
Design Tip: Select a blend that includes at least one shade found in your brick to maintain a cohesive look.
Tips on Roof Maintenance Based on Color
When choosing the perfect roof color for your red brick house, it’s not just about appearance but maintenance plays a big role, too. Different roof colors can impact the amount of maintenance required over the years.
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Lighter Roof Colors: Light colors, such as beige, light gray, or soft brown, bounce off more sunlight, keeping your attic cooler in warm weather. They hide dust well and fade less, but they can more easily show dark stains from algae or mildew.
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Darker Roof Colors: Deep shades like charcoal, dark green, or even black complement red brick beautifully but tend to absorb more heat. In humid areas, they may exhibit streaking due to algae growth, but they also conceal dirt and debris more effectively than lighter-colored roofs.
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Earthy and Muted Tones: Colors like slate gray, muted greens, and browns age gracefully and typically hide weathering well. These tones often require less frequent maintenance but benefit from occasional power washing to remove natural buildup, such as moss or lichen.
No matter the color, routine maintenance like gutter cleaning, trimming overhanging branches, and inspecting after storms can prolong the life of your roof while keeping it looking sharp.
Cost Implications of Different Roof Colors
Factor | Details |
---|---|
Energy Efficiency |
Lighter roofs reflect sunlight, reducing cooling costs in hot climates. Darker roofs absorb heat, which is beneficial in colder areas. |
Material and Color Premiums |
Premium materials (e.g., clay tiles, architectural shingles) offer more color options but are generally more expensive. Custom colors may require special orders. |
Maintenance Costs | Dark roofs may require frequent cleaning in humid areas due to the growth of algae. Light-colored roofs show dirt more easily and require regular cleaning. |
Longevity Costs | Premium materials, such as slate or metal, tend to last longer but come at a higher upfront cost. Asphalt shingles are less expensive but require replacement sooner. |
Resale Value | Neutral, earthy tones enhance curb appeal and attract buyers, thereby boosting resale value. Bold colors may limit buyer interest. |
Conclusion
Choosing the right roof color for your red brick house is more than just picking what looks good; it’s about finding a balance between style, practicality, and long-term value.
The right shade can complement your brickwork, highlight your home’s architecture, and even improve energy efficiency.
It doesn’t matter if you prefer bold contrasts, such as black or charcoal, or earthy tones like weathered wood and dark brown; each option has its charm.
Remember to factor in maintenance and cost implications to make an informed choice that suits your climate and lifestyle.
With the color combinations and tips shared in this guide, you’re well-equipped to select a roof that not only boosts your curb appeal but also stands the test of time.