Facts checked September 22, 2026
Most roof color questions come down to taste, and taste is yours. What we can add is the practical side: which colors GAF Timberline HDZ (GAF's #1-selling shingle) and CertainTeed Landmark actually come in, which ones are available everywhere and which are regional, and where the science on color and heat really lands for a Michigan house.
The short version on heat: color matters most on a sunny summer afternoon and least in winter, when the sun is low and the roof is often under snow. ENERGY STAR traces ice dams to a too-warm attic, so pick the color you like and deal with the attic on its own terms.
The colors below are ranked for how easily they fit the brick, siding and stone common on West Michigan houses, how widely they're available, and how they sit with historic-district rules in Grand Rapids.
How We Ranked the Colors
Fits the House You Have
Brick, stone and siding don't change when the roof does. A color that works with what's staying is the right one.
Available Here
GAF sells nine Timberline HDZ High Definition colors nationwide and ten more only in certain areas. CertainTeed says Landmark availability varies by region.
Seen in Real Life
GAF warns that screens show colors differently and says to ask your contractor for shingle samples. We agree: look outside, in daylight.
Honest About Heat
Most dark roofing reflects only 5 to 20% of sunlight, per DOE. That matters in July. In a Michigan winter, snow cover and a low sun shrink the difference.
Historic District Fit
In a Grand Rapids historic district, roofing is reviewed, and substitutes have to match the historic roof's color, texture and reflectivity.
7 Roof Color Families for Michigan Homes
1. Weathered Wood and Other Brown-Gray Blends
Best for: A neutral roof that won't fight with brick, stone or siding
GAF says more of its customers choose Weathered Wood than any other shingle color, and describes it as rich tones with neutral highlights. It's a blend of browns and grays, so it reads warm next to red brick and cool next to gray siding.
CertainTeed Landmark also comes in a Weathered Wood, and GAF's new Bold Definition collection includes Sierra Sand, which GAF calls its bold take on Weathered Wood.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: Weathered Wood (nationwide), Sierra Sand (Bold Definition)
- CertainTeed Landmark: Weathered Wood
- GAF's most-chosen shingle color
2. Charcoal and Black
Best for: Crisp contrast with white, light gray or cream siding
Charcoal is one of GAF's four top-selling High Definition colors. Midnight Mesa is its Bold Definition take on Charcoal. On the CertainTeed side, the company says homeowners have fallen for the contemporary dark tones of Moire Black, and Landmark also comes in Charcoal Black and Cinder Black.
Dark roofs absorb more summer sun. DOE puts a conventional dark surface at about 20% of sunlight reflected, against about 40% for a cool dark color and 80% for a light surface. If summer heat is your main worry, ask about a cool dark color, and have the attic ventilation and insulation checked, before giving up the look you want.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: Charcoal, Midnight Mesa (Bold Definition)
- CertainTeed Landmark: Moire Black, Charcoal Black, Cinder Black
- Conventional dark surface reflects about 20% of sunlight (DOE)
3. Grays
Best for: Gray, white or blue siding and modern trim colors
Pewter Gray is on GAF's list of most popular Timberline HDZ colors, and Cliffside is its Bold Definition take on Pewter Gray. GAF also sells Fox Hollow Gray and Oyster Gray in some regions.
CertainTeed Landmark's grays include Cobblestone Gray, Georgetown Gray, Granite Gray, Pewter and Thunderstorm Gray. CertainTeed lists Thunderstorm Gray only under its standard Landmark line, not the algae-resistant Landmark AR, so ask which version you're getting.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: Pewter Gray, Cliffside
- CertainTeed Landmark: Georgetown Gray, Cobblestone Gray, Granite Gray, Pewter
- Fox Hollow Gray and Oyster Gray are regional GAF colors
4. Browns
Best for: Warm-toned brick, tan or wood-look siding and cedar accents
Barkwood and Shakewood are both on GAF's list of most popular colors, and Hickory and Mission Brown round out GAF's nationwide browns. Chestnut Valley is the Bold Definition take on Barkwood.
CertainTeed says homeowners like Resawn Shake for its lighter, wood-shake-inspired tan and brown. Landmark's other browns include Burnt Sienna and Black Walnut.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: Barkwood, Shakewood, Hickory, Mission Brown, Chestnut Valley
- CertainTeed Landmark: Resawn Shake, Burnt Sienna, Black Walnut
5. Slate and Blue-Gray
Best for: Older homes, and houses that once had a slate roof
GAF sells Slate nationwide, with Williamsburg Slate and Biscayne Blue in some regions. CertainTeed Landmark offers Colonial Slate, and the company describes Georgetown Gray as having a slate-like look.
This family matters most on older houses. In Grand Rapids historic districts, sound slate can't simply be stripped off, and where a substitute is allowed it has to match the historic roof in color, pattern, reflectivity and texture.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: Slate (nationwide), Williamsburg Slate and Biscayne Blue (regional)
- CertainTeed Landmark: Colonial Slate, Georgetown Gray
6. Green and Red
Best for: A deliberate accent, or matching a roof color the house has always had
Hunter Green is one of GAF's nine nationwide High Definition colors. Patriot Red and Sunset Brick are sold only in certain areas, and CertainTeed lists Terra Cotta under standard Landmark only, not the algae-resistant version.
These are the colors most worth seeing on a full sample board outdoors before you commit. They're a strong statement, and availability in West Michigan is the first thing to confirm.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: Hunter Green (nationwide), Patriot Red and Sunset Brick (regional)
- CertainTeed Landmark: Terra Cotta (standard Landmark only)
7. Light and Cool-Rated Colors
Best for: Homeowners whose main complaint is a hot upstairs in summer
Lighter and cool-rated shingles reflect more sun. CertainTeed applies its Solaris cool-roof granules to some of its most popular shingles and says they reflect up to 44% of solar heat. DOE says cool asphalt shingles cost about the same as conventional ones.
Be realistic about the payoff here. ENERGY STAR says cool roofs save the most in hot, sunny climates on buildings with little roof insulation. LBNL calls the winter heating penalty in cold climates typically small, EPA says summer savings typically offset it, and snow cover shrinks it further. Don't look for an ENERGY STAR label on shingles: that program ended on June 1, 2022.
- CertainTeed Solaris granules: up to 44% of solar heat reflected
- Cool roofs save most in hot, sunny climates (ENERGY STAR)
- ENERGY STAR roof product label ended June 1, 2022
Shingle Colors by Family
| Color family | GAF Timberline HDZ | CertainTeed Landmark |
|---|---|---|
| Brown-gray blends | Weathered Wood, Sierra Sand | Weathered Wood |
| Charcoal and black | Charcoal, Midnight Mesa | Moire Black, Charcoal Black, Cinder Black |
| Grays | Pewter Gray, Cliffside, Fox Hollow Gray*, Oyster Gray* | Georgetown Gray, Cobblestone Gray, Granite Gray, Pewter, Thunderstorm Gray |
| Browns | Barkwood, Shakewood, Hickory, Mission Brown, Chestnut Valley | Resawn Shake, Burnt Sienna, Black Walnut |
| Slate and blue-gray | Slate, Williamsburg Slate*, Biscayne Blue* | Colonial Slate |
| Green and red | Hunter Green, Patriot Red*, Sunset Brick* | Terra Cotta |
* GAF regional colors, sold only in certain areas. Sierra Sand, Midnight Mesa, Cliffside and Chestnut Valley are GAF's Bold Definition colors, launched January 2026. CertainTeed says Landmark availability varies by region. Always confirm with a physical sample.
Six Steps to Picking a Roof Color
01. Start with what's staying
Brick, stone, siding and the front door set the palette. Hold samples against them, not against a photo of someone else's house.
02. Look at real shingles outside
GAF says screens can show colors differently and recommends shingle samples. Look at them in sun and in overcast light, and from the street, where you'll see the roof most.
03. Confirm it's sold here
Ten of GAF's Timberline HDZ colors are regional, and CertainTeed Landmark availability varies by region. Check before you fall for one.
04. Match the low-slope pieces and vents
Porch and addition roofs can match too: GAF's LIBERTY cap sheet comes in nine colors designed to complement Timberline, and CertainTeed's Flintlastic SA Cap in 11. Box vents look best in a color that blends with the shingles.
05. Check for a historic district
In Grand Rapids, roofing work in a historic district or on a historic landmark needs a Certificate of Appropriateness before it starts. Call the Planning Department at 616.456.4100 to find out whether staff or the Historic Preservation Commission reviews yours.
06. Don't pick a color to fix the attic
ENERGY STAR describes ice dams as snow melted by a too-warm attic that refreezes at the gutters. Air sealing, insulation and ventilation address that. Shingle color doesn't.
See the Colors on Your Own House
Start with a free inspection: we walk the roof, check the attic and the deck, and give you photos and a written estimate. When we replace a roof we correct the attic ventilation too, so the color is the only thing left to decide.
Plan Your Roof ReplacementMore Roofing Resources
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How we replace an asphalt roof, from tear-off to ridge cap.
Learn MoreBest Roof Replacement Companies in Grand Rapids
Our roundup of Grand Rapids roofers for full replacements.
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Grand Rapids roofers for repairs, replacements and storm work.
Learn MoreBest Roof Vents for Michigan Attics
The attic fix that color can't make, compared vent by vent.
Learn MoreBest Roof Colors for Michigan Homes: FAQ
What is the most popular roof color?
For GAF, it's Weathered Wood: GAF says more of its customers choose it than any other shingle color. GAF also lists Charcoal, Pewter Gray, Barkwood and Shakewood among its most popular Timberline HDZ colors.
Is a light-colored roof better for energy in Michigan?
A little in summer, less than you might think over a year. ENERGY STAR says cool roofs save the most in hot, sunny climates. In cold climates there is a winter heating penalty, which LBNL calls typically small and EPA says summer savings typically offset, and LBNL points out that a snow-covered roof is white whatever color is underneath. EPA also says insulation and air sealing reduce the impact, and ENERGY STAR estimates sealing and insulating saves an average of 15% on heating and cooling.
Does roof color cause ice dams?
The cause ENERGY STAR names is a too-warm attic: heat from the house melts snow on the roof, and the water refreezes at the cold gutters. The fix is air sealing, insulation and balanced attic ventilation. We correct the ventilation on every roof we replace.
Do I need approval for a new roof in Heritage Hill?
Yes. Heritage Hill, designated in 1973, is the oldest of Grand Rapids' six multi-resource historic districts, and roofing work in any of them, or on one of the city's 79 historic landmarks, needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. Reroofing is one of the minor classes of work city staff may approve, and staff reviews typically take one to two days; Commission reviews take two to four weeks. The city's guidelines have no approved shingle-color list, but substitute materials must match the historic roof's color, texture and reflectivity, and the application asks for physical samples.
Are shingles still ENERGY STAR certified?
No. EPA ended the ENERGY STAR program for roof products, and brand owners had to stop using the ENERGY STAR name and mark on roof products on and after June 1, 2022. If reflectivity matters to you, ask the manufacturer for the product's solar reflectance, since color alone isn't a reliable guide.
What This Page Cites
- GAF, Timberline HDZ shingles product page and FAQ; GAF Shingle Color Guide, gaf.com.
- GAF blog, Timberline HDZ new colors (January 8, 2026), and GAF press release, "Introducing New Bold Definition Color Collection" (January 8, 2026).
- CertainTeed, Landmark shingles product page (color list) and Landmark page (Solaris granules), certainteed.com.
- CertainTeed, "Max Def Colors: The Ever-Expanding Palette of Landmark PRO Shingles," certainteed.com.
- GAF, LIBERTY System sell sheet; CertainTeed, Flintlastic SA Cap technical data sheet.
- U.S. EPA, ENERGY STAR Roof Products sunset decision memo (2019); Cool Roof Rating Council, "ENERGY STAR Roofing Program Sunsets" (2022).
- ENERGY STAR, Cool Roofs; About Attic Ventilation; Why Seal and Insulate, energystar.gov.
- U.S. EPA, "Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands," epa.gov.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Heat Island Group, Cool Science: Cool Roofs, and About Cool Surfaces.
- Cool Roof Rating Council, resources for home and building owners and end-user FAQs, coolroofs.org.
- U.S. DOE, Energy Saver Cool Roofs guide (2021) and Guidelines for Selecting Cool Roofs (2010).
- City of Grand Rapids, Apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness for an Existing Structure, and Historic Preservation Commission Guidelines (April 2026 edition).