Table of Contents
- Best Roof Colors for Brick Houses in 2026
- 1. GAF Charcoal Shingles: The Top Choice for 2026
- 2. Owens Corning Evergreen Mist: The Trending Green Option
- 3. Weathered Wood Shingle Blends: Warm and Rustic
- 4. Driftwood Gray Blends: Soft Neutrals for Cool Brick Tones
- 5. Matte Black Roofing: Modern and Dramatic
- 6. Brownwood Shingles: Classic Warmth for Red Brick
- How to Match Roof Shingles with Brick
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 3, 2026
Best Roof Colors for Brick Houses in 2026
Choosing the right roof color for a brick house isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s one of the most visible decisions you’ll make for your home’s curb appeal and long-term durability.
At DGK Home Solutions, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond select roofing materials that complement their brick exteriors. With over 20 years of experience in residential roofing, we understand how color choices affect both the appearance of your home and its energy efficiency.
This guide covers the top roof colors trending for brick homes in 2026, how to match shingles with your specific brick tone, and what matters most when making your selection.
Quick Comparison of Top Roof Colors
| Roof Color | Best For | Key Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAF Charcoal | Traditional & modern brick | Versatile, high-contrast | Absorbs more heat |
| Owens Corning Evergreen Mist | Trend-forward homeowners | 2026 color of the year | May polarize resale appeal |
| Weathered Wood Blends | Earthy-toned brick | Hides dirt well | Less dramatic contrast |
| Driftwood Gray | Cool-toned brick | Timeless, neutral | May clash with warm brick |
| Matte Black | Modern brick homes | Striking, contemporary | Significant heat absorption |
| Brownwood | Red brick homes | Warm, cohesive look | Can appear dated on modern homes |
1. GAF Charcoal Shingles: The Top Choice for 2026
GAF Charcoal shingles remain the most popular roof color for brick homes heading into 2026. This deep gray-black finish delivers high contrast that works with nearly every brick tone, from warm red to cool tan to multi-colored blends.
What makes charcoal the top choice is its versatility. Whether your brick leans warm or cool, charcoal creates visual definition without clashing. The advanced color blending technology in GAF’s formulation prevents the flat, one-dimensional look that older black shingles could have.
For homeowners in Liberty Twp and surrounding areas, charcoal shingles also age gracefully. They hide weathering and debris better than lighter colors, meaning your roof maintains a polished appearance longer between cleanings.
The one honest limitation: charcoal absorbs more solar heat than lighter colors, which can slightly increase cooling costs in summer months. If energy efficiency is your primary concern, this matters. If visual impact and durability matter more, the tradeoff is worth it.
Charcoal shingles photograph better than any other color. If you’re selling your home in Liberty Twp within the next few years, this color choice will look sharp in listing photos and in-person showings.
2. Owens Corning Evergreen Mist: The Trending Green Option
Owens Corning designated Evergreen Mist as the official 2026 Shingle Color of the Year, and for good reason (2026 Shingle Color of the Year | Evergreen Mist). This nature-inspired green tone represents a genuine shift toward earthy, sustainable aesthetics in residential design.
Evergreen Mist works best on brick homes with neutral or cool undertones. The green hue complements tan, gray, and multi-colored brick beautifully. If your brick runs warm and orange-red, this color can feel disconnected, test samples on your actual home before committing.
What sets this color apart is its uniqueness. Most neighborhoods feature rows of charcoal, gray, and brown roofs. Evergreen Mist signals that you’ve made a deliberate, design-forward choice.
The honest reality: green roofs remain polarizing in the resale market. Some buyers love the contemporary feel; others see it as a trend that will feel dated in five years. If you’re planning to stay in your home long-term, this doesn’t matter.
3. Weathered Wood Shingle Blends: Warm and Rustic
Weathered Wood blends combine multiple brown and gray tones in a single shingle, creating a natural, textured appearance that mimics aged wood or weathered timber. This multi-tonal approach adds visual depth that solid colors can’t match.
These shingles excel on brick homes with earthy, warm undertones, particularly homes with tan, beige, or mixed-color brick. The blend of warm and cool tones in the shingle palette harmonizes with the complexity of multi-colored brick facades.
One real advantage: these shingles hide dirt, debris, and weathering exceptionally well. The varied tones mean that algae staining, moss growth, and accumulated grime are less visible than they would be on a solid charcoal or gray roof.
The tradeoff is contrast. Weathered wood blends create a softer, more cohesive look rather than the dramatic definition that charcoal delivers. If you want your roof to stand out as a distinct architectural element, this color choice is less striking.
4. Driftwood Gray Blends: Soft Neutrals for Cool Brick Tones
Driftwood Gray represents a middle ground between stark black and warm brown, a sophisticated gray blend that works particularly well with cool-toned brick. If your brick has gray undertones, blue-gray hues, or a weathered appearance, driftwood gray creates seamless visual harmony.
This color has staying power. Unlike trendy options that feel dated within a decade, driftwood gray reads as timeless and professional. It’s the choice homeowners make when they want a polished, refined appearance without drawing attention.
The architectural profile of driftwood gray shingles adds texture and shadow lines, making your roof visually interesting from street level. The weather-resistant coating ensures the color holds up to UV exposure and harsh seasonal changes, important for homes in Ohio’s variable climate.
Where driftwood gray falls short: it can clash with very warm, orange-red brick. If your home’s brick has significant warmth, this cool-toned roof may feel disconnected. Always request color samples and view them on your actual home before making a final decision.
Driftwood gray requires careful matching with your mortar color. If your mortar is warm-toned and your brick is cool, a gray roof can make the entire facade feel disjointed. Test samples in natural daylight at different times of day.
5. Matte Black Roofing: Modern and Dramatic
Matte black represents the boldest choice on this list. The non-reflective finish creates a striking, high-contrast look that reads as decidedly contemporary and upscale. If your brick home has been modernized with black window frames, black doors, or black metal accents, matte black roofing completes the aesthetic.
This color is extremely trendy for 2026, particularly among homeowners renovating older brick structures into modern living spaces. The dramatic impact is undeniable, matte black roofs photograph beautifully and command attention in a way that gray or brown never will.
The practical reality: matte black absorbs significant heat in summer months. In the Greater Cincinnati area, this can meaningfully increase cooling costs during July and August.
Matte black also requires regular maintenance. Dust, pollen, and weathering show more readily on dark finishes. Plan on having your roof cleaned or inspected more frequently than you would with gray or brown options.
6. Brownwood Shingles: Classic Warmth for Red Brick
Brownwood shingles deliver a rich, deep brown tone specifically designed to harmonize with red and warm-toned brick. If your home features traditional red brick, brownwood creates a cohesive, established appearance that feels intentional rather than accidental.
The warmth of brownwood complements the warmth of red brick in a way that charcoal or gray cannot. The enhanced shadow lines in brownwood shingles add architectural interest and depth. Strong wind resistance makes these shingles practical for Ohio’s seasonal storms and variable weather patterns.
For historic brick homes in older Liberty Twp neighborhoods, brownwood maintains the character of the original architecture while providing modern durability. The color choice signals respect for the home’s heritage without feeling outdated.
The honest limitation: brownwood can look dated on homes that have been modernized or updated with contemporary design elements. If your brick home features modern additions, updated landscaping, or contemporary fixtures, brownwood may feel like it belongs to a different era.
Brownwood is the clear choice if your primary goal is visual harmony with red brick and you’re committed to maintaining a traditional home aesthetic. For any other brick tone or design direction, consider alternatives.
How to Match Roof Shingles with Brick
Matching roof shingles with brick requires understanding your brick’s undertone, considering your home’s overall architectural style, and evaluating how the roof color will age over time.
Step 1: Identify Your Brick’s Undertone
Brick color is more complex than “red” or “tan.” Look closely at your brick in natural daylight.
Warm brick pairs naturally with charcoal, brownwood, weathered wood blends, and warm gray tones. Cool brick harmonizes with driftwood gray, matte black, and cool-toned blends.
Step 2: Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style
A contemporary brick home with clean lines and modern fixtures calls for different roof colors than a colonial-era brick home with traditional details. Charcoal works everywhere.
Step 3: Request Actual Samples
Never choose a roof color from a small swatch or digital image.
Step 4: Evaluate Long-Term Durability and Maintenance
Lighter colors (driftwood gray, weathered wood blends) hide dirt and weathering better than dark colors (matte black, charcoal). Darker colors absorb more heat but create more visual impact.
Step 5: Factor in Resale Value
If you’re planning to sell within the next five years, charcoal or driftwood gray are the safest choices.
Selecting the right roof color for your brick home is a decision that affects your home’s appearance for 15-20 years. When you’re ready to move forward with a roof replacement or upgrade, DGK Home Solutions provides expert guidance on color selection, honest assessments of your current roofing condition, and professional installation with top-quality materials. Contact us for a free quote and let our team help you select the perfect roof color for your brick home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What roof color looks best with red brick?
Charcoal, dark gray, and deep brown shingles create the strongest contrast and visual appeal with red brick. Charcoal shingles are the most popular choice for 2026, offering high contrast that makes red brick stand out. Brownwood shingles provide a warmer, more cohesive look by harmonizing with the red tones. For lighter or tan brick, weathered wood blends or driftwood gray work exceptionally well. The key is choosing colors that either complement or contrast intentionally, avoid colors that muddy the brick’s natural warmth.
How do I choose the right shingle color for my home’s exterior?
Start by evaluating your brick undertones: warm reds and tans pair best with browns and weathered blends, while cooler brick tones work with grays and charcoal. Consider your mortar color, it should complement rather than clash with your roof choice. Think about your home’s architectural style: traditional homes suit slate-inspired or brown shingles, while modern brick homes can pull off matte black or green. Finally, assess your local climate and energy goals. Lighter colors reflect heat and reduce cooling costs, while darker colors absorb warmth. Visit the DGK Home Solutions website for a free quote and professional assessment of your specific brick and architectural style.
Does a black roof look good on a brick house?
Yes, black roofs are extremely popular for brick homes in 2026. Charcoal and matte black shingles create dramatic, high-contrast curb appeal that works especially well with red or warm-toned brick. However, black roofs absorb more heat in summer months, which can increase cooling costs in warmer climates. Matte black offers a modern, non-reflective finish that’s trendy but requires careful consideration of energy efficiency. If you love the black aesthetic but worry about heat absorption, charcoal gray provides similar visual impact with slightly better heat reflection. Professional installers like DGK Home Solutions can help you weigh style against energy performance.
What are the trending roof shingle colors for 2026?
The top trending colors for 2026 are charcoal shingles, which remain the most popular choice across all brick home styles, and Owens Corning Evergreen Mist, the official 2026 Shingle Color of the Year. This nature-inspired green offers a fresh, modern alternative for homeowners seeking something beyond traditional grays and blacks. Matte black roofing is also gaining momentum for its bold, high-end aesthetic. Weathered wood blends continue to appeal to homeowners wanting rustic charm, while driftwood gray offers a softer, more neutral option. These trending colors balance curb appeal with durability and compatibility with common brick tones.
Should the roof color match the mortar or the brick?
Generally, coordinate with the brick color rather than the mortar, but consider both. Dark brick tones pair best with charcoal, gray, or black shingles. Warm, red brick works beautifully with brown or weathered blends. If your mortar is light gray or white, a darker roof creates clean visual separation. If mortar is dark, ensure your roof color doesn’t blend too much, you want definition between roof and walls. The safest approach is to photograph your brick and mortar samples in natural daylight and compare them against shingle samples. DGK Home Solutions offers honest assessments of color compatibility during consultations.