How to Pick the Right Shingles for your Kitchener Roof
When picking what shingles to buy, you’re making two decisions:
- What type of shingle you want
- What shingle colour you want
Both choices affect not just your home’s appearance, but also its resale value, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. Moreover, some shingles are more costly than others. When choosing, it’s important to balance costs, consider the pros and cons of each shingle option, and consider what works best for the area and for your roof.
Popular Asphalt Shingle Types in Kitchener: Pros & Cons
There are three main types of shingles to choose from:
3-tab shingles
3-tab shingles are the most common type of shingle type you’ll see in Kitchener, they’re the traditional, classic choice. They’re also the cheapest option.
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- Pros
- Affordable.
- Uniform look that fits well on many home styles.
- Easy to install and replace.
- Cons
- Shortest lifespan out of all shingle types.
- More prone to weather damage.
- Has a flat appearance compared to other shingle types.
- Pros
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Architectural shingles
Architectural shingles are significantly thicker and give the roof a three dimensional appearance. In Kitchener, these shingles have grown in popularity because of their extra weather resistance. Additionally, being thicker means they’re also more durable, and have a longer lifespan than 3-tab.
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- Pros
- Three-dimensional appearance.
- Longer lifespan (usually 25–30+ years).
- Thicker and more durable than 3-tab shingles.
- Better weather-resistance than 3-tab shingles.
- Cons
- More expensive than 3-tab shingles.
- Heavier, which can increase installation time and may not be viable if your home has a weak frame.
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Luxury shingles
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- Luxury shingles are the most expensive option, but it’s for good reason. They are thicker, heavier, with more weather resistance than 3-tab or architectural shingles. They can bring a nice boost to your home’s curb appeal, but are more uncommon in Kitchener than 3-tab or architectural shingles.
- Pros
- Best-looking shingle, appearance mimics slate or cedar shake.
- Extremely durable with lifespans of 40–50+ years.
- Best weather and impact resistance you can get from a shingle.
- Con
- The most expensive shingle option.
- Not a great option if upgrading for resale.
- Heavier, might require structural reinforcement.
- May not be viable for homes with weak framing.
- Pros
- Luxury shingles are the most expensive option, but it’s for good reason. They are thicker, heavier, with more weather resistance than 3-tab or architectural shingles. They can bring a nice boost to your home’s curb appeal, but are more uncommon in Kitchener than 3-tab or architectural shingles.
Considering more premium shingle options? We offer a free roof inspection and estimate for a replacement. We can let you know whether your home’s structure is viable for heavier, premium shingle types like architectural shingles and luxury shingles.
Popular Shingle Colours in Kitchener: Pros & Cons
Your roof accounts for up to 40% of your home’s visual exterior, so colour choice matters. Here’s a look at some of the most popular shingle colours in Kitchener and what to know before you commit:
Charcoal
- Popularity in Kitchener: ★★★★★ (Most Popular)
- Best for: Modern homes, white brick or light grey stone exteriors
Charcoal shingles are sleek, dramatic, and give your home a clean, high-contrast look. It looks best in combination with lighter home walls for a strong contrast. For darker wall homes, it can make your home look dark, dreary, and unwelcoming.
Curb Appeal Tip: Charcoal looks especially sharp when paired with black window frames or contemporary architectural styles.
- Pros
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- Pair well with most siding materials.
- Hide stains or moss growth.
- Absorb more heat during the winter, a great feature for Kitchener locals.
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- Cons
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- Also absorbs more heat during the summer.
- Not a great choice for homes with dark siding — works best in high contrast applications.
Pewter Gray
Popularity in Kitchener: ★★★★☆
Best For: Neutral or stone-faced homes
Pewter Gray is a classic mid-tone that fits virtually any home design. It’s a safe, versatile colour often chosen by homeowners who plan to sell within a few years. It looks polished year-round, even against Kitchener’s snowy winters.
Curb Appeal Tip: Add visual contrast with white trim or black shutters for a clean, elegant finish.
- Pros
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- Highly versatile.
- “Can’t go wrong” choice.
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- Cons
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- Can appear flat on homes that already have grey siding or darker tones.
Weathered Wood
Popularity in Kitchener: ★★★★★
Best For: Traditional, country-style homes
Weathered Wood shingles have a rich, natural blend of browns, tans, and greys. They are designed to mimic the texture of real wood while maintaining the durability of asphalt.
Curb Appeal Tip: Weathered wood pairs beautifully with beige or tan siding and natural stonework.
- Pros
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- Perfect for rural and suburban Kitchener neighbourhoods.
- A great choice for homes with a lot of gardens, trees, and other greenery.
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- Cons
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- Can make your home blend in rather than stand out.
- Can be considered the “boring” choice.
Golden Amber
Popularity in Kitchener: ★★★☆☆
Best For: Warm-toned homes or rustic designs
Golden Amber is a stand-out option which brings warmth and energy to your exterior. It works great with neutral tones and surroundings, like light stucco, cream, or wood-toned siding.
Curb Appeal Tip: Golden Amber looks best in full sunlight
- Pros
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- Ideal for homes with open lots or south-facing roofs.
- Adds personality to your roofline.
- Can make your home stand out on a street of greys and neutrals.
- Cons
- Not great for those wanting their home to match with the average Kitchener neighbourhood.
- If planning to resell, bolder tones like amber may not appeal to every buyer
Unique Shingle Colour Options
Now that we’ve gone through the most popular options, let’s explore some of the more unique, alternative shingle colours available on the market with tips on when to use them. These shingle colours are very uncommon and striking, helping you stick out from other homes on the block.
Hunter Green
Hunter green shingles give off a serene, earthy feel and pair, pairing excellently with natural wood siding. Beige or cream siding also complements the bold green colour well. It works best for homes with heavy landscaping and forested surroundings.
Keep in mind that green shingles can be harder to match with future exterior updates. They also tend to fade more noticeably than other options.
Biscayne Blue
On the complete other end of the spectrum is Biscayne Blue. This subtle blue colour is incredibly rare and not often seen in Kitchener neighbourhoods, making it a bold but safer choice compared to other bright shingle colours. The blue contrasts beautifully with light siding colours and looks clean even after heavy rainfall.
It can capture a coastal-inspired look similar to the home architecture styles found in regions of Atlantic Canada like Nova Scotia and PEI.
Patriot Red
Patriot Red shingles make a statement. Warm, charming, and nostalgic — you’ll find it hard to find a roof colour like this anywhere in Kitchener. It looks great when paired with white or black trim and highlights architectural details like gables or dormers. However, it won’t work with every home style and can limit colour palette choices for other parts of your home’s exterior.
This style works best when used as a design focal point. Making equally bold colour choices in other areas of your exterior (siding, gutters.etc) can make the overall design clash and look all over the place
Multi-Coloured Shingles: Cedar Falls & Golden Harvest
While these colours ended up on the unique list, they’re probably the least “out there” of this bunch.
What makes our Cedar Falls and Golden Harvest shingles stick out is that it’s not all just one colour like you’d expect. The multi-toned variations mimic the depth of real wood shakes, and go completely against the uniform look you’re used to from shingles.
It looks great when you keep the rest of your home’s exterior a solid colour, making the multi-tone roof a clear highlight. It’s also less bold and less limiting than the previous unique colour choices. But it may clash with heavily patterned siding or stonework.
Browse Our Most Popular Shingles in Kitchener
Timberline HDZ, UHDZ, NS, RS, CS.etc
- North America’s #1 Selling Shingle.
- Many durability, colour, and design options available.
Slateline
- A classic, affordable option that comes in basic colours such as light grey, dark grey, and brown.
Grand Sequoia RS, AS.etc
- Interesting geometric patterns that add dimension and follow a luxury shingle style.
- Many colour and design options available.
Marquis WeatherMax
- Affordable, clean-looking 3-tab style that comes in black and brown colours.
Royal Sovereign
- Another 3-tab option with a more diverse colour palette.
How to See What Your Roof Would Look Like Before Choosing Your Shingles
We understand that choosing a shingle colour and type is a hard decision, which is why we offer an easy-to-use roof visualizer and virtual remodeler tool. Try it today!
How to Use Our Virtual Roof Design Tool
- Upload a picture of your own home or choose a pre-made home templates that closely resembles it.
- Choose from our entire catalog of roof shingles for a preview of what they’d look like on your home.
- Customize your wall surface and siding, choosing from brick, paint, and classic siding options.
- Customize your house trim, window trim, front door, and garage doors.
- Make a note of your choices to show our roofers!
Already know what you want? Book a Free Roof Inspection and Estimate with a Kitchener Contractor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have lighter or darker shingles?
Both lighter and darker shingles can work, it depends on a number of factors which one would be better.
Consider:
- The colour of your home’s exterior walls
- Darker shingles work best with lighter exterior walls and dark accents.
- Lighter shingles work best with darker siding or brick.
- Your local area
- Lighter shingles help your attic stay cool, which is great for humid settings or homes that get a lot of direct sunlight.
- Darker shingles trap more heat, which can help reduce snow buildup in the winter.
- Architectural style
- Traditional and heritage-style homes look best with medium to dark tones like Charcoal or Weathered Wood.
- Modern and coastal-inspired homes pair nicely with light greys, soft browns, or blended shingles.
- Your neighbourhood
- What do your neighbours’ roofs look like? If their roofs are darker, a lighter roof would make you stick out like a sore thumb. Do you want to stand-out or match with the other homes in your neighbourhood?
Should the roof be darker or lighter than the house?
As a general rule, your roof should contrast with your home’s exterior. This means that a home with lighter siding would look best with a darker roof, and a home with dark siding would look best with a lighter roof.
That being said, monochromatic homes (where the roof and siding colour are the same or similar shades) are also coming into style. It’s ultimately up to preference.
How to match shingles to your house?
To match shingles to your house, choose a colour that complements your home’s siding, brick, or stone.
- Brick homes: Work best with neutral colours like Weathered Wood or Golden Harvest.
- Vinyl siding: Try Pewter Gray or Charcoal for enhanced contrast.
- Stone or mixed exteriors: Choose shingles that pick up one of the accent tones in your stonework for a smooth transition.
In Kitchener, medium-toned shingles are the most practical. They hide dirt and keep your roof looking clean through rain, snow, and sun.
Are black shingles a bad idea?
No, black shingles are definitely not a bad idea. They’re one of the most popular choices for modern homes in Kitchener, giving off a clean, sleek look. They pair well with just about any home exterior.