Best Roof Color for a Red Brick House

This one’s a mystery worth solving: why do so many red brick houses in Maple Grove have the wrong roof color? You see it everywhere — beautiful red brick architecture undermined by a roof color choice that fights the brick rather than complementing it. Sometimes the homeowner picked it. Sometimes a builder defaulted to it. Sometimes a previous owner made a quick decision without thinking through the relationship.

The good news: when red brick is paired with the right roof color, the curb appeal multiplier is enormous. Red brick is one of the most timeless residential materials, and the right roof makes it look intentional, classic, and high-value. The wrong roof makes the same house look dated and busy.

This guide is the detective’s breakdown of what’s actually working on red brick homes in Maple Grove — and what to avoid.

Why Red Brick Is Harder to Pair Than Most People Realize

The challenge with red brick is that “red brick” isn’t one color. It’s a range from:

• Light red/orange-red brick. Common in 1950s-60s ramblers. Reads warm and slightly orange.
• Medium red brick. The classic “red brick house” color. Most common in Maple Grove established neighborhoods.
• Deep red brick / wine-red brick. Common in colonial-style homes. Reads richer, more formal.
• Variegated red brick. Mix of red, brown, and tan tones. The hardest to pair because there’s no single dominant color.

Each of these reads differently against different roof colors. A roof that works beautifully on one might fight against another.

The Roof Colors That Actually Work on Red Brick

Best Choice: Charcoal Gray / Dark Slate Gray

The strongest pairing for most red brick homes. Charcoal creates contrast without competing with the brick — the brick stays the focal point while the roof grounds the house visually.

Why it works: Charcoal is neutral enough to let the brick lead. Slight blue undertones in charcoal balance the warm tones in red brick.

Best for: All red brick variants. Most reliable choice.

Strong Second: Dark Brown / Weathered Wood

Brown shingles in deeper tones (weathered wood, antique brown, driftwood with brown undertones) pair beautifully with red brick. Especially good on traditional colonial or craftsman homes.

Why it works: The warm-on-warm pairing creates harmony rather than contrast. The roof picks up the warmth of the brick.

Best for: Traditional architecture, deep red brick, variegated red-brown brick.

Strong Third: Black or Near-Black

For modern interpretations of red brick architecture, black or very dark charcoal shingles create dramatic, intentional contrast. The brick reads as a statement against a clean dark roof.

Why it works: High-contrast pairing reads as intentional design choice rather than accidental coordination.

Best for: Modern or transitional architecture. Architecturally bold homes.

Acceptable: Medium Gray / Pewter

Pewter and medium grays work but with less impact than charcoal. They’re safe rather than striking.

Why it works: Doesn’t fight the brick; doesn’t enhance it either.

Best for: Owners who want neutral, low-statement choice.

Roof Colors to Avoid on Red Brick Houses

Light Gray

Light gray fights red brick — it pulls the brick toward looking pink, and the overall house reads “color-blocked” rather than coordinated. Skip unless the architectural style is very specific.

Brown that’s Too Warm or Orange-Tinted

Brown shingles with strong orange undertones clash with red brick. The two warm colors compete rather than complement.

Green Shingles

Especially saturated greens. Even though red and green are technically complementary on the color wheel, in architectural application they create a holiday-themed look that ages poorly.

Bright Blue or Slate Blue

Cool blues against warm red brick read as cold and uncomfortable. The contrast is too high.

White or Very Light Beige

The contrast is too stark; the roof disappears or competes with the brick depending on lighting. Almost always looks awkward.

Red Brick + Roof Color Comparison

The Trim Color Question (Often Forgotten)

Roof and brick aren’t the only colors in the picture. Trim color completes the composition. Common winning trim choices for red brick + roof combinations:

• Charcoal roof + red brick: White or off-white trim. Sometimes black trim for modern interpretations.
• Dark brown roof + red brick: Cream, soft white, or matching brown trim. Avoid stark white.
• Black roof + red brick: White trim for contrast, or matching black trim for modern minimalism.
• Pewter roof + red brick: White or warm gray trim.

Specific Maple Grove Examples

Drive any established Maple Grove neighborhood with red brick homes and you’ll see the patterns:

• Successful pairings: Most often charcoal or dark brown roofs. Homes look intentional and timeless.
• Mediocre pairings: Light gray or beige roofs. Homes look “fine” but never striking.
• Problematic pairings: Green or blue roofs. Homes look dated regardless of how recent the install was.

What Matters for the Final Decision

1. Test samples on the actual house. Color reads differently on a vertical surface in real sunlight than on a sample card in a sales office.
2. View at different times of day. Morning vs midday vs evening light shifts how colors interact.
3. Consider neighboring houses. If three of the four houses around you have charcoal roofs, your charcoal roof reads as appropriate context. If yours would be the only dark roof on the block, double-check the choice.
4. Think 20 years out. Will this color choice still look right in 2046? Charcoal and dark brown will. Trend-forward color choices might not.
5. Match trim and gutters intentionally. The whole exterior is one composition.

The Practical Recommendation

If you have a red brick Maple Grove home and you want a roof that will look right today and still look right in 20 years: charcoal architectural shingles in Class 4 impact-resistant. It’s the most reliable answer for your house, your neighborhood, and your long-term value. The look is timeless; the performance is excellent for Minnesota’s climate; and it photographs well for whenever you do sell.

If you want to consider alternatives, dark brown or near-black are the strong alternatives. Skip everything else unless your architecture style specifically calls for it and you’ve tested samples on the house.

Related reading

• Best siding colors for resale value
• Best roofing shingles for Minnesota homes
• Maple Grove roofing contractor — full guide