Charcoal undertones, silvery streaks and ash tints are all the rage for roofscapes across the nation. The dark gray roof movement has found its way into residential complexes and commercial plazas for years, but is it here to stay? To better understand the rise of this architectural motif, we dove into past and present trends to uncover how these elegant and timeless vaults reshaped the exterior design world.
The Farmhouse Effect
Farmhouse-styled lodgings can be traced back to 16th and 17th century European architecture. Since then, this approach has popularized high-contrast schemes with minimalistic touches, natural materials and open-space outdoor living areas. Easily identified by milky bases with barnboard details and siding panels, the Contemporary and Modern Farmhouse standard has propelled dark gray roofs into vogue status. Slate-colored crowns and smoky roof tiles allow for a touch of contrast and boldness against these neutral façades for those interested in a safe nudge toward bolder schemes.
Although the Farmhouse craze has slightly dwindled over the years, it has opened new horizons across architectural styles. For so long, barrels adorned the coverings of Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes, while flat profiles blanketed Bungalows and Craftsman adobes with little crossovers. In response to the popularization of dark gray roofs and the country-chic aesthetic, modern flair and fresh decorative elements have made their way to Contemporary and Modern homesteads. In addition to an easily recognizable covering, bay windows, veranda porches and dormers are expanding the limits of traditional architecture to appeal to a variety of tastes and palettes while maintaining rustic and vintage influence.
Modern Color Trends
Trends that once lined developments with bright pastels have now evolved into monochromatic networks of domiciles. As the years go on and tastes change, Eagle has witnessed firsthand the spike in the high-contrast roof and subtle exterior paint pairing. For instance, our 4595 Dark Charcoal in Bel Air has become a top seller famous for its rich ink hues and graphite shading for those searching for a bold, yet simultaneously calm approach to design. Its deep tints effortlessly lure in onlookers and captivate the attention of lovers of pristine and elegant roofscapes. Often paired with chalky bodies as seen in the featured image, present-day installations have opted for color-blocking techniques to allow other accent colors, decorative pieces, textures and landscaping to take the spotlight.
If the intensity of Dark Charcoal isn’t your vibe, we offer a variety of timeless variations of the ever-popular dark gray roof to suit your taste.
For a slightly lighter, equally versatile roofscape, opt for 2503 Sierra Madre* in Malibu. Whether your structure mirrors the recognizable characteristics of Mediterranean and Spanish homes or leans toward a mixture of silhouettes with a Transitional build, this tile’s soft, ashy curves add extra oomph.
If you like the earthy appeal of wood shake but are looking for a durable Eagle concrete tile roof to withstand the elements, explore the beauty of 5699 Charcoal Range* in Ponderosa for a textured roofscape that will graciously enhance the appearances of both eccentric, bold schemes and soft, minimalist palettes.
Regardless of where you stand in the dark gray roof movement, Eagle offers simple and elegant solutions that will shine long after trends have faded.
To achieve your dream exterior, browse our selection of extravagant tiles on our website and request a sample today!
*Profile and color availability may vary by region.
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