shingle color - moire black or cinder black

Anthony Elarth

last year

last modified: last year

I am replacing my roof and will do Certainteed Landmark Pro shingles.

I need help choosing the shingle color.

I have narrowed it down to:

-- Moire black

-- Cinder black

I would like some contrast from roof to siding. But nothing super stark or creating an odd incongruence.

I am leaning toward Cinder - but I fear it might be too black, too cold, too modern. And it would be like pairing a sharp tuxedo jacket with comfy, gray corduroy pants. Odd!

My concern with Moire is that the roof / siding combination would be a big, gray, almost monotone blob.

I appreciate your opinion and advice!

***

A few notes:

1) the sample board pics are from my front porch; that paint color you see is used on my entire house

2) paint color is BM Raccoon Fur (porch and front of house have 10+ years of southern exposure)

3) I don't see it, but some people see some blue in the Raccoon Fur color. I see (and prefer to see!) dark gray. This is a lower priority for my choice, but I would also like to minimize/prevent the new shingle color from making any blue in the Racoon Fur siding more apparent

4) full house pics are mock-ups from the Certainteed website

5) FWIW, my neighborhood in Seattle is mostly craftsman homes (like mine). A few nearby roofs are Moire black shingles (or same color, different brand). I have yet to see any homes with more of a consistent, dark black (Cinder).

6) my front door is stained a medium brown, and you can see other brown wood/steel elements too (retaining wall, railings on steps and garage deck, etc)

Thx!

Featured Answer

PRO

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

last year

Pick the one that is more uniform in color. Looks to be the Cinder Black. The Moire black is spotty/polka dotty looking and not an attractive look. Not sure why the roofing company designers think that's a good look.

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Comments (15)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
Never select colors from a computer screen. The two blacks look the same.
Anthony Elarth
Original Author
last year
Mark, for sure. And will find a few nearby installs of both shingle colors. That said, do you really think they look the same? Cinder appears more monotone black - Moire more staggered black/gray. Regardless - thx!
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Anthony Elarth
Original Author
last year
Beverly - I see the images you added. Did you have a comment as well? Would love your POV.
Anthony Elarth
Original Author
last year
Diana - thank you! Would love just a brief explanation on why you recommend more uniformity (Cinder). I don’t disagree! Rather, I know I’ll learn something from understanding your rationale. Thx!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
Take the largest samples of the materials you are considering you can find in the colors you are considering to your building site and place them in the position they will be in (vertical for wall material, on an angle up high for roof material, etc). Look at them at different times of the day and follow your gut feeling. People will compliment you on your selection and you will tell them, "Ya, I picked them out myself".
Anthony Elarth
Original Author
last year
Mark, thx once more.
millworkman
last year
As Mark says, get a bundle of each and have the roofer lay them out.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
Anthony, to answer your question, I find the moire black shingles spotty and busy, and it calls too much attention to the roof. I much prefer a uniform color for a roof. That's just my opinion.
Anthony Elarth
Original Author
last year
Diana - thxxxxx. 😌
PRO
Canyon State Roofing & Consulting
last year
Both options offer distinct advantages depending on the aesthetic you’re aiming for. Cinder Black provides a clean, modern contrast that makes the roof a standout feature without overpowering the rest of the design. It pairs well with the warm browns of your door and railings, adding a sophisticated balance. On the other hand, Moire Black leans toward a more traditional, craftsman-inspired look with its textured tones and softer finish. If you’re concerned about the roof blending too much into the siding, Cinder Black is a safe choice for contrast. However, if your goal is a cohesive and timeless design that complements the neighborhood’s style, Moire Black would be ideal.
PRO
Bertram Builders
last year
I like a more uniform shingle color personally. I feel that you will never look at your roof and wish it was more busy but you might wish it wasn’t as busy if you go with a shingle with lots of contrast. Good luck on your project!
Bruce Mac
last year
Anthony Elarth what color did you end up doing? We are down to the same two shingle colors.

We're also repainting our house a different color and have selected Ben Moore Soot.

Roofer has said that rarely does anybody here in our area do Cinder--we're across the water from you. He said it's almost all Moire for black tones, he said.

Curious what you chose and how you like it.
carpenter1969
2 months ago
What did everyone do? I am looking at both of those too.