Charcoal does fade pretty evenly, true, but I've noticed it can sometimes look a bit washed out after a few years, especially if your house gets a lot of direct sun. We went with a medium gray instead—still neutral enough to match most siding colors, but it seems to hold its depth a little better over time. Just something to consider if you're worried about fading...either way, I'm sure it'll turn out great.
We went charcoal about six years ago, and yeah, it's faded a bit. Honestly though, the slight fade doesn't bother me much—still looks decent. If I had to redo it, I'd probably consider something lighter like you did...but no regrets here.
"Honestly though, the slight fade doesn't bother me much—still looks decent."
Same here, we went with a darker shade about eight years ago, and while it's definitely faded a bit, it still holds up visually. I initially worried about fading too, but honestly, the slight weathered look gives it character...or at least that's what I tell myself to avoid thinking about replacement costs anytime soon, haha. If I had to pick again, I'd probably lean toward something lighter to minimize heat absorption and fading visibility. But overall, no major complaints.
I get the appeal of the weathered look, but honestly, from a storm damage perspective, fading can sometimes signal more than just aesthetics. I've seen roofs that looked fine at first glance, but when you get up close, the fading was masking deeper wear—granule loss or weakened shingles. Not saying that's your case, but it's worth keeping an eye on. Personally, I'd prioritize durability and material quality over color alone...though lighter shades do have their perks in hot climates.
Yeah, totally agree with you there. Seen plenty of faded roofs that looked okay until you stepped on 'em—then you notice granules sliding off under your boots. Ever checked your gutters after a heavy rain to see if they're collecting granules? That's usually a solid indicator.
