Roof Painting: Everything to Know About Painting Your Home’s Roof

Your neighbor just installed a new roof, and their home looks great. The only problem? Now your roof, which you replaced several years ago, looks a little dull. What if you could give it a fresh coat of paint as you would with your home’s siding? Great news—you can.

Before you head to the home improvement store for paint and roller brushes, find out everything you need to know about roof painting and changing your roof’s color.

Can You Paint a Roof?

You can paint a roof, but it’s not always the best solution. Maybe you want to give your home a makeover without paying the cost of a new roof, or you’re hoping to reduce your energy bills with a bright roof paint that absorbs fewer UV rays. In these cases, painting a roof can be a worthwhile project.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to choose a paint that works for your specific roof type, and you’ll need to work carefully to prevent the paint from trapping moisture and becoming a hub for mold. Also, painting a roof isn’t a replacement for making repairs. You’ll need first to inspect your roof and repair any damage to properly prep the surface for roof paint.

Best Types of Paint for Different Roof Materials

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Different paints will work best for different roofing materials; some are better suited to roof paint than others. In general, acrylic paint tends to be best for any roof material—except terracotta. 

Metal

If you want to paint a metal roof, you’ll want to start with a primer containing a titanium dioxide base, which will better protect the metal from the elements. For paint, opt for acrylic latex paints or oil-based alkyd paints, and make sure the label states the product is suitable for metal roofs. Follow up with a silicone, butyl, or polyurethane sealant to make the paint last longer against sunlight, rain, and changing temperatures.

Asphalt

You can paint asphalt roof shingles with 100% acrylic latex paint, and make sure it is formulated for asphalt shingles. This type of paint will adhere best to the asphalt. For asphalt shingles, applying via an exterior acrylic paint spray can offer the smoothest coating rather than a brush.

Concrete

For concrete roof tiles, you’ll also want to use acrylic paint made specifically for concrete roofs. Acrylic paint will bond best with concrete roof tiles. Because concrete is porous, you may need more layers of paint and a roof sealant for the best results.

Wood

Acrylic paint is also a top choice for wood roofs, but you can only paint wood roofs if they aren’t already stained. Wood stains will prevent the paint from sticking to the roof. Don’t skip the primer, since wood quickly absorbs paint. Be sure to seal the wood after painting to help the paint last longer.

Terra Cotta

Terra cotta is not a material suitable for paint. You can’t paint terra cotta roof tiles because they are glazed, so paint cannot properly adhere to the surface of this material. Fortunately, terra cotta roofs are durable and long-lasting, so they shouldn’t need upgrades very often anyway. If your terra cotta roof is looking worn out, consider repairing or replacing rather than painting it.

Best Colors to Paint a Roof

When you walk around your neighborhood, you probably aren’t seeing any lime green or lilac roofs. Natural tones are usually the best colors for roofs, because they complement the landscape and will match any siding colors. 

If you’re trying to decide on a color for your roof paint, opt for shades of brown, gray, or black. If you want to make a statement, some red tones will work especially well for white or beige homes.

How Long Does Roof Paint Last?

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Roof paints typically last 10 to 15 years with professional application and proper prep work, like making repairs and power washing the roof before applying primer, paint, and sealant. For some materials, like asphalt shingles, the paint may need to be reapplied more often, about every seven years. In comparison, roof coatings will last about 10 to 20 years.

Benefits of Painting a Roof

There are several reasons a homeowner might consider painting a roof. It may give the home’s curb appeal a little boost, but it can also give the roof a new lease on life and even lead to some savings on monthly utility bills.

New Look for Less

One of the most common reasons to paint a roof is to give a home a new look at a lower cost than replacing the whole roof. It costs about $1.25 to $3 per square foot to paint a roof, while installing a new roof costs about $4.35 to $11 per square foot.

Extended Life

If you prepare the roof correctly and use the right type of paint for your roof material, paint and sealant can better protect roof shingles or tiles against the elements. This may help extend the lifespan of your roof.

ROI

While painting a roof doesn’t have quite the same impact as replacing the roof, which has about a 60% ROI, a new coat of paint can make the home look better and may positively impact the value of your home.

UV Protection

Some paints, like a bright white exterior, can improve the roof’s resilience against UV rays. That means a roof that absorbs less heat, keeping you from cranking up the AC when the outdoor temperatures are soaring and saving you a little money on your utility bills.

Roof Paint vs. Roof Coating

Roof paint and roof coating are not the same thing. Roof paints change the color of the roof, while roof coatings offer additional benefits such as waterproofing. Roof coatings are often used to protect against leaks and even pests.

Roof coatings are about 10 to 20 times thicker than an application of roof paint. In terms of cost, painting a roof is around $1.25 to $3 per square foot, while roof coating costs about $0.65 to $5 per square foot.

Roof Painting Cost Breakdown

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Painting a roof costs around $1.25 to $3 per square foot, leading to serious cost savings compared to replacing a roof.

Materials

Roof paint costs about $25 to $50 per gallon, which will cover around 100 square feet. Sealant is an additional $10 to $40 per gallon. If you don’t already have a paint sprayer, you’ll need to rent one for about $100 per day.

Before adding primer, paint, or sealant, you’ll need to wash the roof, which adds $0.50 to $1 per square foot. And if your roof isn’t in great shape, expect to spend about $1,050 for roof repair costs before you add any paint.

Labor

A roof painting professional typically charges about $50 to $100 per hour. Hiring a professional may save you money, since they can offer better deals on paint and already have equipment like sprayers and power washers available.

Time

Time is money, so whether you’re planning to hire roof painters or paint the roof yourself, you’ll want to consider how long this project will take. It takes anywhere from a day to a week to paint a roof, depending on the size and condition of the roof. You may need to spend more time removing old paint or rust and cleaning the roof before you can start painting.

Watch the weather reports to find a span of time that will be dry and not too hot or cold to complete this project.

DIY Roof Painting vs. Hiring a Professional

Any project that involves climbing onto the roof of a house can be dangerous for beginner and even intermediate DIYers. You should only attempt painting a roof if you’re skilled at DIY projects or have experience in roofing. If you decide to take on roof painting yourself, you’ll save money on professional labor fees—between $50 and $100 per hour, which could add up to $1,000 or more in savings. You’ll just have to pay for the materials and any tools you may need.

Who to Hire to Paint a Roof

You can hire a roofer or a professional painter to paint your roof. Suppose you aren’t comfortable taking on roof painting as a DIY project. In that case, it’s best to call a roofing professional or a company specializing specifically in roof painting to handle the job for you. They have the experience, tools, and skills to tackle the project—and they can usually snag paint at a discounted price.