Matching shingles during roof repairs is easier than ever with GAF's shingle color codes. When repairs are necessary, customers expect replacement shingles to blend seamlessly with the existing roof. And for full roof replacements, homeowners expect consistent color across the entire installation.
Shingle color codes are an industry standard that help contractors deliver high-quality results efficiently, eliminating the time-consuming and often unreliable process of visual color matching. Even if a shingle appears to match by eye, failing to use the correct color code can result in subtle variations that detract from the roof's overall appearance.
Understanding GAF's shingle color codes is your key to successful matches and happy homeowners after roof installations and repairs.
What Is a Color Code?
Color codes are used by roofing manufacturers to track production runs and corresponding color information. Because manufacturers often operate multiple plants, shingle color codes ensure each facility uses unique identifiers that define the shingle color, production date, and packaging line for every bundle.
Shingle bundles used on a job must all have the same color code printed on the packaging to ensure that they match. They should also have manufacturing dates that are as close together as possible since temporary asphaltic staining can occur during the storage of new shingles. While this cosmetic issue won't affect shingle performance, it can cause dissatisfaction among homeowners who don't want to wait for it to weather to a uniform appearance.
Deciphering Shingle Color Codes
In the case of new, packaged shingles, contractors can find the color codes printed on the ends of the bundles. On one end of the bundle is a table that contains the color name and color code, followed by the date, time, and package line. It looks like this:
CHARCOAL | DA180B
07-25-2020 | 13:11 B
On the other end of the packaging, the table contains just the color name and code like this: CHARCOAL | DA180B
In the examples above, the color is spelled out for you, but the additional letters and numbers get even more specific. The "DA" could indicate the shingle product line, like Timberline HDZ, and the 180B is the actual charcoal color code.
The date and time on the second row are key to minimizing shading and ensuring color consistency. The letter following the time is the plant identifier. In the example given, the shingles were made in plant B.
When the shingles are not new or in their original packaging, the color codes can be found on the backside of the shingle for proper color identification and matching.
Why Shingle Color Codes Matter
Whether you're performing a repair or a new installation, it's vitally important to be sure the color codes, names, and dates match to avoid shading and other aesthetic issues.
If the roof was installed several years ago, the existing shingles will have experienced weathering, granule loss, and subtle color fading that is a normal part of shingle aging. Because of these natural changes, a visual comparison to identify the color won't work. That is why there is a shingle color code printed on the back of each shingle.
Warranty compliance is another important consideration during repairs. Using the officially documented GAF shingle, which is verified by the correct color code, is typically required to maintain warranty coverage. Installing incorrect shingles or colors can complicate future warranty claims.
How Shingle Color Codes Eliminate Future Headaches
When Repairing Roofs
When a homeowner contacts you for a post-storm inspection or because they're experiencing a leak, the issue can often be fixed by replacing a small number of shingles in the problem area. This is when color matching is really important. While weathering will cause some variations in color, you can get as close as possible by referencing the color name and code that is printed on the backside of the shingle and specifying this information when ordering replacements. Follow these steps to identify the shingle:
Carefully lift one of the existing shingles.
Look for the code that is printed on the back of the shingle, snap a photo for easy reference.
Call your supplier and give them the exact color name and the code.
Ask your supplier to prioritize bundles with the closest possible production date, or at minimum, the same color code.
When Managing Inventory
Keeping popular GAF shingle colors on hand for installations or repairs can help you complete the work in a timely manner, but not paying attention to the color codes can lead to mismatched colors and aesthetic issues for the homeowner.
Never mix shingles from different lots, even if they both have the same color name. If the shingles were manufactured in two different plants, they could have slight color differences due to variations in raw materials or machine settings. Mixing batches can lead to dissatisfied homeowners and costly rework.
Avoid the potential for mismatching by storing your bundles by color code and also by production date. When pulling shingles for a job, always use bundles with matching codes and production dates that are as close together as possible.
Ending the Guessing Game
By using and understanding GAF's shingle color codes, you no longer have to guess or "eyeball it" when trying to match colors. What was once a challenging guessing game has become a simple scientific process.
Apply this knowledge to simplify your next job, and for detailed technical specifications, always consult the official GAF Document Library.
