Cedar

• Natural wood cedar shingles are one of the most common types of shingles used for siding. These shingles feature a warm and inviting natural tone that ranges from gray to yellow, depending upon the species of cedar. Cedar can also be stained with translucent or even solid color stains that are available in several shades. Translucent colors for cedar shingles include red, gray, brown and gray. Solid colors need not assimilate the natural color of the wood and are available in blue, black, green, red, tan, white, gray and even yellow. These stains may require reapplication over time.
  
  

Metal

• Available in several configurations, including shingles, metal is a durable and long-lasting substance that resists rot and age. Although their natural color is a dark and inconsistent silver gray, metal shingles can be painted almost any color in the spectrum. Colors for metal shingles include green, blue, red, gray, slate, white and yellow.
  
  

Vinyl

• Offered by several manufacturers, vinyl is a versatile substance that resists both rot and rust. Unlike other siding and roof shingles that require paint, vinyl shingles can be pigmented during the manufacturing process. This means that vinyl shingle color never needs to be refreshed with a new coat. Vinyl siding and roof shingles are available in gray, black, white, blue, red, green and tan.
  
  

Fiberglass

• Fiberglass-based composite shingles are some of the most common in use. These shingles have the rough texture of sand, and while they are not often used for siding, they make up the left and right sides of an A-frame house, whose roof reaches to the ground. Although these shingles share a characteristic texture, they vary greatly in color, from bright, brick red to light tan, dark brown and gray, and even shades of green. These colors are muted. While dark colors such as black shingles absorb sunlight, shingles in lighter gray, green and tan colors reflect sunlight, reducing the ambient temperature of the home and lowering the utilities bill.