When replacing wood shingles, be
sure to match the existing color
as closely as possible.

About this Project

As wood shingles age, they gradually weather to a darker color than new replacement shingles. Consequently, new shingles you use to repair your roof may stand out dramatically for several years before their color matches the older shingles. If your repair is in a quite visible area of the roof, try to repair the existing shingles using the technique illustrated here so that your repair job doesn't noticeably stand out.

If you must buy new shingles, make sure to buy the best. Shingles are rated in grades from one to four, with one being the best. Grade one shingles, sometimes identified by the color blue, are composed entirely from heartwood. Heartwood contains oils and tannic acid that make the wood resistant to insects and to fungi and will last far longer than shingles made from sapwood.