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Most people would agree that food, clothing and a roof over your head are basic needs. We’re two out of three at our house. The soggy realization that our roof was kaput soaked in a few weeks ago.

“Uhhh, honey?” I said, looking up at the brown splotch forming on our kitchen’s white ceiling.

And the phone calls began. Two inspections, one insurance claim and four roofing estimates confirmed: This was not a patch job. We needed a whole new roof. Insurance would cover the interior damage (drywall and paint), but the roof was on us.

Given the cost, we won’t be taking a vacation again until humans live on Mars. The roofers’ estimates were all close in price, and established that we weren’t getting out of this for less than the cost of a Honda Civic, a nice wedding or 35,568 cans of soup, which is what we’ll be eating.

However, if I must be grown up about this, which I resent, the roof news wasn’t a complete surprise. When we bought the Happier Yellow House two years ago, the home inspector said the roof had only a few good years left. Asphalt shingle roofs in Florida’s humid, hurricane-ridden climate typically last 15 to 20 years. Ours had been broiling for 16.

I looked for the silver lining: Maybe we can improve our home’s curb appeal and get something besides boring gray asphalt shingles.

The roofers were unanimous in their opinion: Stick with asphalt shingles, the most popular roofing material in the United States. They’re economical, practical and work with a variety of traditional home styles. Tile, metal or slate roofs last longer, cost more and are heavier than most homes (including ours) were designed to support. Wood shingles, a good fit for ranch or rustic homes, can develop algae in moist climates — and they pose a fire danger in dry areas.

We might be stuck with asphalt, but I could still change the color. The sample board’s 18 choices included many grays, ranging in value from Mist White to Charcoal Black. In between were bold color options like Atlantic Blue, Hunter Green and Cottage Red. Hmmm. I felt my knees giving way, and called my brother.

A Los Angeles-based design architect, Craig Jameson makes these decisions every day. He brought me to my senses, as he often does. “It’s okay to be gray,” he said, then offered these points to consider when choosing a new roof color:

Look at what you have: Replacing your roof with the type of material you already have is generally safe, since builders typically choose the right material for a home’s architectural style, structural support, color palette and location, he said.

Consider climate: Shingle color can affect your home’s temperature and, depending on your insulation, energy bills. Black attracts and retains heat, making attics hotter. A lighter roof reflects the sun and keeps interiors cooler.

Factor in house colors: Red brick houses look nice with dark brown, deep gray or black shingles. Light gray houses look smart with dark gray roofs. Beige or cream houses work with brown, warm gray or even colored shingles. If you’re planning to change the color of your house, now is a good time to consider the whole palette.

Don’t make a statement: Your roof should not be the first feature folks notice. “A roof is meant to be in the background,” Craig said. “A very dark roof will be more pronounced. A light roof will compete with the facade for attention, which is why mid tones are most popular.”

Get large samples: Do not choose your roof color from a small color chip, or from colors on a computer screen. Get two or more large samples, and see the color on your roof at different times of day.

Aim for variation: Monochromatic shingles look flat. You want shingles with slight color variations to give the roof some dimension, but not so much that it looks like a checkerboard.

Mind your neighbors: Look at the roofs around yours and choose a shingle color that harmonizes. Don’t make it match, but do make it blend. Clear your choice with your homeowner’s association, if your HOA rules cover roof choices.

After considering a gamut of color options, I chose medium gray (Colonial Slate) asphalt shingles in almost exactly the same color as the shingles we’re replacing. Change is fun, but sometimes boring is best. Picking a roof is one of those times.

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