Your roof covers more of the front of your house than almost anything else you can see from the street, so the shingle color matters as much as the shingle itself. At Malick Brothers Exteriors, Burnt Hickory from the Atlas Pinnacle Pristine line is one of the colors Pittsburgh homeowners ask us about most. It is a warm, deep brown blend that pairs well with the brick, stone and siding found on so many homes around the city. In this post we cover how the color looks on real houses, what the Scotchgard Protector algae resistance does, and how the Atlas 50 year warranty works when the roof is installed as a complete Atlas system. You can see every Atlas color we install on our asphalt shingle roofing page.
What Burnt Hickory Looks Like
Burnt Hickory is a blend of dark browns with lighter, warmer granules mixed in. From the curb it reads as a rich brown with some depth to it, not a flat single color. Up close you can see the variation that gives the Pinnacle Pristine shingle its dimensional, layered look. That blend is what makes it feel close to natural wood without the upkeep of a real wood roof.
Because it sits in the brown family, it is a softer choice than a near black shingle. It hides dust and pollen well and does not show every leaf or bit of debris the way a very light or very dark roof can.
How Burnt Hickory Reads on Pittsburgh Brick and Siding
Pittsburgh has a lot of red and brown brick, from city row houses to the brick and frame homes in the North Hills and South Hills. Burnt Hickory works with that brick because it shares the same warm undertone. A roof in this color tends to tie the brick and the trim together instead of fighting with them.
Here is how it usually plays with common exteriors we see around Pittsburgh:
- Red or orange brick: a natural match. The brown roof calms the brick down and makes the house look grounded.
- Tan, buff or yellow brick: a warm, classic combination, especially with cream or white trim.
- Stone fronts: Burnt Hickory picks up the browns and tans in fieldstone and cultured stone.
- Beige, cream or khaki siding: one of the easiest pairings. The roof gives the house definition without looking heavy.
- Green or deep red siding: works well for a traditional or farmhouse look.
- Cool gray or blue siding: possible, but this is where we often suggest a gray or black blend instead. Hold samples up against your siding before you decide.
Light matters too. Pittsburgh has plenty of gray, overcast days, and on those days Burnt Hickory looks darker and more uniform. In bright sun the lighter granules show more. We always suggest looking at a sample on your own house at a few different times of day, and we are happy to point you to finished Atlas roofs near you so you can see the color at full size. We installed Atlas Burnt Hickory on a home in Ben Avon in January 2026.
Scotchgard Protector: Fighting Black Streaks
Those dark streaks you see running down many Pittsburgh roofs are usually algae. Our humid summers, shady lots and tree cover give it plenty of chance to grow, especially on north facing slopes. Once it takes hold, the streaks make even a fairly new roof look old.
Atlas Pinnacle Pristine shingles are made with Scotchgard Protector, which uses granules designed to resist the algae that cause those black streaks. The goal is a roof that keeps its color instead of turning streaky after a few seasons. Atlas backs that algae resistance with its own limited warranty, and the details depend on the shingle and the system, so we walk through the exact terms with you before the job starts.
For a warm color like Burnt Hickory, this matters. Algae streaks show clearly on brown and lighter roofs, so keeping them off is a big part of keeping the roof looking the way it did on install day.
Wind and Weather Performance
Pittsburgh roofs deal with summer thunderstorms, strong gusts, heavy snow and plenty of freeze and thaw cycles. Pinnacle Pristine shingles carry an Atlas 130 mph wind limited warranty when they are installed to Atlas specifications. They are also built to hold up to impacts, fire and temperature swings.
The shingle is only part of it. Proper nailing, starter strips, ridge cap, flashing and ventilation are what let any shingle actually reach its rated performance. That is why the installation crew matters as much as the brand on the bundle.
The Atlas 50 Year Warranty on Complete Systems
Malick Brothers Exteriors is an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor. That certification lets us offer the Atlas 50 year warranty when we install a complete Atlas roof system. A complete system means more than Atlas shingles. It includes Atlas underlayment, starter, hip and ridge, and ventilation components installed together as one system.
Using matched components from one manufacturer means the parts are designed to work together, and it means one warranty covers the roof instead of a patchwork of separate product warranties. When we write up your estimate, we spell out which components are included so you know exactly what the warranty covers.
What We Do on an Atlas Pinnacle Pristine Roof
When we replace a roof with Pinnacle Pristine shingles, the job usually looks like this:
- We inspect the roof and attic, check the decking and ventilation, and give you a free written estimate.
- We help you choose a color, with samples held up against your brick or siding.
- We tear off the old roof and replace any damaged decking.
- We install the Atlas underlayment, starter, shingles, ridge and ventilation, plus new flashing where it is needed.
- We clean up the property and walk the finished roof with you.
We are family owned, based at 500 Perry Highway in West View, BBB A+ accredited and licensed under PA HIC PA174918. We work all winter, weather permitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burnt Hickory a brown or a black shingle?
It is a brown blend. It looks darker on cloudy days and warmer in direct sun, but it reads as brown, not black.
Will Burnt Hickory go with red brick?
Yes. It is one of the most common pairings we see in Pittsburgh because the brown roof and red brick share a warm undertone.
Does Scotchgard Protector mean the roof never needs attention?
It is designed to resist the algae that cause black streaks. It does not stop moss on heavily shaded roofs or debris from trees, so keeping gutters clear and branches trimmed still helps.
How do I get the Atlas 50 year warranty?
The roof has to be a complete Atlas system installed by a certified contractor. As an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor, we can offer it on complete Atlas roofs we install.
What will my roof cost?
It depends on the size and pitch of your roof, how many layers come off, the condition of the decking and the amount of flashing work. We give every homeowner a free written estimate so you get a real number for your house.
See Burnt Hickory on Your Home
If you are thinking about Atlas Pinnacle Pristine in Burnt Hickory, we will bring samples, inspect your roof and give you a free written estimate. Contact Malick Brothers Exteriors to schedule a visit.
