Your Roof Can Add Color and Value to Your Home
The color of your home’s exterior can really make or break its curb appeal. And experts say that many homeowners are gazing upward to their roofs to make a statement.
Whether you go with a timeless look or you shake things up with something more modern, the color of your roof can really be an area for true self-expression. Roofing colors should reflect a homeowner’s personal style and tie in with the overall home exterior.
Take a “top down” approach to adding eye-pleasing color palettes to your home’s exterior. Start with the roof color, then work your way down the house to consider the siding, window frames, front entry door and trim. The most timeless roofing colors used on American homes include black, gray and cedar. Black, in particular, is always a safe bet. Consider colors that are gaining in popularity in today’s roofs. Those include shades of green, clay and terracotta. Always think about the style of architecture and the setting of the home. For example, terracotta or clay colors are well-suited for a Mediterranean style home. Green roofs work well in wooded settings or can easily ‘soften’ the look of a home in an exposed location. Consider blending multiple colors. A mixture of two to eight colors is ideal. You can get a good sense of how they will look using free online resources. If you can’t find the roofing color that perfectly meets your needs, don’t stress. Most roofing companies can help you with your color choices.
Roofing materials come in many colors and types. Here are a few to get started.
Shingles sawn from bolts of wood such as red cedar which has a life expectancy is up to 30 years. However, young growth red cedar has a short life expectancy and high cost.
Shake Shingle
Shingles split from bolts of wood which generally gives a rougher appearance.
High cost with a life expectancy of 80 to 400 years.
Made of bitumen embedded in an organic or fiberglass mat, usually covered with colored, man-made ceramic grit. Cheaper than slate or tiles. Various life span expediencies.
Rubber Shingle
Alternative to asphalt shingle, slate, shake or tile. Made primarily of rubber, often recycled tire-derived rubber. Other typical ingredients include binders, UV (ultraviolet light) inhibitors, and color. Warranted and designed to last at least 50 years in most cases.
Asbestos Shingles.
Very long lifespan, fireproof and low cost but now rarely used because of health concerns.
