Choosing the Best Roof for Your Home
There’s a lot riding on your roof. Roofing does more than simply keep out the elements; it also helps regulate your heating, cooling, and energy efficiency as well as contributing to your home’s curb appeal. So when the time comes to choose a new roof for your home, you want to do more than simply pick a shingle off a shelf or out of a catalogue. With so much depending on your roof, take the time to consider several different factors before you choose.
Color and Style
Your roof is a very large and visible part of your home’s exterior, which means it’s one of the first things people see when they view your home from the road. Known as curb appeal, this first impression has a powerful impact on how people regard your home in general.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a color and style of roof that will complement your home’s architecture, as well as the rest of the colors you’ve chosen for your exterior.
In some cases, your home’s architectural style will dictate in part what your roof should look like. For example, a modern home may look best with a standing seam metal roof, while on a Colonial, an architectural shingle that gives the roof depth and character may be the best fit.
When it comes to the color of your roof, take the rest of the colors already in place on your home into consideration. Things like tone, and how dramatic you want the overall appearance to be can help determine the final look. For example, if you have cool tones on your home, and you want a subtle appearance for the exterior as a whole, use a cool-toned roof such as a slate gray. On the other hand, if you want to create a more dramatic look, warm up the tone of your roof with a brown shingle, which will make the area pop visually. Remember that the more similar the colors are, the more subtle and relaxing the appearance of your home will be. The further apart the colors get from one another, the more dramatic the look.
Energy Efficiency
Creating a more sustainable home is a goal that many homeowners are working toward, which in many cases can extend to your roof. If you live in a climate that sees a lot of sun, you may want to look into either light colored, or solar reflective shingles to help prevent a superheated attic and keep your energy bills lower. Solar reflective shingles help keep the sun’s UV rays from causing your roof to deteriorate more quickly as well, which may mean that your roof will last longer, as well as help prevent heating during the hotter months of the year.
Location
Your roof also plays a big role in your home’s resale, both its value and in how quickly your home may sell. So it makes sense to take your location into consideration when choosing a new roof. You should consider your location from a few different angles to get the best fit.
For example, if you live in an area that is prone to blue/green algae stains on roofs, you may want to consider an algae resistant shingle or a dark-colored shingle that won’t show the stains. This can help keep down your maintenance, but also help keep your curb appeal and resale value intact because your roof won’t be subject to unsightly stains.
Climate also plays a factor in choosing your roof. Heat and solar reflective shingles are only one consideration; other climates may also play a role in how well your roof preforms. For example, homes located in areas that are very prone to hail storms may want to consider a shingle that is resistant to hail damage, while people who live in very snow climates will want to consider roofs that can handle the potential weight and the stress of removal and ice dams.
Finally, your location may also play a role in what color and style of roofing you ultimately choose. Styles and preferences vary around the country; keeping the color and style of your roof consistent with the area helps to preserve its value and ensures a faster sale than homes that are out of keeping with area styles.
First Posted here: How to Choose the Best Roof
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