Roofing Materials and Accessories that Improve Curb Appeal

Perhaps you’re browsing online, or you’re visiting an open house for the home of your dreams. A broker may be showing you properties that meet your specifications. Your eye lands on one of the most important parts of your prospective home—the roof.

Or maybe you’re a homeowner looking to get top dollar for your home sale. You’ve spent hours prepping the inside to get it ready for showings. No matter what, don’t forget to look up.

The state of your roof could have a huge impact on the value of your house. Picking the right roofing materials, designs, colors, and accessories can ensure your place looks top-notch for that all-important first impression.

The basics of roofing materials

Whether you’re a home buyer, homeowner, or real estate professional, you should know the basics of different materials. Not only what’s currently on trend, but what is appealing, functional, and durable.

Like any element of home decor, roof trends change along with consumer needs and tastes; for example, energy efficiency is more important now than ever before. Largely, it comes down to taste. The following are some major categories to consider, and how they might give your house that eye-catching curb appeal.

Wood shakes and shingles

This roofing type is made from trees like red cedar, cypress, pine, and redwood that are reshaped by manufacturers for commercial and residential use. Generally, shingles are sawn on both sides and are thinner at the butt. A shake is typically split on one or both sides. Wood shingles have a rustic curb appeal and are lightweight, but they can be difficult and costly to repair or replace. It’s important to weigh the aesthetic advantages against maintenance costs.

Asphalt shingles

Homeowners who like a traditional look and want a wide range of color and shape options are looking to asphalt shingles; they’re the most popular roofing style today. These shingles are known to fight algae growth, and impact resistant asphalt shingles can stand up to hail (which may offer insurance benefits in certain geographies). They can also provide reflective color technologies that improve the energy efficiency of your home or commercial property.

Their popularity also comes from the fact that they’re more affordable than some other options. The downside to this is that asphalt shingles have a relatively shorter life span than other types of roofing materials. However, they make up for it by being relatively affordable and easy to replace.

Slate

The oldest of roofing materials (dating back to the 12th century), slate when used on a roof has a lifespan of over 75 years. Beautiful and colorful, it can offer tremendous curb appeal, especially for homeowners who love historical details. But slate roofs are heavy and costly, and maintenance and repairs need to be done by someone who has expertise with the material. If you’re considering buying a house with a slate roof, there are many factors you should look at, including the age of the slate and the cost of repairs.

If you love the look of slate but have cost concerns or are replacing your home’s roof, synthetic slate is a great energy-efficient option. It’s made from recyclable material, so you’ll be using less electricity and doing your part for the environment.  Durable and easy-to-install, it is more costly than asphalt shingles but provides a classic look that’s identical to an authentic slate roof.

Clay tile

As Bob Vila says, “An exotic sense of romance is associated with tile roofs.” They typically appear on Southwest-style and Mediterranean-inspired homes. In addition to the aesthetic appeal clay offers, consumers also fall in love with practical benefits like durability, energy efficiency, low maintenance, hurricane-grade wind mitigation (when properly installed), fire safety, and a very long lifespan.

Metal shingles

Although a metal roof is more costly than other types of roofing, it offers tremendous benefits in terms of longevity, energy-efficiency, safety, and durability. They come in a wide range of styles and colors, which enhances curb appeal and enables homeowners to customize the look of their roof easily.

Roofing trends

Each option has its pros and cons. You need to find a style that visually appeals to you, and to potential buyers if your goal is to sell—just make sure to be aware of maintenance and repair costs over time.

Accessories that entice

Just as landscape lighting, house numbers, a bright front door or window boxes can make the front entry more attractive and cabinet hardware can make or break a kitchen, roof accessories add visual appeal. The right gutters, colors, and shutters can also up the resale value.

Respect the gutter

Properly maintained gutters will prevent leaks and other problems. Gutters overflowing with leaves, cracked or bent downspouts, or holes and rust spots can give a home exterior an appearance of neglect. If you’re replacing your gutters, choose materials and colors that complement the style of your home.

Color is critical

Daunted at the thought of picking colors? It’s not much different from choosing paint. Of course, you should start with personal preference, but select paint and roof tones that fit with your neighborhood while making your home stand out and look new and fresh. Make sure to consider energy-efficiency as well as curb appeal. Different colors evoke specific moods too. For example, blues tend to be calming and reds are forceful and energetic. However, going too bold with your color choices can ultimately limit your buyer base because aesthetic tastes vary widely.

The colors you choose for the exterior of your home can make a huge difference in the long run. Certain color palettes work well together, so take into account all other colors that exist on the exterior of your house. Creating contrast can draw attention to visually appealing areas, but it’s always a good idea to match the root colors of brick, siding, trim, and doors.

Shutters and shrubs can seal the deal

Exterior window shutters can add tremendous curb appeal, but only if they work with the rest of your home. Like roofs, shutters come in a wide range of styles, materials, and colors which should all be considered when installing or replacing them. If you’re selling a home, a real estate professional can advise you on the best options for maximum curb appeal.

When someone is driving by a home, they look at the property as a whole, so make sure your trees, flowers, plants, and walkways are all appealing to the eye. The colors and styles of plantings and exterior structures should work with the rest of your home.

Roofr can help

Whether you’re getting your home ready for sale, replacing or fixing the roof on a home you bought, or are in the process of house hunting and need to get smarter about your roof options, we can keep you from making costly mistakes.

Call Roofr to be connected with a vetted roofing contractor and get an estimate today! Our experts can help you choose the right materials and roofing strategies to improve your home’s curb appeal, one shingle or tile at a time! Leave us a comment below, or tell us what you think on social media.media.dia.l media.media.ia.media.l media.media.l media.media.