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The roof represents a major decision if you are building or remodelling your home since it greatly impact how your home looks so the style and color scheme needs to be just right and it should match with the overarching style and theme of the house. The right roof can take your home from mediocre to exceptional and there is no doubt that it can add value to the real estate in many ways especially if you have taken other factors like durability and climate-appropriateness into account.
Color For Beauty
As a homeowner you may think color only matters for the aesthetics of a home but it makes a difference even in the temperature retention. Darker roofs absorb more heat and light as basic science teaches us and lighter roofs refract a greater portion of it. Research has shown that black colored roofs can be as much as 30 degrees warmer than lighter colored roofs.
On the other hand, if your area receives a great deal of rain or snow, darker colored roofs will melt the latter and former a lot faster enabling your home’s heating system to work better. Of course for a temperate climate, you really have the option to choose whichever color you like, although bear in mind that neutral colors like beige or grey do not really have the effect described above.
Let Roofing Materials Decide
Certain roofing materials look the best they can within a certain color range. Metal roofing such as shingles and seam sheets look best with black, white or grey although theoretically they can be painted in any color. Do an experimental coloring on a shingle or on a piece of board so you can see the effect before committing to a single color. Don’t forget you can also add transitional colors and employ various shades and even contrasting shades on your roof especially for a house with multiple levels or sloping roofs.
Blend With The Surroundings
The house’s exterior paint, outdoor furniture and the general color scheme needs to match or contrast with the color and the style of the roofing material. Take a cue from the rest of the exterior scheme and choose the color of the roof accordingly. If you have utilized a lot of color in the exterior you may want to tone down the roof with colors like grey and vice versa if you have a more neutral scheme for the rest of the house. Many houses look more luxurious because they have a bright colored roof such as blue or green that uplifts the otherwise neutral surroundings.
The general architectural style is a great indicator of what the color of your roof should be. For example for a farmhouse style home, it would be extremely unlikely that the roof would be black or grey. The reverse applies to more contemporary modern homes that want darker, industrial colors for a futuristic appeal. Consult your expert contractor to discern that the color of your roof does not deviate from the color scheme that belongs to the rest of the architecture.
When In Doubt, Classic Neutral Is Your Friend
Grey, brown, slate grey and charcoal color shades have stood the test of time when it comes to roofing colors so if you cannot decide at all, know that a classic color scheme will not let you down. These colors work well for a more basic design as well as for more elaborate custom homes with gables, domes or fences. A grey roof for example looks great for both a modern home and a colonial masterpiece so you simply cannot go wrong.
Wooden & Natural
Wooden roofing slates are becoming a modern classic so consult a Lemont roofer whether they can work for your kind of roof. Rustic style cottages and homes are very much on-trend with many homeowners undertaking extensive remodels to emulate that outdoorsy vibe. Even if you are not using wooden shingles you can paint your existing tiles to resemble wood or even go for a green roof so your home looks more naturally appealing. Green roofs produce beautiful flowers and useful vegetables and also reduce the carbon footprint of a home build or remodel. Weathered wood or hickory wood are popular choices for wooden shingles and also for tiles resembling wood.
The Style With The Most Benefits
Roofs are meant to be both practical and aesthetic. Depending on the area you live, choose a roof that has the most to offer. In rainy areas certain roof styles such as sloping and gabled roofs allow water to run off and drain effectively. Certain other types of roof may even allow for rainwater to be harvested in order to be used later.
Certain flat roof styles allow solar panelling which is environmentally friendly, reduces thermal energy dependence and improves existing insulation. In the modern world, no homeowner can make the mistake of investing in a roofing material entirely for aesthetic reasons. Certain styles are more difficult to build than others so consult a professional about a roofing style that matches the rest of your exterior. Certain homeowners choose a home and roofing style that blends in with their neighbourhood especially if they live in a very old one that has historic references.
Do Not Overlook Cost
Budget may be the less glamorous aspect of having a beautiful roof and home but undoubtedly a vital one. Look into what a professional contractor will cost you who has experience in the style of roof that inspires you and always factor in hidden costs such as transportation costs for builders and materials. If you are on a tight budget you may need to decide certain aspects are more important than others and give them precedence. Having a written contract with your builder regarding the budget and timeline can prevent unpleasantness or legal trouble later on. The choice of roofing material itself is a huge determinant of the cost that will be incurred when building a roof.
