New Home Roofing Designs – How To Choose The Right Shingles

Are you replacing your current roof? Here are some roofing designs that are really hot for 2020!

When someone mentions decorating, designing and redesigning their home, what is the first thing you think of? The living room, the dining room, the bedroom? One thing is for sure. You definitely don’t even remember the roof. This part of a house is often neglected. That is, until the time comes to design it. At that point, you suddenly find yourself puzzled and confused, realizing that you don’t know the first thing about roofs. And when your knowledge is so scarce, it is fairly easy to make some wrong choices. Believe me, you do not want to let that happen.

The Importance Of Design

No matter how much we may take it for granted, the roof is the central point of any home’s exterior. Not only does it influence the whole look of the house, but it is also significant from a structural point of view. Surely, you do not want to end up with leaks, or mold. Therefore, you have to think of both the material you use and the style you want to incorporate. Whether your aesthetic sense requires a simple flat, or an unusual-shaped roof, today’s market offers various types. This means that your chances of finding the right one are through the roof. Get it? Check this website. Although your personal preferences are of utmost importance, when choosing your roofing design, you have to take a few more factors into consideration. You need to think about what it is you exactly expect from this part of your house and you absolutely want to find the appropriate one for the climate in your area.

What Are Roof Shingles?

Even if certain things are susceptible to change and can be left out of your plans for some period of time, there are those which remain necessary, no matter the style you go for regarding your roof. One of those things are the shingles. You might not even know what these are. But, the simple truth is – you need them. Made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, wood and more, shingles are a roof covering consisting of typically rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge up. Each successive course overlaps the joints below. Since these elements are highly visible, they represent an important aspect of your home’s exterior design. If you need some exterior design tips, find them here. In any case, when decorating or redecorating your home, the type of shingles is one of the first things you will have to decide on. This is the time to use your expertise and choose the most suitable design. But, what if you are far from an expert on this topic? Well, read on, you might learn a few things.

Choosing The Type

As I have already mentioned, these shingles can be made from many different materials. However, as practice has shown, certain types are more popular than others. Let us see which are the most common and widespread ones today.

Metal

Ranging from copper to aluminum, these shingles can turn out to be a really low cost option. However, the exact material you choose affects the longevity of the product. If properly maintained, they can last up to 50 years. Furthermore, they are extremely fire resistant, which makes them suitable for fire prone areas.

Wood

If you are looking for a more eco-friendly option, you should definitely go for wood. This shingles are not only known to last between 30 to 50 years, but they are also fairly easy to maintain. On top of that, the beautiful aesthetics of a wooden roof are undeniable. But, be careful. Unlike metal ones, these are more likely to catch on fire and they should also be protected against termites mold.

Asphalt

Although there might be a large number of types available, there is no doubt that the asphalt shingles are by far the most commonly used roofing material in the United States of America. And there are some pretty good reasons to justify their widespread residential applications. Since, in the end, it’s the people’s choices that matter. First of all, they fall under the category of the cheapest, while still being extremely durable, with a lifespan from 20 to 60 years. These All American Roofing shingles have even found their way into Australia and are also used across Europe. Apart from being easy to install, they are known to be recyclable in some areas.

Choosing The Color

After you have decided on the type, your next step towards completing the look is to choose the color that complements the overall exterior of your home. Sure, you think this is a piece of cake. But, believe it or not, you should think twice and consider a few important elements before making the ultimate decision. Because, one thing is for sure – you will be looking at the roof for a long time. And you don’t want to end up hating it after only a few months. In the first place, the color you choose should pair well with the one on your house. You can opt for making the shingles blend in with the exterior, or create some kind of a contrast. If you want to stick with the more traditional option of blending in, then go for colors like gray, brown or black. On a different note, for a bolder look, make a contrast with shades like reddish-orange and similar.

But, just slapping any of these colors and saying “that will do”, will probably NOT DO the best for your home. In order to really make it beautiful, you have to take the whole architectural design into consideration. Imagine a traditional colonial style building with a roof that combines multiple colors. It would look a bit…well, weird. If you are unsure of how to determine which color would suit the shape and style of your house, here is a useful tip. Search for some similar designs and observe. Take notes on what kind of roofing types appeal most do you. Then, sit down, make comparisons, and decide.