Whether replacing a roof or building a new one, the right shingles can enhance your home’s aesthetic. But with so many options, homeowners often need help to choose the best shingles for their projects. Start by deciding what qualities you want in your shingle. Then consider how those qualities will play out in your specific climate and neighborhood.
Materials
When deciding on the material for your roof, you need to consider your home’s location, climate, and other factors. Products like IKO roofing materials offer protection against harsh weather conditions, wildfires, and pests while providing a pleasing aesthetic to your home’s exterior. Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing option because they are durable and affordable. They work well with many architectural styles, including bungalows, Cape-Cod style homes, and Colonials. They are also easy to repair and last 20 to 25 years. Clay and concrete tile roofs offer a unique, stylish, and luxurious curb appeal. They are an excellent choice for warm, dry regions prone to wildfires because they are highly resistant to extreme heat and can handle hail damage. They are expensive, however, and can weigh as much as 2 to 3 times more than asphalt shingles. The weight can impact your project timeline and may require structural adjustments to the roof.
Colors
The color of products like IKO shingles plays a critical role in the overall look of your home’s exterior style. The shingles’ body color should harmonize with other painted surfaces on the house, such as the front door, shutters, and trim. The home’s architectural style should also be considered when selecting a shingle color. Victorian, Queen Anne, and Colonial homes often look best with dark colors because they create a classic, symmetrical appearance. Bungalows typically look great with lighter shingle colors because they emphasize these homes’ unique brick and stonework. Country or vacation homes, such as log cabins and adobe brick homes, generally look best with shingle colors that match the surrounding landscape and natural elements. For example, a roof made of grey shingles emulating slate tiles looks perfect on a mountain lake retreat.
Patterns
The most popular type of roofing shingle is asphalt, which is available in a wide range of patterns and colors. Some offer a wood-shingle look with high fire and wind resistance, while others are designed to provide low cost and ease of installation. Some manufacturers also offer a lifetime protection warranty on certain types of shingles. However, it is essential to note that most warranties only cover the initial ten years of ownership of your home, then reimburse you for the depreciated value of your roof. Most localities have building code requirements that vary by area, so check with your city or township to determine the specific rules for your locale. Generally, shingles are packaged and sold in bundles covering three to five square feet of your roof.
Styles
A roof is a home’s first defense against the elements, so its style matters. The type of roof you choose will influence your house’s appearance, utility, and lifetime. Most homes in the United States feature pitched roofing made from shingles (asphalt, composite, or wood) or metal. There are several different roof styles, including gable roofs, hip roofs, jerkinhead roofs, mansard roofs, and saltbox roofs. A gable roof consists of two pitched sections that meet at a point to form a triangle, like the one in this home. Its gentle slope makes it easy to build and suitable for most historical and contemporary houses. Gable roofs with curved features, such as eyebrow dormers, create a softer look that blends with the siding. Shed roofs, on the other hand, slant in only one direction. This roof shape is ideal for storage or a porch area. You can choose from many roof tiles, from terracotta to slate.