In Monday’s blog post, we looked to HGTV’s Genevieve Gorder for her expert advice on choosing the right shingle color. Today we are going to explore shingle style and which styles best suit different types of architecture. For the best advice we look to HGTV’s Carter Oosterhouse…
Roof Style Matters for Curb Appeal and Home Value
As previously discussed, a home’s roof can have a tremendous impact on curb appeal. Choosing the right style and color can both improve the aesthetics of a home as well as the value. Architectural styles vary by location and climate and because of this shingle styles also vary.
Matching Shingle Styles to New England Architecture
Let’s take a look at a couple prevalent architectural styles in New England: Ranch, Colonial, Shingle, and Victorian.
Best Roof Shingles for Ranch-Style Homes
Ranch-style homes are prominent in the New England area. According to HGTV’s Carter Oosterhouse:
“This was one of the most dominant architectural styles in the United States from the 1960s through present-day architecture. Ranch-style homes are characterized by their one-story design with very low-pitched roofs and very long, spread-out floor plans. In most cases, the roof will be larger than that of a two-story home, so the roof can have a big impact on the look of the home.”
Why GAF Timberline Shingles Are Ideal for Ranch Homes
For this type of home, GAF’s Timberline shingle offers a superior look. This is North America’s #1 selling shingle and provides an ultra-dimensional wood shake appearance. It adds texture and curb appeal that balances the wide, low profile of a ranch home. With a lifetime warranty, it combines both beauty and durability, making it a smart and lasting investment.
Best Roof Shingles for Colonial-Style Homes
The colonial style tends to have a very square and symmetrical look to it. Carter feels the slate-look shingle style is a great fit for this type of home. This style of shingle has bold shadow lines and tapered cut-outs that create the appearance of depth and dimension. Timberline shingles will also work very well for this type of home.
Best Roof Shingles for Shingle-Style Architecture
The shingle style home is uniquely American in its style and its exterior walls are uniformly covered in shingles. According to Carter, “This style puts more emphasis on volume and horizontal lines, and less on variety in color and materials. It is known for its asymmetrical shape, multiple eaves and gables, lack of ornamental details, and free-flowing, open plan.” GAF’s Camelot shingle line is a great choice for shingle style homes. This line offers an affordable luxury with artisan-crafted shapes and oversized tabs that offer a sophisticated beauty unmatched by typical shingles.
The ornate designs of Victorian style homes make them a perfect candidate for slate-looking shingles.
We hope that you found this shingle style guide helpful. As always, make sure to review our shingle color guide before choosing your shingle color and also check with your Homeowner’s Association to make sure their aren’t any restrictions on the type of shingle you add to your home. In addition, it’s always good practice to consider your neighbors homes as well when choosing a shingle. You don’t want to duplicate their roof, but at the same time you don’t want to clash with it either.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me, Stephanie, at svanderbilt@mycoastalwindows.com or call (978) 304-0455 and we can discuss your shingle style and color options further. Looking forward to hearing from you!
And now for an EXCITING reminder! We will be making our Flipping Boston debut tomorrow on A&E at 11am EST. Watch as our Coastal Windows & Exteriors team helps Pete and Dave flip a Lynn, MA project!
