When their roof needs an upgrade, many homeowners are pleased to have the opportunity to change their home’s appearance. While a new roof can certainly transform the look of a home – even when the roof replacement is simply a newer version of the previous color and material – there are also some important functional considerations to keep in mind when choosing your new roof.
How can you strike the right balance between roof aesthetics and functionality? Here’s what Northern Virginia homeowners need to know.
The Home’s Style and Environment
One of the top concerns of homeowners when choosing a roof, particularly among those who are unfamiliar with the more technical aspects of roofing, is its appearance. This is strictly an aesthetic concern, but it is important to pay attention to curb appeal as it directly impacts your home’s resale value and future sale prospects.
It is important to ensure that the roof matches its environment and the style of the home. For example, wood shake shingles look nice on properties on a secluded wooded lot, while Spanish colonial homes on the Virginia coast might opt for the look of clay tiles. Keep in mind that your roof can make up a large percentage of the visual exterior of your home, so it is important to give color selection the attention it deserves. Ensuring coherence in the home’s overall design can enhance its appearance as well as its curb appeal.
Color and Texture
Another chiefly aesthetic concern is the colors and textures you select for your roof. Many roofing materials, such as clay, metal and asphalt, are available in a broad range of options, which means you can choose the color and texture that best suit your desired look.
Keep in mind that light-colored shingles can make a home appear larger than it is, while darker-colored shingles can help create focus and hide any imperfections. It may be helpful to use software to visualize how your home would look with various shades of roofs before making a decision.
However, color and texture can also be functional considerations. Lighter-colored shingles can help keep the inside of the home cooler thanks to their heat-reflecting qualities, although they cannot make up for poor insulation or ventilation. Darker colors of shingles, in contrast, absorb heat.
Pitch and Slope
Your roof’s pitch plays an important role in its functionality, impacting how well snow, water and debris is shed from the surface of the roof. A steeper slope is ideal for the rainfall seen in Northern Virginia as it can prevent the accumulation of water and promote drainage.
Nevertheless, some homeowners may prefer a flatter roof because it can provide them with more usable space; others choose a flat roof because it suits the architectural style of their home.
The roof’s pitch and slope can also be aesthetic concerns in the sense that roofs that have a higher pitch or greater slope will have more shingles visible from street level. With this type of roof, choosing a profile and color that enhances the home’s architectural style is essential.
Climate
When choosing the right roof for your Northern Virginia home, you must take into account the weather patterns seen in our area. Although the climate throughout the area is considered relatively moderate, there are periods of snowfall in winter, hot weather in summer, and storm season and the heavy winds and rainfall it can sometimes bring. This means you must ensure your roof has an effective drainage system as well as roofing materials that make it easier for snow to shed so that its weight does not build up on the roof.
Drainage Systems
A drainage system is an important component of a roof, and its integration can be as much an aesthetic concern as a functional one. Proper drainage is needed to manage water runoff and prevent the accumulation of water and leaks, which can lead to major damage that is expensive to repair.
When designing a roof, you must consider where gutters and downspouts will be placed, along with their size and capacity as it relates to Northern Virginia rainfall patterns and other climate considerations. A well designed drainage system can contribute to your home’s overall appearance as well as its functionality.
Building Codes
Another important functional consideration for Northern Virginia roofs is your local building codes and regulations. These standards exist to ensure the safety of your home’s structure and its inhabitants, and complying with them is essential.
Seek Advice From Professionals
When looking for the best way to combine aesthetics and functionality, it may be helpful to seek professional advice. Roofing specialists, designers and architects can provide valuable knowledge based on their expert understanding of your home’s requirements as well as the Northern Virginia climate and proven design principles. In particular, roofing contractors can help you ensure that you select appropriate materials as well as the right shape and pitch for your roof to stand up to the elements.
Learn More About Roof Aesthetics and Functionality From the Northern Virginia Roofing Professionals
Designing the ideal roof requires a solid understanding of roofing materials as well as your local climate. The professionals at Adelphia Exteriors are experienced in helping Northern Virginia homeowners find the right roof for their home’s style as well as their budget. Contact us today by calling (703) 386-7357 or request a free roof evaluation online.