Do you need a new roof? Are you wondering if a new roof will increase your home's look?
Buying a house is one of the most expensive and proud purchases you'll make in your lifetime. So, it makes sense you want to show it off and make it look great with high curb appeal.
The landscaping, the color of your house, light fixtures, and more all impact your home's curb appeal. But what about a new roof?
Does it impact your home's curb appeal at all? If you've never had a roof replacement, you probably don't know what to expect. Let's change that.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand what they actually get out of their roof investment. Now, I'll break down what a new roof does to a home's curb appeal.
By the end of this article, I'll answer:
Does a new roof increase your home’s curb appeal?
Yes, a new roof does increase your home’s curb appeal. No matter the type of roofing material, a new roof is guaranteed to increase a home's curb appeal.
While looking clean and new plays a major role, something as simple as choosing the right color also makes a huge difference. And if you get a premium material, you can completely transform your home's look.
Now, I’m not saying you should go way over budget for a premium roof just for the sake of boosting your home’s curb appeal. But when the time comes for a roof replacement, just consider the impact on your home’s curb appeal.
As I said, a new roof increases your home's curb appeal no matter the type of roofing material. Even homes that a get new roof with standard asphalt shingles get a nice boost.
However, there are plenty of premium roofing materials that offer a premium look. So, let's look at the best roofing materials with high curb appeal plus their cost, lifespan, warranty, and the pros and cons.
Luxury (also called designer or premium) shingles are designed to look like a natural slate tile roof. They are larger, more durable, and the most expensive of three types of asphalt shingles.
However, the slate look also means luxury shingles have the highest curb appeal compared to other asphalt shingles.
Cost: $8.00 - $10.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 30 years or longer in perfect conditions
Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.
Luxury asphalt shingle pros:
Luxury asphalt shingle cons:
A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. Under each rib (seam) is a clip that fastens the panels together and allows them to glide back and forth when the metal goes through thermal expansion.
Because of its expansion and contraction capabilities, a standing seam metal roof is the recommended type of metal roof for residential purposes.
Cost: $16.00-$20.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 30 years (up to 50 in the right conditions)
Material warranty: 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish
Standing seam metal roofing pros:
Standing seam metal roofing cons:
Synthetic (also called composite) shingles are made of a synthetic polymer or recycled materials and designed to look exactly like a slate or cedar shake roof. They look very close to the natural material they mimic with realistic grooves, marks, and shapes.
This roofing material is a newcomer to the roofing industry, but it’s becoming increasingly popular among homeowners specifically for the high curb appeal.
Cost: $15.00 - $20.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 40-50 years
Material warranty: Depends on the manufacturer
Synthetic shingle roofing pros:
Synthetic shingle roofing cons:
Cedar shake is a premium roofing material made of natural wood (cedar) materials. They are split into 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles: common (most inferior), selects (80/20 split), and 100% straight grain (highest quality).
A cedar shake roof is considered one of the best-looking roofing materials available. However, it's important to remember cedar shakes don't keep the fresh look forever.
Cost: $25.00-$30.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 30 years (up to 50, depending on your area’s climate)
Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)
Cedar shake roofing pros:
Cedar shake roofing cons:
Slate tiles are a premium roofing material made primarily out of natural slate tiles and other slate materials. They slate look provides homes incredibly high curb appeal, which is why other materials mimic the look.
However, a slate roof system is incredibly heavy, so your home has to be built or retro-framed to carry the weight of a slate roof.
Cost: $25.00 - $30.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 75 to 100 years
Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)
Slate roofing pros:
Slate roofing cons:
After reading this article, you know that a new roof increases your home's curb appeal and the top materials for a premium look. Looks and aesthetics are always a factor when getting a new roof, but it's also important to consider your budget.
Premium materials with high curb appeals come at premium price. So, you just need to decide how much you want to increase your home's look based on what you can afford.
However, a new roof's boost for your home's curb appeal is one thing. The increase that many homeowners care more about is what it does to a home's value.
That's why I wrote another article breaking down the impact the monetary value a new roof adds to a home.
Check out How Much a New Roof Increases Your Home's Value to learn just how much value getting a new roof adds to your home's resale value.