If you own a Colonial-style home or would like to give your house this classic look, you may be focused largely on the windows and siding of the home. However, choosing a Colonial-style roof is just as important if you want to tie the look together.
Here is a look at what type of roof you should consider for your Colonial-style home.
What Is a Colonial Home?
Colonial architecture has its roots in the U.S. Colonial era. Its basic framework is simple and symmetrical, with homes featuring two or more stories, often with a central staircase that provides access to big, ground-floor rooms on either side.
Types of Colonial Roofs
Here is a look at some popular types of colonial roofs:
Slate Roofing
A slate roof is a great choice for a Colonial home. As a classic roofing material, it has been popular for hundreds of years and is considered a great match for the uniform styling of colonial homes. It can last for as long as 100 years and needs little in the way of repair and maintenance.
Fire- and water-resistant slate roofs contain UV inhibitors that can prevent damage from the sun’s rays. However, homeowners should keep in mind that natural slate tends to be quite heavy, so it is important to make sure the home is able to support the weight.
Copper Roofing
Another good roofing material for Colonial homes is copper, which creates an upscale aesthetic and is incredibly durable. Its light weight means that it is easy and quick to install and is not likely to require any modifications to the existing roof to support it.
It is also considered highly energy-efficient, helping indoor temperatures to remain stable throughout the year thanks to its ability to reflect the sun. This can help to reduce utility costs. For Colonial homes that need some extra character, unique ornamental metal designs such as steeples and weathervanes can be incorporated.
Clay Tiles
Tiles made of clay were often used as a roofing material for Spanish Colonial homes. Noncombustible and highly durable, they can last for 50 years or longer. However, like slate, they are very heavy, which means additional roof framing may be needed to make sure the structure is able to support the weight of the tiles. One benefit clay tiles have over those made of slate is the fact that they are available in lighter shades.
Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles come in more shapes, textures and colors than most other roofing options, which means it is not difficult to find styles that will work well for Colonial homes.
They can help to create a more rustic-looking home, and they can last for 50 years or longer. They do not come with the weight issues that clay and slate roof tiles are known for, and they are also highly energy-efficient.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are a very popular roofing material on account of their low price and ease of installation. They work well with most types of architectural styles, including Colonial homes, and offer greater durability than wooden shingles. Although their longevity varies by manufacturer, homeowners can expect to get around 15 to 30 years out of these shingles.
Other Factors to Consider
There are a few other factors to keep in mind when choosing roofing materials for your Colonial-style home. The first is the style of the neighborhood. If all the homes in your neighborhood feature a specific type of material on their roofs, consider going with the same material to fit in with the surrounding homes. There is a good chance you can find a suitable style in any material to complement your Colonial home.
The specific subtype of Colonial home you have will also dictate the materials you can use to some extent. For example, gambrel roofs, with their steeply pitched sides and almost level top, can be difficult to hang traditional shingles on and can place further stress on heavier materials like slate roof tiles.
Synthetic shingles are often a better choice for roofs of this style. With a classic gabled roof, cedar shake shingles are a more traditional choice.
It is also important to consider the weather where you live. While you may have your heart set on a specific roofing material on account of its aesthetics, you need to ensure you are choosing something that is also prepared to stand up to whatever weather challenges your region faces.
Finally, keep in mind that a roof is a long-term investment. Following a trend might seem like a good idea, but be sure to choose something that you can envision yourself being happy with for many years to come.
Reach Out to the Northern Virginia Roofing Contractors
If you are looking for residential roof replacement and installation services, get in touch with the experienced roofing contractors at Adelphia Exteriors to learn more about our services or request a free roof evaluation.