Outbuilding roofs, like sheds, gazebos, and pool houses, are just as crucial to your home's aesthetic as its roof. If these buildings are visible from the street, they can not only affect your property's curb appeal but can also influence its market value. Matching a shed roof to your house, in particular, is important, as mismatched roofs can significantly affect the appearance and value of your home.
Choosing coordinating colors and styles for all the buildings and exterior surfaces on your property can help ensure you get the most for your home. Let's explore this concept in more depth to help you understand the nuances of color matching, material selection, and product line consistency, including some tools to help you plan cohesive and harmonious upgrades.
Why Roof Coordination Matters
Coordinating the roof color with the rest of your home and other buildings on your property can help create a visually appealing and cohesive aesthetic, which can enhance your property's look and style, as well as improve its curb appeal and even increase its value.
A consistent color scheme can make your home stand out and create a positive first impression, which can boost curb appeal and increase market value. Additionally, certain architectural styles tend to be best suited for specific colors. For example, a colonial home typically does best with classic neutrals, while a modern home may benefit from bold accent colors.
That said, this doesn't mean you have to pick one color for everything. You can also lend your personal style to it.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shingle Style
It's important to choose the right shingle style and color for your shed roof. Here are some tips on picking your shingles:
Choose a color that either complements or is analogous to your home's color. Complementary colors are usually opposite of each other on a color wheel and offer an appealing contrast. Analogous colors, which are next to each other on the color wheel, can provide a more subtle and harmonious look. Try to stay in the same color temperature family (warm vs. cool), as well. Making everything the same color doesn't work well for buildings. Instead, aim to create some contrast.
Choose a texture or style that's similar to your home's roof for continuity. For a more detailed look, consider using architectural or composite shingles. Otherwise, standard 3-tab asphalt shingles should suffice.
In warmer climates, lighter colors can help reflect sunlight and heat away from your shed, keeping it cooler. In colder climates, darker colors help absorb heat more effectively.
If you're not sure what type of shingles you have on your home, here are some ways to identify them:
The most common, 3-tab shingles have a uniform, flat appearance.
Architectural or composite shingles appear more dimensional and can have multiple layers to create a raised appearance.
Wood shingles or shakes look rustic, rough, and thick.
Recommended GAF Shingle Options
Timberline HDZ® is a popular asphalt shingle that's ideally suited for shed roofs due to its durability and wide range of colors. These shingles have High Definition® shadow bands that create the appearance of depth and dimension, and they are available in 23 colors. They also come with extensive warranty protection, including the 15-year WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty and the 25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty.
Royal Sovereign® shingles are an economical choice for any outbuilding. They come in two vivid colors, charcoal and weathered gray, with excellent wind performance and protection against blue-green algae stains. The warranty package includes a 25-year Limited Warranty, a 15-year WindProven™ Limited Warranty, and a 10-year StainGuard™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty.
How the GAF Virtual Remodeler Can Help
GAF offers a free tool called the Virtual Home Remodeler that you can use to help visualize how your home or shed will look with different roofing materials and colors. You can upload a photo of your building to try out different looks in real-time.
Here's how to use the Virtual Home Remodeler tool:
- Upload a photo of your home, shed, or outbuilding.
- Click "Inspire Me" for style and color recommendations. You can click on a style to see more options.
- Click a photo to view your home, along with a list of products and color options.
- Click "Customize" to choose different colors and products for the roof, walls, windows, and primary paint color.
- Click "Customize" to select your style and colors and see them instantly on your home. You can customize the roof, walls, windows, trim, and paint.
- Once you're satisfied with your design, you can download it for saving and sharing. There's also a link to find a GAF-certified roofer to get started.
Try your hand at designing your shed or other structure with the GAF Virtual Home Remodeler.
Summer Projects and Installation Tips
With its longer, drier days, summer is the ideal time for outdoor projects, such as building outbuildings and roofs. This also means that contractors are busy, though they tend to be prepared for this and generally have more crews available.
Here are some tips for getting work done:
- Contact a roofing contractor in the spring, before they get busy, or consider postponing the work until late fall.
- Check out the contractor's online reviews, licensing, bonding, and insurance. Ask friends or relatives for recommendations or contact a GAF-certified contractor.
- Getting multiple quotes enables you to compare costs, timelines, and the scope of work included.
- Ensure you get a written contract and read it carefully to understand your responsibilities.
Consistency Matters
Matching a shed roof to your house can give you a consistent look that can pay off with improved curb appeal and increased home value. Use a tool like the GAF Virtual Home Remodeler to see your home with a wide variety of finishes. This can help you pick a color combination that reflects your home's style and your personality.
GAF Timberline HDZ® and Royal Sovereign® asphalt shingles provide durable protection that lasts for many years. To get started on your project, find a GAF-certified contractor in your area.
