When selecting new siding for your home, there are several factors to weigh. The right exterior house cladding will not only look good, it will also protect your home from weather damage and will help the interior stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In terms of aesthetics, keep in mind the architectural style of your home, the material of your roof, exterior home design trends and your own personal preferences for color, contrast and texture.
Architectural Style
Consider the style of your home, as well as that of your neighborhood, when selecting siding and roofing. For maximum curb appeal, be sure the siding and roofing reflects your home’s architectural style. Also, consider any permanent fixtures such as columns, an attached porch or deck or a brick chimney when making a siding and roofing selection. Traditional homes, such as Colonial or Craftsman, often stand out in a classic or neutral color palette with standard-width horizontal siding and subtle contrast for the roof color (see example below). Meanwhile, Mid-Century Modern homes may lend themselves to darker, wider siding with a contrasting trim or roofing color. Vertical siding is another option that can add design interest to a Modern home. Contemporary homes can carry stronger colors for siding or roofing. The style of home also does well in a neutral color with bold accents. Earth tones or a rustic red work great for farmhouse style homes and often pair well with cedar shake roofing or even copper for a modern farmhouse aesthetic.
Color and Contrast
According to several roofing manufacturers, the most popular colors for roofing materials are currently variations of black, gray, silver and bronze. Some homeowners appreciate a contrasting style – for example a light colored siding with a dark roof or a dark siding with a light roof (see leftmost example below). Others prefer to keep everything in the same color family, such as the center example below featuring blue-gray siding and a light gray asphalt roof. A current popular trend is to use black or charcoal as an accent color for the window and door trim, soffit, porch balusters and roof shingles. When black is used in this way, as a high-contrast accent, it is often paired with shades of white, gray or brown (see righmost example below).
Vinyl and PVC siding are both available in a wide variety of colors. Some PVC siding, such as Wolf’s high-density cellular Portrait siding offer the look and feel of wood clapboards. The most popular colors for Vinyl and PVC siding are variations on gray, blue, beige, sage and white.
Texture
Texture can be a more subtle way to add some extra pizzazz to your home’s styling without resorting to a strong color or a high-contrast color combination. Light colored siding tends to show texture more noticeably than dark. Shake shingles and vertical shiplap or board and batten vinyl and PVC siding will all boost a home’s texture. Often, these elements can be used to accent specific features, such as gables or dormers, while maintaining more traditional, horizontal siding for the rest of the house.
Material Selection and Pricing
Aesthetics are important, but material selection is paramount when selecting a siding and roofing combination. Remember that the primary job for your roof and your siding is to protect your home from the elements. New Jersey generally has hot, humid summers and cold winters – often with a fair amount of snow and ice. Spring and Fall can bring heavy rains, sometimes with hurricane level winds. In this type of climate, it is important to have sliding and roofing that will not peel, curl, crack, fade or blow away in a strong gust of wind. Organic and fiberglass asphalt shingles, cedar shake roofing, slate roofing and copper roofing are all excellent options for New Jersey’s varied weather conditions. Similarly, vinyl and PVC siding will protect a New Jersey home from mold, rot and high winds and will also offer protection from insects. The most affordable siding and roofing combination is generally vinyl siding with an asphalt shingle roof. But other combinations, such as PVC siding with slate roofing, can provide extremely high insulation and durability resulting in long-term savings in terms of maintenance and energy costs.
Consult With a Roofing and Siding Expert
The roofing and siding experts at Alte Exteriors can offer options for you to consider for your home’s siding and roofing. We sell some of the best brands in the industry with excellent track records for longevity, hardiness and cost-effectiveness. Contact Alte Exteriors today for a consultation. We are a family owned and operated, second generation New Jersey roofing company. Our expert roofing and siding consultants are familiar with current exterior home design trends. We can help you evaluate different roofing and siding materials based on your home’s location and architectural style and your criteria for durability, cost and energy efficiency.