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Top Roofing Shingle Colors For 2021

June 10, 2021 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Choosing the best shingle color for your roof has come a long way over the last few years, you no longer need to use a cookie-cutter style or look for your home. There are so many options you can now choose from that make a huge impact on the aesthetics of your home. Long gone are the days of a boring gray roofing shingle, you can now pick from a wide variety of colors to make your home POP. This creates more of an inviting feel while boosting your curb appeal, to surely make your neighbors envious.

There is no “Best color for roofing shingles,” only the best color for your particular home. This will depend on the color of your home/siding, the style of your home, and the surroundings. There are some top trending shingle roofing material colors of 2021, and they include:

Light brown hues like sand, desert,taupe gray.
Blues such as sky, denim, blue-green.
Greens like forest, moss and hunter.
Off whites, especially in hot climates.

There is of course nothing wrong with the average gray roofing shingle colors, particularly when that is the only color that matches with your home and when your home’s details really stand out.

This home has many pops of white which draw the eye to the trim, having a neutral colored gray roof allows the home to let the details shine on their own. If this owner chose a white roof the aesthetic would not be the same. If you look closely at the siding color it matches very nicely with the color these homeowners chose for their roof. Choosing the right color can be a very tough decision, consulting with your local roofing company is a good start to get some ideas. Most companies will have larger samples available to be viewed in their showroom, this will help give you a better idea of what the overall roof will look like.

Have you ever decided on changing the paint color in a room in your home, only to get one wall done and it looks nothing like the tiny swatch that you choose? This can be a similar process, sometimes a dark charcoal looks great until you see your entire roof looks black and that may not be the look you had in mind. Starting with the color or your home’s siding or whether it’s brick, or even stone, is a good place to consider which colors you might choose.

The best color combinations for your roof and siding

If your home is red or brick colored then the best color combination would be a darker hue for the roof. You can choose between shades of black or darkest gray that would compliment the house color well. If your home is white or light colored, choosing primary colors for the roof is best. Having a white home gives you many options when deciding on the shingle roofing material color, you should take note of the types of details that are on the outside of your home. Do you have a certain color stone or trim? It would make these details pop by adding that detailed color to your roof, even matching the shutters is a great idea.

If your home’s siding is gray, a very common color combination you will see is a gray roof of another shade that doesn’t exactly match the siding of your home. You don’t want the entire house to look like one color blob, you want there to be some dimension. A common choice for homeowners is to choose a darker roof gray than the siding like pictured above. Of course gray is not the only option for the roof, some other colors that work beautifully are hues of blue and light shades. In the more recent years blue siding has become very popular and gives the home a very unique look when done properly. If you are stuck on deciding which color will go great with your blue home, try shades like dark charcoal or lighter grays that will make your home stand out.

Brown homes that have light beige or tan roofs work well or if you would like something less traditional a dark green roof is a unique blend. As we have pictured above a woodsy type of setting is perfect for a combination of a brown home and green roof. As you can see pairing light and dark colors together creates the perfect balance to set your home apart from the rest. If you think of it like putting together the perfect outfit, this can give you a different perspective on what will go together. The key to boosting your home’s curb appeal is making your color choice stand out. You don’t need to own a massive home to make it beautiful and eye-catching, it’s all in the details.

When you should use a dark or light hue for your roofing shingle material

Continuing with the trend of creating contrast between your home’s siding and roof, there are a few do’s and don’t-s when choosing the perfect color for your home’s roof. In general you want your home to stand out in the neighborhood when being compared to other surrounding homes. It creates great resale value for you and overall looks much better than blending in with the crowd. When you get a new roof dark colors are more eye-catching than a lighter dull shade.

Darker shingle roofing materials work great for multi-level homes, this is because it draws more attention to the various levels giving it overall dimension. By using darker tones you can create a balance especially with low pitched roofs. Be cautious of using dark hues on a high pitched roof because it will distract from the rest of the home and take over where the eye follows.

Along with the most popular trends of roofing shingle material colors comes other categories like metal roofing, solar roofs, and even flat roofing colors. Some of these other types of roofing materials are becoming popular and very diverse in the color options that are now available for you to customize your home with.

Just because your home has a flat roof doesn’t mean you are stuck with only one option, you have the choice of choosing various colors or even an Eco-friendly green roof. These “green roofs” have so many benefits for your home and the planet. Of course this would be very different than a traditional shingle roofing installation, if a green roof interests you then contact your local roofing company and get more information.

What is Safe to Attach to a Shingle Roof?

August 26, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

From satellite dishes to security cameras there are many home accessories that you may want to attach to the roof of your home. It is always a good idea to consult with your local roofing contractors before nailing anything into your roof. You can increase the risk of roof leaks if you try and attach something without professional guidance. The makers of these home accessories may not fully understand roofing materials and not warn against the attachment. We will help you better understand the do’s and don’ts of common items that you might be thinking about attaching to your roof, and also where these items should really be hung.

Can I nail into my roof?

The whole point to a quality roofing system is designed to keep water out of your home. There are many components of a quality roofing system which include an underlayment, ice and water protection, shingles and flashing. Together all of these layers put down by your local roofing contractor, forces water into your gutters and away from your home. Driving even just a single nail into your roof can compromise the entire roofing system. That single nail will penetrate through the shingles, to the underlayment creating a hole in your roof. The next time it rains water can enter that small hole and bypass each layer laid down by your roofing contractor, and trickle down into your attic. All from just a single nail you may have yourself a small leak, and even small leaks can cause major issues for your home.

Your certified roofing contractor uses plenty of nails while installing your new roofing system, but this is done in a specific way so that each nail is covered by the shingle above it. Each shingle needs to lay flat against your roof in order to work properly, even a nail not driven all the way through can cause problems. The nail will prop the shingle up slightly letting in more than enough water to cause a leak, if your roofing contractor adds another nail beneath the shingle it will lay flat.

Common home accessories

Can I attach an antenna to my roof?

We always suggest that you consult your local roofing contractor to attach anything to your roof, even a small antenna. In order to properly mount an antenna to your roof without damaging it the antenna needs to be attached to the gable, the fascia, or chimney. A non penetrating mount can also be used that manipulates the use of weights rather than screws to be held in place. There are many options available to mount your antenna that does not require being nailed or screwed into your roof. A free standing antenna in your backyard, or a bracket that attaches to another part of your roofing system is a better choice. Always check with your roofing contractor if the bracket provided is appropriate for its use and your roofing system.

Can I mount a security camera on my roof?

Most home security cameras are not attached directly to the roof and manufacturers do not recommend it. Although most surveillance cameras are weatherproof, snow and high winds can decrease their lifespan. If your security camera was sitting on top of your roof and 5 inches of snow came, it would be buried and no help to you. Inclement weather will also distort its view or leave water droplets on the lens making its image blurry.

Manufacturers suggest mounting your surveillance camera to the soffit of your quality roofing system. The soffit is located directly underneath the roof’s eave. Although the soffit is constructed from wood, the bottom layer is usually aluminum or vinyl which has vents to allow your attic to breathe. To properly secure the security camera to the base of the soffit it must be fastened through the vinyl/aluminum and onto the wooden truss. The vinyl or aluminum is not strong enough to hold the camera and it may fall out over time.

Can I attach flower baskets to my roof?

While flower baskets are beautiful and add to your homes curb appeal, you should never attach flower baskets to your roof or soffit. You may see some flower baskets hanging by a chain from the soffit of a home, this is not wise unless the chain is connected to a structural component of your quality roofing system. Your roofing contractor can properly attach your baskets to the chain without causing damage. The vinyl or aluminum part of the soffit of your roof can not handle the weight that comes with hanging a flower basket. It is important to remember that each time you add water to your flowers its weight increases. Special brackets are available that are placed in different areas of your home like on porch railings, fence posts or the sides of walls that are durable like brick.

Can I attach a pergola to my shingle roof?

You might be interested in adding a backyard structure that attaches to your roof such as a pergola, it is more complicated than you may think. Before attaching anything to your roof, always consult with your trusted local roofing contractor first. Like we explained previously, nailing into shingles can cause damage or leaks. There are other options available to you like a free standing pergola or structure that is close enough to your home, without having to drill or nail into your roof.

Can I attach solar panels to my roof?

Solar panels can be installed to your shingle roof only by a trained roofing contractor or solar specialist. It is important to note that if you chose to install solar panels yourself and leaks were caused by its anchor points, this will not be covered by your shingle limited warranty.

Can I attach Christmas Decorations?

There is nothing more magical than driving around your neighborhood around Christmas time and seeing all the beautiful light and decorations. If you are eager to contribute to the Christmas spirit it is important to know the appropriate way to hang your decorations. We advise that you do not attempt to hang any decorations when there is ice or snow visible or wet weather conditions. It is imperative to follow safety guidelines when walking on your roof to avoid the risk of damaging the shingles. If you choose to add large decorations to your roof it is best to consult with your roofing consultant on how to do so. Special clips are made so that no screws or nails are necessary to hang lights from your roof.

How Long Will My Roof Last?

June 22, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

How long will my roof last? This varies a lot due to different material choices. The best roofing contractors are skilled at installing many different systems. Poorly installed roofing shingles may only last until high winds come sweeping through your town! A well installed roofing system is going to last longer than the manufacturer warranties it for. Many factors go into the life expectancy of roofing shingles, including southern facing exposure, drastic temperature changes in different regions, the amount of trees and shade the roof receives, severe or coastal weather, the roofing contractor’s skill level, and of course the brand of shingles and underlayments.

Shingle roofing systems – local roofing contractors who are certified usually are the best choice for installing a new shingle roof because they can offer the extended manufacturer’s warranty. Most certified roofing installers have been trained to install a roof per spec and can not get a manufacturer’s certification without the know how. This alone will usually guarantee your roof installation is performed correctly; having enough nails to prevent high wind blow-offs, installing all flashing correctly to prevent premature leaks and guaranteeing the use of premium roofing materials since most manufacturers will not extend a warranty with the use of knock-off materials. When the best roofing contractors install a fully warrantied roofing system, you can expect to get 20-25 years out of a moderately weathered and or sheltered home.

Having a lot of trees around your home can either be great or detrimental to your roof’s life expectancy. Often, trees will cause more harm than good to your roof for the following reasons:

Branches or even the trees themselves can fall and damage your roof.
Other debris such as leaves and needles can also cause issues, blocking your gutters and valleys and encouraging the growth of mold.
Trees can cause moss and lichen to grow on your roof. Once the moss reaches a certain point it starts getting in between the roofing shingles. If this happens, the moss will absorb any moisture and feeds right onto your roof decking, where it causes further damage. At this point, if your roof is not already leaking then it will be soon. If things progress this far, it will cost much more to repair later.
If the trees are too close, animals may be tempted to jump to or nest on your roof.
Too much shade can mean that your roof does not dry off quickly. It can also mean that snow will linger around much longer on your rooftop. This can be detrimental to your roof if ice dams form consistently over time.

However, in the right environment, trees could also be very beneficial to your roof for the following reasons:

These trees may actually help your roof last longer by protecting it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. UV rays will contribute to the breakdown of the components of your roofing system over time. These components are rated to last a certain amount of time in direct sunlight, but often they would last much longer in a more shaded environment.
The right trees can also protect your home from storms and harsh weather without putting your property at more risk.
Shade from trees can help your home stay cooler in the summer and reduce the strain on your air conditioning units.

A well sheltered asphalt shingle roof will last 25-30 years. These well-sheltered houses would also most likely benefit from having gutter guards installed as some houses in the woods need to have their gutters cleaned up to 5 times a year.

The quality of shingle will also greatly affect the roofing system’s life expectancy. Top brand shingle manufacturing companies have developed their roofing shingles through years and years of research and development. GAF’s test lab recently installed a roof using no nails or any fasteners. The roof was put under extreme 140 mph wind conditions and remained fully intact. GAF is also the only shingle company that makes a shingle that is 50% thicker, known as their ULTRA line. These shingles are known to last anywhere from 30-35 years and also improve the looks of the roof because the increased thickness increases the shadow lines creating more contrast for an overall fancier look. As an experienced local roofing company, we can tell you that no other roofing manufacturer comes close to rivalling the consistently high quality of GAF’s shingles.

The quality of underlayments used under the roofing shingles will be another determining factor on how long your roof will last. An upgraded GAF Deck Armor roof allows the decking to breathe while not letting moisture in. This will allow your house’s attic to remain cooler in the hot months decreasing the overall roof temperature preventing the shingles from prematurely aging due to extreme temperatures. Also a higher quality Ice and Water shield will stick tight to the nails penetrating it so that no moisture will get in between the nail holes if you do have ice dams building up along your eaves. A lot of roofing contractors will try and save hundreds of dollars by using the cheap store brands of ice and water which do not really fully adhere to the roof decking, allowing ice build up to rot out the bottom few feet of decking.

Metal roofing systems have an average life expectancy of about 50 years. It is important to only use contractors who have experience installing metal as it is a highly skilled trade. Metal is something you put on your forever home. Standing seam is the Cadillac of metal roofing and is going to have little to no maintenance due to a snap lock panel system. Corrugated roofing is more economical but will need some maintenance from time to time because it has exposed fasteners. These exposed fasteners have little rubber washers creating a watertight seal that eventually fail over the course of the roof’s lifespan. To properly maintain these penetrations and avoid leaks they will need to be caulked after about 20 years. Taking into consideration the maintenance and overall price of a corrugated metal roofing system, it still remains a huge ROI compared to two and a half lifespans of shingles.

Cedar shakes can be expected to last around 30 years. This system will need some maintenance from time to time. The color of cedar shakes darkens and looks more natural as years go on. The overall cost of a cedar shake roofing system does end up costing around the same price as metal but will not last as long and is typically only purchased for aesthetic purposes. Cedar shakes do come in metal and composite look-a-likes which will have a longer lifespan of 50 years. Most local roofing companies will not install cedar shakes due to inexperience.

Slate is the longest lasting roofing product to this date. Some slate had lasted almost a hundred years in the right conditions. Most slate is going to start looking rough and needing continuous maintenance after about 75 years. Slate now comes in composites and can be expected to last just as long as real slate. Local roofing companies who can install slate are usually hard to come by. Most local roofing contractors will not quote for or repair slate, as you have to be so highly skilled or you can easily cause more damage than good.

Rubber roofing or EPDM roofing is most commonly used for flat commercial roofing or smaller porch roof sections on residential homes and will last between 20-25 years. Most manufacturers offer 20 year full coverage warranties if you use their full roofing system, meaning you have to use all quality, name brand seam tape and cover tape. Commercial roofing companies are usually certified by manufacturers because high standards must be met in order for the manufacturers to back their labor and material warranties once they are installed. Commercial roofing manufacturers will send roofing inspectors out after the work is complete to check it meets all their requirements. If the contractors work is sub-par a warranty will not be issued until all aspects have been installed to spec.

A TPO roofing system will last twenty to twenty five years. Only the best roofing contractors in each area will be geared towards installing TPO. Local roofing contractors usually don’t install this system because they do not have the expensive equipment needed to perform heat welds. TPO is also a white reflective roof which will add years to your cooling units lifespans.

Overall you only need high quality materials and high quality workmanship to get the most bang for your buck over the long term. The best way to get the longest potential lifespan out of a roofing system is to choose a quality product that offers a full warrantied system which has to use all high quality accessories to qualify for full coverage. Make sure to ask your contractor which materials are being used and check the contract for brand names on underlayments.

Choosing certified roofing installers who back their work up with their own in house warranty is the safest bet to achieve maximum lifetime efficiency out of the materials you invest in. Check that the local roofing company is listed on any websites they claim to be certified by to ensure that you will receive an actual manufacturers warranty. Most shingle companies will mail you a warranty within a month after your replacement offering you peace of mind for many years to come.