Whether you’re moving soon or on some to-be-determined date, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your home’s curb appeal. The better your property looks from the curb, the higher a price you can charge when meeting with buyers – and the more cash you'll have for a down payment on another property in your new hometown!

Aside from windows, front doors, and yard décor, your home’s roof heavily determines its aesthetic appeal and eventual price on the market. Today, let’s break down some popular types of roofs and see how each might be ideal for your next home renovation.

Why do roofs matter so much, anyway?

Think of what you see when you come home from work at the end of the day or when you return from walking the dog. Your home’s major aesthetic features stand out: the front door, the wide windows, the yard, and the roof.

Your roof massively affects what your home looks like, and its attributes can certainly color what a prospective buyer might think when they roll up for a first-time tour. Your roof’s shape, color, the quality of the shingles on top, and even its cleanliness can all determine whether someone has a positive or negative first impression of your property.

Beyond that, your roof’s type and durability can be somewhat – though not perfectly – gauged from a brief glance. The stronger and better the roof looks, the higher value your property will feel right from the get-go. That’s why gutters are valuable additions. A full set of shielded gutters, like those protected by Leaf Relief Gutter Guards, will tell a potential buyer you take care of your property, adding to its appeal.

Stellar roof shingles to boost curb appeal

With that in mind, it makes a lot of sense to at least refresh your roof’s shingles if you plan on selling in the foreseeable future. Depending on your budget and preferences, several different types of shingles could be what you’re looking for.

Luxury asphalt shingles

First up are luxury asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles, in general, are extremely common, but luxury asphalt shingles look better, last longer, and are more durable since they are larger and thicker than their more basic counterparts. Luxury asphalt shingles are notable since they look like slate shingles without costing as much. However, they are a little more expensive compared to the next shingle type.

Composite asphalt shingles

On the other hand, you can swap out your current shingles with more affordable, highly durable composite asphalt shingles. These shingles are made of a composite of rubber, plastic, and engineered polymers.

Crucially, composite shingles are modeled from real slate plates, and many come with chisel marks to lend a handcrafted look to your property. Most of the time, neighbors and would-be buyers won't be able to tell the difference between composite asphalt and luxury asphalt shingles, so feel free to choose between these based on your budget.

Cedar shake shingles

Maybe you want the real deal, though. In that case, cedar shake shingles are what you’re looking for. These premium roofing systems are made of natural cedar materials and provide an aesthetically pleasing touch to your property.

But while cedar shake shingles look fantastic, keep in mind that they are a little more vulnerable to fire damage. Still, odds are good that adding cedar shingles to your roof (or choosing a roof that comes with cedar shingles from the start) will significantly boost your property’s value.

Slate roof tiles

Slate roof tiles are alternative premium roofing shingles made of natural slate tiles and other materials. When they are properly installed, they can last for 75 years or longer, and they look beautiful from the start. Just keep in mind that slate shingles are pretty heavy, so your roof has to be initially constructed with them in mind.

There are plenty of composite slate shingle options to choose from, too, many of which blend the look of natural slate tiles with affordability. CertainTeed’s Grand Manor shingles exemplify this perfectly!

Types of roofs you – and future owners – might like

The shingles adorning your roof aren't the only things that impact its curb appeal. Your roof’s type – meaning its shape and silhouette – also matters aesthetically and practically. As you might expect, your roof slope affects how easily rain, snow, and other debris tend to shed off into your gutters.

Consider these different types of roofs if you’re thinking about a full-on roof replacement, whether as an upgrade or due to storm damage to your existing roof.

Gable roofs

Gable roofs are simple, popular roof styles essentially shaped like a triangle. The slopes of the roof rise and meet at the center ridge of your house. However, some gable roofs have more creative designs or silhouettes.

Clipped gable roofs are offshoots of this core type. Also called bullnose roofs, clipped gable roofs have the same basic shape, but their top peaks bend inward to create small hips at the ends of your roof's ridges on the front and/or back. They're a little more visually interesting and are perfect for showing off those high-value, shiny shingles mentioned above.

Or you can try Dutch gable roofs. These combination-style rooftops incorporate design elements from hip roofs (see below) and gable roofs, featuring small gablets or secondary roofs atop traditional hip roofs. They are also great for showing off your shingles if you are so inclined.

Hip roofs

Hip roofs are traditional rooftops with four equal-length slopes that meet in the middle to form a basic ridge at the peak. However, these roofs can come in variations or be combined with other roofing styles, as seen above with Dutch gable roofs.

Gambrel roofs

Gambrel roofs are classic barn-style roofs – picture a stereotypical red barn on a farm, and you know exactly what these look like. Since both long sides of the roof have two slopes each, they're great for maximizing attic or upper floor space and ensuring that rain and snow shed right off.

Mansard roofs

Then there are mansard roofs, which originated in France, but they’re also highly popular in the U.S. Taking inspiration from French architecture, these roofs have four-sided designs with double slopes. The lower slopes are always quite steep and can be almost vertical. Several variations are available with flat or curved peaks.

Shed roofs

Shed roofs are modern and minimalist. Picture your roof’s peak, then draw a straight, diagonal line down to the wall – that’s what a shed roof looks like. Like a lean-to shelter, shed roofs are good for keeping snow and dirt off your roof, and they pair perfectly with more modern architectural styles, including modern doors and windows.

Flat roofing

You might also consider a flat or low-slope roof. True to their names, flat roofs are mostly flat (they have slight inclines to help water drain to the gutters), so they’re perfect if you have an older-style home built between the 1940s and 1970s. It’s evocative of the mid-century modern architectural style, and it could be a good choice if your home has wide, open floor plans for many of its big rooms, like the living room or kitchen.

How to know which type of roof is best

With so many different types of roofs to choose from, you might not know where to start or which is best for your property. Speaking to an expert – who can assess the state of your current roof, figure out the overall dimensions you’re working with, and give you a quote – is a wise idea.

That’s where Window World can help. Many of our franchises offer roofing solutions, ranging from full-on new roofs to protective gutters and more. More importantly, we can advise you on the ideal, best-looking roof for your home to maximize curb appeal and practical value. Contact us today or get in touch with your local Window World's showroom to learn more.