Dark architectural shingles contrast beautifully with a house’s brick exterior

Popular roofing styles and roofing trends to watch in 2023

Whether you realize it or not, a home’s roof makes a strong first impression on everyone who passes by. A roof’s architectural style and the material used to cover it are important facets of a home’s overall curb appeal. Depending on the roof’s style, it may be the first thing noticed, especially if the homesite sits on a downward slope from the road. In some architectural styles, especially in contemporary homes that feature cathedral ceilings, the roof can play a prominent role in the façade. Other homes, such as those with side-facing gambrel or barn roofs commonly used in Dutch Colonial architecture, are specifically designed to downplay the roof’s prominence from the front view.

The style of your roof can affect the material choice for your roof. In general, the more complex the roof design — with multiple slopes and dormers — the more susceptible it is to leaks in connecting areas where leaves and moisture collect.

A Mansard-style roof with dark-colored architectural shingles on the straight-pitched sides

Consider this to be a little primer on roofing trends both in terms of architectural shingle styles and in the roofing material for the roof itself.

Five popular roof styles

1. Gable Roof

Your basic roof, with a flat slope in front and back that creates a triangular shape on the sides and provides an attic space inside. Multiple gables may be added to the basic roof to add more interest to the design.

2. Hip Roof

With four sloping sides creating a ridge peak in the middle, the hip roof is one of the most common roof styles. These roofs are extremely stable — good for areas with high winds — and the roof surface is especially visible, so the selection of roof material is important in adding to the home’s curb appeal.

3. Dormer Roof

Dormers are not a roof style of their own, but dormers are added to many roof designs. Dormers project from the roof line to provide windows to add natural light to attics and upper-story rooms. They also add design appeal to plain roofs. One drawback is that they often require more maintenance to prevent leaks.

4. Mansard Roof

Built with four double-sloped sides that are joined with a relatively flat roof in the middle, this roof style is associated with French architecture. The roof is often adorned with dormer windows to allow light into the attic space it creates.

5. Gambrel Roof

This barn-style roof is often selected to extend attic or loft space. The gambrel roof has two slopes on either side, one steep and one more gentle. Depending on how the home is placed on the lot, a gambrel roof sloping on the home’s sides can allow for a higher front façade, or if the roof slopes front and back, the roof becomes a focal point of the façade.

6. Flat Roof

Commonly used in commercial buildings such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities, flat roofs are sometimes seen in contemporary home construction and additions. Although they appear flat, these roofs have a very slight slope to allow runoff and prevent moisture from collecting. These roofs are prone to leaks but are generally simple to repair due to the simple building materials used for this construction. These roofs are not appropriate for areas that receive heavy snowfalls or an abundance of rain.

Popular trends in roofing materials

Asphalt shingles on the many facets of a cross-gable roof on a brick house

Different roof styles call for different roofing materials and types of roof shingles to make the most of the home’s design and add to the life of the roof itself. Here are a few that are trending:

1. Architectural Asphalt Shingles

Hands down, asphalt shingles are the most popular and affordable roofing material. The “architectural” versions add greater depth and texture to the roof, similar to very expensive slate shingles that are beautiful but heavy and difficult to repair or wood shake roofs that require flame retardant treatments and are susceptible to termite damage.

Fiberglass asphalt shingles are constructed of a woven fiberglass base mat, covered with a waterproof asphalt coating, and topped with ceramic granules that shield the product from harmful UV rays. Asphalt shingles come in a very broad range of colors to match or blend with any home’s siding. They are appropriate for any of the above-mentioned roof styles except the flat roof.

2. Metal

The use of metal in roofing is not new but has been considered trendy in recent years. Metal roofing of aluminum, steel, or copper is extremely durable and will not absorb water. It’s able to withstand high winds and is popular in coastal regions. The only downside to metal is that it can be noisy and, depending on color, can conduct heat in rooms with no attic above. Flat metal panels look great on gable and hip-style roofs. Metal shingles work well with mansard-style roofs.

3. Solar Panels or Solar Shingles

Rooftop solar panels have increased in popularity in recent years as their greater affordability makes them a wise choice to dramatically offset the cost of electricity. While they are not a roofing material exactly, they are a common sight on many home styles. Gable, hip, and flat roofs lend themselves to solar panels because they can be easily hidden on the rear slope of the roofs. Expect to see the solar panel trend continue as we see tax savings contribute to their popularity.

Solar Shingles are an exciting new option that protect a home just like traditional asphalt shingles but work like solar panels to give you energy independence with an attractive look for your roof. New Solar Energy Shingles by GAF combine innovative, extremely low-profile photovoltaic cells with quality asphalt shingles to give homeowners the most affordable, functional solar shingle available.

Easier to install and more discrete than panels, the entire installation system is done with nails instead of cumbersome racks or mounts. The compact size allows them to be used in areas where traditional panels won’t fit. And here’s a plus — along with their water-shedding capabilities, these shingles are warranted to withstand winds up to 130 mph and temperatures of 122 degrees. Just another day in Texas!

4. Green, Eco-Friendly Roofing

A living roof is a serious investment in planning but offers the benefits of good insulation, reduced runoff, and durability. The water absorption of a green roof prevents flooding around the home and keeps contaminated runoff out of the water supply. A waterproof membrane and a root barrier are required to protect the roof, and you’ll need an irrigation system to supply water to the many layers of vegetation. But, hey, how cool would it be to have lush greenery adorning your home? Green roofs can add interest to many contemporary-style homes or cottage designs and work well on flat roofs.

When you’re ready to discuss roofing services, replacements, and repairs, depend on the local specialists at Stonewater Roofing. Stonewater is a local family-owned business in Tyler, Texas, with more than 12 years of expert roofing experience specializing in damage repair that produces results as if the damage never happened. We’re also your local solar power solutions experts. Contact Stonewater for a free damage or solar assessment.