Let me tell you now that choosing a roof type and roof color for your house new or old, is NOT a fun project.
I don’t know the stats but I am sure that many homeowners have ended up in an insane asylum resulting from the stress of selecting roof colors.
I recently recovered from this experience and will try to make the process as easy as I can for you – but don’t get too excited yet. It’s still a difficult process.
Old house or new house, choosing a roof color and roof type is a big decision all homeowners are faced with sooner or later.
In the 1950s through the 1980s there was not many options for residential roofing.
There was one asphalt roof style and roof colors were mostly a boring white or gray asphalt.
Colorful Asbestos composition cement roof 1930’s.
Fortunately today there are many roof styles, types and color options to choose from just like there were 100+ years ago.
This topic is divided into two parts.
- Part 1 will cover the common types of roofs that were used.
- Part 2 will try to ease the agony of choosing a roof color.
I really recommend you read both parts even if you are only concerned about roof color since both topics overlap.
1876 Graystone Lunatic Asylum NJ. Many homeowners ended up here after choosing roof colors.
A Roof is an Important Feature on a House
Roofs throughout history were an important feature on a building and something to be noticed and admired. After WWII however, houses became smaller with lower pitched, less noticeable roofs as with the Ranch style house. Because of this, roofs became unnoticed and uncared about. Unfortunately, because of this you see many tan homes with gray clashing roofs etc.
Before this time, metal roofs and wood shingled roofs were painted to not only to extend the life span of the roof but to look pretty. The popular colors were either red or green. Imagine how pretty that would have looked. A similar view that comes to mind is looking down from a mountain at a European village with bright terra cotta roofs.
Red roofs create a beautiful scenic look in Europe so why not here?
Roofs make a huge contribution to the identity of a house. A roof on a pre-1940 house can command more than a third of the house. This large area becomes a broad canvas for an architectural statement made with color and texture so it is very important to get it right and not neglect your roof.
What Type of Roof is Right For My House?
There were dozens of types of roofing available in 1900 and even more by 1920. An entire website could be dedicated to roofing options throughout history and even today. Today you can even duplicate a French Slate, Terra-cotta, etc. roof that is solar and no one would ever tell the difference.
So, with all the options and variables I will need to greatly simplify the information here.
The Following are the Basic Roof Types:
Wood Shingled Roofs:
Wood shingle roofs have been around since Colonial times fading out in the 1920s with the emergence of asphalt roofs. I have seen wood shingles still offered in builders catalogs in the 1930s. They can be left natural and untouched, aging to a silver color in two years or preserved with a sealer. Many times the wood shingles were painted to add to their lifespan and to provide a better appearance. The life of a new wood shingle roof today is about 20 years. They may be prohibited in many areas due to fire hazard.
Read about Shingle look-a-likes in The Old House Journal Sep-Oct 1994 by Gordon Bock
scroll to page 46.
New wood shingle roof is a new wood color for about one year.
A wood shingle roof will turn a warm silver color after a year.
Metal Roofs:
Although Thomas Jefferson installed a tin roof on his house in the 18th century, the widespread use of metal roofs began many years later. Metal roofs were very utilitarian and used for more simple homes. Its popularity began in the mid-1800s and continued until the metal crunch of World War II. Aside from the popular Standing Seam metal roofs, there were also flat metal and decorative pressed metal roof shingles.
Today Standing Seam roofs are more bulky yet very popular. A Standing Seam metal roof is historic roof that made a comeback and provides a contemporary look on new construction today.
A FLAT metal roof – NOT a metal standing seam roof, is correct for a roof with a shallow shallow pitch. Porch and flat metal roofing is discussed here.
Beware of overly done seams on a Standing-seam roof and metal overlapping the edge of the roof.
Old Standing Seam metal roof on small 1900 Folk Queen Anne Victorian.
Slate Roofs:
The slate roofing industry was at its peak between 1897 and 1914 across the country before loosing ground to other less expensive materials like wood and asphalt shingles which could be more easily mass produced and shipped.
Read about Slate look-a-likes in The Old House Journal Sep-Oct 1994 by Gordon Bock
scroll to page 46.
Slate roof with Yankee gutter circa 1920 is composed of many colors and shades.
Composition Cement Roofs – Asbestos:
Popular in the 1920s and 30s, these asbestos shingles were hexagonal or diamond shaped. They are still available in fiber-cement formulations.
This composition cement roof is from the 1920s. It can be painted red or green for the color has since faded.
Asphalt Roofing:
First used in 1903, in some regional use by 1911 and by 1939 in full swing. A U.S. National Board of Fire Underwriters campaign to eliminate the use of wood shingles on roofs was a contributing factor in the growth in popularity of asphalt shingles during the 1920s. Red or green was frequently the only two colors offered and sometimes black.
This asphalt roof is is a replication of a Composition Cement Asbestos roof of the 1920s-30s. Instead of red or green it is in a warm slate color. (brand and color unknown)
Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla Solar Roof
No ugly solar panels. Tesla solar roofs offer some real nice options.
Roof Styles to Avoid
While you do have flexibility there are some warnings. I do not recommend a metal roof on a large Queen Anne Victorian or a Craftsman house. First check around for there are always regional exceptions. Metal roofs work well on simple roofs but on a more complex Victorian roof especially that with a turret do not use Standing Seam roofs. Metal roofs stopped being sold with metal rationing during WWII and then made a comeback around 2000 for commercial buildings and residential homes.
Popular Roofing by Period
Since the time your house was built, it may have had a few different roof types (wood shingles – slate – asphalt). The best way to start is with a historic photo. Not necessarily a photo from the 1970s but as early as you can find – hopefully from when your house was less than 20 years old.
The house style and period of your house is very important. Also the region where you live. Slate for instance was quarried in New England and would need to be transported by rail to other areas increasing the cost.
Roofing types and material can get complicated so I want to make it simple and provide some guidelines for there will always be exceptions. Remember a historic photo is best and the region you live will make a difference.
The following is my general advice (not prioritized).
- Pre 1850
Natural Wood shingled roof.
Asphalt roof to replicate a wood shingled look.
Any other replication of the above.
- 1850-1880
Metal roof – painted red or green. Gray is ok. (1 floor Victorians are ok – not large Victorians)
Natural Wood shingled roof
Asphalt roof to replicate a wood shingled look.
Any other replication of the above.
- 1880-1920
Metal roof – painted red or green. Gray is ok. (1 floor Victorians are ok not large Victorians. I would not necessarily recommend a metal roof for a Craftsman-Bungalow house)
Slate.
Natural or painted wood shingle – red or green.
Asphalt roof to replicate slate or wood shingles.
Any other replication of the above
- 1920-1940
Painted Wood shingle – red or green.
Asphalt roof in red or green.
Slate.
Composition cement roof.
Asphalt roof to replicate composition cement.
Any replication of the above.
- 1940-1970
Asphalt or slate
Ridge Vent Caution
A ridge vent for a roof is good however you must make sure they are installed for the best appearance.
This is the wrong way for a Ridge Vent. Wrong for appearance that is. Even though this may provide better ventilation, this is stupid looking.
This Ridge Vent look nice and neat.
Other Important Things You Need to Know
Drip Edge – Roof Flashing : Tell your roofer before they start you do NOT want this.
Metal Roofs : More information for an informed decision.
Gutter Options : There are many types of gutters you should know about.
The metal roof shown above is not a standing seam roof. That is a modern exposed fastener roof, made from cheap corrugated steel. It is corrugated because the gauge is so thin thats the only way it can achieve the necessary rigidity. Standing seam is flat panel, with thin vertical ribs as the seams. The aesthetic distance between a true standing seam roof and exposed fastener is as vast a gulf as wood siding vs vinyl siding. True standing seam has concealed fasteners, and has a hand-seamed edge, much thicker gauge metal, and usually has a price to match.These roofing materials are not the same things at all, and one is definitely cheap and crappy. I love you guys but I think you dropped the ball here. Exposed fastener has no place on a historic house IMO.
I did not know that and appreciate your info!!
How do you feel about a standing-seam roof on a 1950 minimal-traditional house? I know such a thing would have been very rare when the house was built. But, as you mentioned, the pitch is low, so the current asphalt shingle roof isn’t a major architectural feature in the first place. Also, 1950 isn’t a truly historic home like many you work with, so maybe staying true to an inferior material is less critical, so long as I stick to a similar color so it is still aesthetically pleasing?
Motivation: My roof is nearing its end-of-life, and I’m seeing that standing-seam metal roofs seem to be superior in terms of protecting the home, plus the lifespan is great (which likely has environmental benefits). Also, I find the simplicity to be quite pleasing aesthetically. But I do try to stay generally true to the design as my grandfather built it, and I don’t want to regret such a major change, but then decisions back then were made due to cost considerations more than anything.
I have seen a mid-century Ranch house with a metal roof and it definitely did NOT look bad. It is just that knowing that it was not used on Ranch houses that made it look weird. Ranch houses along with the newer Split-Level are not considered historic once they pass the 50 year mark. Still to me a Ranch house seems contemporary. Ranch houses are now very popular and people are restoring them and there are sites like https://retrorenovation.com/ . Use your judgement on this.
Oh yeah! We’re very familiar with retrorenovation.com. We’re fortunate enough to have both kitchen and bathroom mostly original from 1950, so that’s a great resource. Thanks!
I asked for the ridge vent to be continued out as pictured, and then ended up with some exposed odd little holes in the end pieces. I objected and was told that brand did not have specific end pieces without holes, and once done, I had to live with it.
I’m not sure if this is true or not, but be aware that this could happen.
Does anyone have any links to modern asbestos diamond style roofs? The author states there are cement fiber options still available but I have only found traditional style and not the diamond style in the USA. Please let me know it’s greatly appreciated 🙂
https://www.oldhouseguy.com/roof-type/There is a photo – is that what you are looking for?