Guide To Home Improvement - A New Roof Can Make Your Home More Attractive

Fresh paint and new doors and windows are logical choices when it comes to improving the appearance of your home's exterior. But adding a new roof is yet another way to provide a dramatic--and unexpected--transformation.

Here's a look at how a variety of new roofing materials perform and add to your home's beauty and style:

· Slate lends a look of elegance to your home, as well as a long lifespan, low maintenance, and high resistance to fire, rot, and insects.

· Clay is often the roofing material of choice for southwestern, Spanish Mission, or Italian-style homes. Clay tiles are long-lasting, fire and insect resistant, and won't rot. Clay comes in a variety of colors, types, styles and brands.

· Wood shakes vary by color, width, thickness, and the cut of the wood, lending unmatched character and individuality to any home. Wood helps insulate your home, and it breathes, too, providing excellent air circulation. However, rot and insects can be problems. Wood requires regular maintenance and fire proofing.

· Concrete tiles can be made to mimic wood shakes and also come in lighter-weight tiles and panels. Concrete is low-maintenance, long-lasting, and resists fire, rot, and insects.

· Metal roofs are the most popular roofing choice today due to their durability, energy efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic; plus steel roofing is recyclable.

· Composite shingles, made of asphalt or fiberglass, are a durable and affordable option that come in a wide range of colors.

Whatever new roofing material you choose, you can be sure that it will boost your home's value and improve its curb appeal.

Source

AOL Real Estate, Revive Your Curb Appeal with New Roofing

About the Author

Mary Butler is a Boulder, Colorado-based writer and editor, who spends much of her free time fixing up an old house.