2021 Roofing & Home Exterior Trends
The infamous year of 2020 is nearly behind us! And as we plunge headfirst into this brand new year (and new decade), it’s time to explore a few home exterior trends that are on deck for 2021. Some of these trends are purely aesthetic for enhancing your home’s uniqueness and curb appeal, while others are meant to set homeowners up with a more economical or energy-efficient future in their home. So, what’s in store for the new decade? Let’s dive in!
Asphalt Shingle Color Trends
Since they are the most common and popular roof material, we are going to start by discussing some trending colors for asphalt shingles.
Shingles of a darker color can make a noticeable difference and bring some noticeable contrast to your home. Other color trends include light greens and blues, as well as more neutral colors like and beige or off-white.
Looking to add more dimension and texture to your roof? Alternating colors or blending colors can do just that for you!
2021 trending shingle colors, at a glance:
Light and subtle greens (forest green, hunter green, rustic evergreen)
Light and pale blues (Atlantic blue, sky blue, denim)
Beige and off-white (stone, khaki, tan)
Taupe and light brown hues (sand, desert, taupe gray)
Want to see what different shingle colors might look like on your home? Upload a photo and customize your home using CertainTeed’s COLORVIEW® App. Click the button below to try it for FREE.
Metal Roofing: Popularity Expected to Continue
Metal roofs are by no means a new roofing option; however, they have certainly undergone a resurgence of popularity lately. In fact, a recent roofing study from Cleveland-based The Freedonia Group found that the U.S. demand for metal roofing is expected to rise 2.7% per year to 32.63 million squares (1 square = 100 sq-ft. of roof) in 2023. For residential roofing, the study claims this above-average rate of growth will be due in part to homeowners’ interest in installing metal roofing to create a more unique exterior appearance than asphalt shingles. The talk of the neighborhood, if you will.
All about the aesthetics
Metal roofing designed to resemble red clay tile.
Metal roofs come in a variety of styles and colors, and they are adaptable to have the look and feel of other types of construction materials like slate, clay tile, and even wood shakes. Although metal roofs can cost 20% more per square than traditional asphalt roofing, they do provide significant long-term, low maintenance performance.
“Metal’s ability to look like other construction materials will also support its use in a vast array of home projects primarily because of its ability to mimic other materials but with the added benefits of durability and longevity,” explains Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA). “Architectural styles,” adds Ramey, “are a big factor in roof selection as well. A homeowner’s understanding that metal roofing can literally look like any other roofing material on the market is big for metal roofing as it removes any aesthetic barriers that may exist.”
Surprisingly Energy-Efficient
Additionally, many people are simply unaware of the energy-efficiency benefits that metal roofing can add. When contractors really begin to delve into the material selection and heat reflection coatings of metal roofs, homeowners will find out exactly how much metal roofings can help with energy costs. Asphalt roofs can head up your attic, thus heating up your house. If the heat is blocked out, your air conditioning costs are likely to decrease. These are some other factors to consider if the up-front cost of metal roofing causes some sticker shock.
Painted Brick
One of the more surprising trends that surfaced in recent years and that we will continue to see in 2021 is painted brick exteriors. While it’s been much less common in the past, more and more homeowners are giving their standard red, tan, or brown brick homes a complete makeover.
This design trend has seen mixed reviews since it’s virtually impossible to “go back” to the original brick color once paint is added. However, it can give new life to a home exterior that feels dated and open it up to completely different roof, shutter, and door options that would otherwise clash with the original brick color. And for some homes built in the groovy 70s era, where brick has already been washed over with gaudy yellows, oranges, or even greens, a new coat of white or neutral paint can be a breath of fresh air.
If you’re willing to make the leap and commit to the painted brick, more power to you!
The Power of the Pergolas
Popular wood lattice-style pergola. Perfect for poolside patios!
Okay…what is a pergola? Well, if you haven’t heard of a pergola, we’d be willing to bet you’ve seen one before.
Pergolas are outdoor structures made up of columns that support a roofing grid of beams and rafters. The roofs of pergolas may be left open to let sunlight peek through, or be covered to add some protection from precipitation or to provide shade. They can be large or small, free-standing, or attached to your house, wood or vinyl, depending on your preference.
For homes that don’t have outdoor porches, adding a pergola over a patio or outdoor sitting area can be a stunning and practical addition to your home. From visor-type garage pergola or a modern pergola over porches, they are a hot item for 2021!
Shingles Are Going Solar
Solar panels are pretty awesome, but homeowners are often hesitant to add them because of their size and appearance when installed on roofs. Enter solar shingles.
Solar shingles are pretty much exactly what they sound like—mini solar panels designed to look more like run-of-the-mill shingles. This relatively new technology is designed to protect your roof and have the same durability and flexibility as regular shingles but with the ability to use the Sun’s solar energy to generate power for your home. Each solar shingle can produce between 13 and 63 watts of energy, depending on the brand of solar roof shingles. They are lightweight and relatively easy to install, and just like ordinary shingles, they are designed to protect your home from rain, wind, and hail.
Like many building materials, solar shingles do have some disadvantages, especially when compared “apples to apples” to traditional solar panels. Solar shingles have actually been observed to be slightly less energy efficient than panels, and you’ll likely need a particular roof slope with high sunlight exposure to reap the renewable power benefits. Additionally, the lifespan is less than panels, many solar installers do not offer solar shingles (YET), since it is still growing in popularity and availability. as they are still growing in popularity. Cost of installation is also a factor, as solar shingle roofs can cost $60,000 or more (depending on roof size).