I am purchasing this chalet style cabin that is going to need immediate repairs and upgrades. The work is going to be done just after closing and before I move in. I am going to have to make decisions on the roof and siding before I even get to spend time there, so I am hoping some more experienced people have some good "budget" suggestions. I am thinking I will go with black shingles for the roof, but I am open to suggestions. The gable/window wall is going to be rebuilt with the same style and windows that it currently has (loose, shaky wall, not built to code), but it will need new siding. The front (short side) of the cabin is going to be getting a floating gable porch roof with 10 foot wide steps going straight up to the door, too. Additionally, the decorative rafter tails are rotten, so those will be sawed-off and I will be having gutters installed. Some siding on the house has water damage and rot, so it needs to be replaced. Since some of it has to be replaced I am wondering if I should go for a whole new look. Part of me wants to keep a similar look to what it has now, but part of me wants to see what some other options are. I don't have much vision or experience with this, so I would love to hear what others have to say. By the way, the "glamor shot" angle from the bottom of the property looking up at the gable, window wall is not really an angle anyone will ever see. You drive up and park at the short side, where the new gable porch cover will be. I do want to make sure the roof and siding don't clash with the two decks, too.