Software
Houzz Logo Print
mg4736

My new ugly roof. Ideas?

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I had my roof replaced last week. The moment I saw the shingles going on the front left I realized the mistake I had made.

I selected the certainteed landmark pro shingles because I liked the color variation (in isolation). Weathered wood color. But when combined with the stone on the front of my house, the colors are very similar (too similar?) the two patterns butting up against each other clash/compete/are too busy. Needless to say I hate the look.

Obviously changing the new roof is out. And I can't stomach painting or otherwise permanently altering the stone. It's wissahickon schist, common to the area and I really like it on its own.

Ideas for how to distract the eye from noticing those two patterns so close together? I'd love to paint the stucco and replace the vinyl siding.

I've attached some photos. Just know that everything is a lot more apparent in person. The overgrown bushes are gradually getting trimmed to a shorter height. The photoshopped house is the only potential color combination I've found that I like, but it's really loud for our neighborhood.

(And for anyone who notices the missing trim on the porch post, it's in progress)







Comments (12)

  • PRO
    5 years ago


    Another option if you forgo the shutters.

    Mary G thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 5 years ago

    I suggest that you wait and see how the roof weathers. I won't be surprised if the variation is a bit toned down by spring.

    Mary G thanked Jennifer K
  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    You have so nice colors to pick from your stones! I would go with cedar/wood for siding and roof/stones for stucco. Plus trim the bushes to open the window view.

    Some option with gray/taupe stucco


    Mary G thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    or lighter version of gray



    Mary G thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • 5 years ago

    How about a door color that pops? Then you wouldn't even notice. I think it looks fine, though.

    Mary G thanked kayozzy
  • 5 years ago

    In my opinion, your shingles are taupe and some of the house’s elements are orange: door, post, some stones. It looks like your stone mortar maybe taupe-ish.

    So paint the orange elements a color that goes with taupe, ( just paint/ stain over the few orange stones) and the front wall and gable a less yellow color. Perhaps a nice blue for the front door to match your nice blue conifers.


    Mary G thanked ulisdone
  • 5 years ago

    I like your roof.

    Is the stone very old? Because if it's still possible to obtain any, I'd cover the stucco portion of your house with more of that lovely stone so it covers the whole lower facade.

    Mary G thanked petula67
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Really nice house. Like roof as is and the stone as well. (Cute pooch, too).

    You could paint the fascia and gutter either a dark charcoal gray or even black to remove the contrast of the white. Then you could paint that right wing of the house a lighter gray that is closest to the same -- most common to both -- roof and stone. Or

    If you can find exterior stone to match what stone you already have in a product to add to the exterior wall of the right side of your home, if not all of it then at least beginning at porch floor level and the area below that to the ground level, that might be worth considering.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=stone+to+clad+exterior+house+wall&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_ofTIp7DsAhUspXIEHdOkD7QQ_AUoAXoECBUQAw&biw=1366&bih=654

    Alternately, you might clad that right front wall with real cedar wood vertical board and batten siding -- without shutters -- and also clad the forward facing gable end and that area around the small dormer window as well, stopping the board and batten at top of porch floor level, with the area below that painted gray if not clad with stone.

    Improving your sidewalk and adding some landscaping could help soften the look. Add a couple of wide deep steps immediately adjacent to the porch and then keep the rest of the (also wider) sidewalk close to level.

    On the right/sloped side of the sidewalk, outline the sidewalk with low growing plants that look good most if not all year round. How well does liriope grow in your planting zone?

    This winter ... or at the appropriate time for moving the kind of shrub(s) you have, can you move the one in front of the right side so it will be centered with the window and centered between house and sidewalk ... at least several farther away from the house.

    Mary G thanked suezbell
  • 5 years ago

    I like what you have! I don’t think anyone would notice that the roof is similar to the stone if you didn’t point it out.

    Mary G thanked eld6161
  • 5 years ago

    Thank you all! I'm loving the idea of cedar boards on the upper, and even extending part way down the stucco stopping at the porch. And the taupe or light grey on the stucco seem to balance out the left side of the house nicely. And the cleaned up flowerbeds in the rendering really look lovely.


    I'm not sure about finding more of the stone I have. I know the quarry is nearby but nearly shut down. I also love the idea of replacing the stucco with stone, but suspect its a very tough task.


    I never thought about moving the bush! Its an azalea, but considering how old it is, I wouldn't have imagined I could. I'll give it a shot!


    Thank you all! These suggestions and renderings are all extremely helpful!

  • 5 years ago

    I love the color suggestions presented. No to shutters, please.

    Mary G thanked houssaon
Sponsored
Whisler Home Improvement
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars9 Reviews
Franklin County's Committed Home Improvement Professionals