Roofing is an important part of any home. It’s your home’s first line of defense against the elements, and helps complete its curb appeal. Since log homes have very different appearances than traditional, stick-built style homes, it means that cabin roofing will also be different.
Ideally, a roof will always match the style of the home, complementing it so it creates a cohesive exterior. With a log cabin, this is especially crucial. While it is possible to use traditional roofing styles with a log home, it’s important to pay attention to the little details such as type of shingle, color, and roof pitch to ensure that you get the best look and performance for your log home.
Metal Log Cabin Roofing
Metal roofs are one of the most popular types and styles of roofs for use with log cabins. This is true whether you have a traditional log home or whether you have a home clad with log-look siding.
This is mostly due to location; log homes tend to be in more rural areas where a sturdy, low maintenance roof is necessary. Metal roofs come in a range of different styles and colors, and all are very durable and long-lasting, which is often necessary in rural areas.
There are two basic types of metal roofs that people may use with log homes. The first is what’s known as a standing seam roof. This is made of either aluminum or steel, and is clearly made of metal. Long metal pieces run the length of the roof along the pitch, and where the join at the seam is slightly raised, giving the roof its name.
Standing seam metal roofs come in a wide range of colors, and are particularly good in snowy regions, as the roof enables the snow to slide off easily.
The second type of metal roofing is metal tiles. These are usually coated with a type of crushed stone to give them the look of clay tiles, slate, or decorative shingles. They have a more limited range of colors, but they’re often more decorative. If you want the benefits of a metal roof, but with a more classic appearance for your log home, a metal tile roof is a good option.
When choosing your metal roof, you’ll want to consider several things. The first is color. Metal roofs can come in a range of colors including brown, red, and green, which are the three most common. Each color will give your log home a very different appearance. For example, a brown metal roof on a natural-colored log home will have a very subtle appearance.
You can accent this by picking up a trim color that matches the roof, and going a few shades darker than your siding. This will add a lot of depth to your exterior, without a lot of contrast.
Another option is to go for a colored roof. Green is very popular with natural-colored siding and log homes because it’s reminiscent of forests and natural color palettes.
Green roofs can be used in a few different ways to get different results as well. You can pair a green metal roof with green trim and doors to get a more subtle contrast that adds interest to the exterior.
You will get a deeper, more vibrant contrast by using a bold green against a lighter colored siding, and not matching the trim to the roof. This gives you a more dramatic result for your log cabin roofing that will make your home stand out from the crowd.
Log Cabin Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are incredibly popular due to their low cost, ready availability, and the many different available colors. Like with metal roofs, there are some variations as well as a range of colors that may give your log cabin a range of different looks.
Asphalt shingles come in two basic types. Standard, which gives your roof a flatter appearance, and Architectural, which has more depth and is made up of thicker shingles. Architectural shingles tend to cost more, but they last longer and are typically more durable, which is a plus for log homes located in rural areas.
With metal roofs, you can use the color of your shingle roof to match or contrast the rest of your exterior. For example, using a brown roof on a brown cabin will give your home a very soft and subtle appearance, while using a green roof on a lighter, reddish-colored cabin will give you a much more dramatic appearance.
It’s also possible to create more subtle appearances by mixing light and dark colors between the log home and the roof. For example, a light colored siding combined with a darker roof and darker trim will look very rich with a stunning amount of depth, yet there won’t be any contrast to call extra attention to one feature.
It’s also possible to opt for a lighter colored roof with a darker colored exterior. This can also create a more subtle interest and depth to the exterior. If you want to create some contrast and add a focal point, it’s possible to do so through other areas, trim, accent walls, or accent siding.
Choose the Right Log Cabin Roofing option
Log home roofing doesn’t need to be a complicated or difficult thing to select. It’s important to consider your home’s location, the durability and needs you have for the roof, and the way that the color and style of the roof and the siding will interact. Your roof can help you achieve a wide range of different styles and designs for your facade, improving your curb appeal and complementing your exterior at the same time.
For more help pairing your perfect roof style or color, contact an expert at TruLog for design ideas.
