Roof, Gutter and Siding Makeover Ideas

The biggest curb-appeal jumps come from changing the roof, siding, trim and gutters together around one clear look, like a white-and-charcoal modern farmhouse, a soft gray coastal cottage or a refreshed brick ranch. Doing them in one project also lets the roof edge, fascia, soffit vents and gutters be detailed as one system.

Why do it all at once?

The roof, fascia, soffit, gutters and the top of the siding all meet at the same edge of the house. Replace them together and you get drip edge, fascia covers, vented soffit and new gutters that fit each other, instead of new pieces fastened to old, tired ones. You also get one design decision instead of trying to match a new roof to siding you'll replace in three years. In New Jersey, replacing existing roof covering, siding (other than polypropylene) and gutters on a detached one- or two-family home is ordinary maintenance under the state construction code, so a full exterior refresh usually needs no building permit.

Six makeover looks

• Modern farmhouse. White board-and-batten or lap siding, Charcoal roof, black gutters and window frames, and a natural wood front door. Add a few soffit lights over the porch.
• Coastal cottage. Soft gray or white siding with shakes in the gables, a Pewter Gray or Weathered Wood roof, white trim and gutters, and a blue or sea-green door. A natural fit near the shore.
• Refreshed colonial. Keep it classic: white or light gray clapboard, a Slate or Charcoal roof, black shutters, white gutters and a red or navy door.
• Brick ranch update. Keep the brick, swap the tired roof for Weathered Wood or Barkwood, replace dated trim and gutters in a color pulled from the brick, and add a modern door and house numbers.
• Warm traditional. Tan or cream siding, a Barkwood or Hickory roof, almond or brown gutters, and stone or wood accents.
• Bold two-tone. Dark siding (navy, deep green or charcoal) on the body, white trim, lighter shakes in the gables and a Charcoal roof. Dramatic, but check HOA rules first.

Small upgrades that make a big difference

• Trim and fascia: crisp new trim around windows and corners sharpens any color scheme.
• Gutters: seamless gutters in a matching or deliberate contrasting color, with downspouts placed so they don't cut across the front.
• Soffit lights: warm downlights at the entry and garage change the whole look at night.
• Front door: the cheapest place for a strong color.
• Windows: new windows in black or bronze frames transform a white or gray house.
• Power washing: before any project, it shows you what's actually worn and what just needed cleaning.

Plan it in this order

• Pick the look and the roof color first, since it's the biggest surface.
• Choose siding and trim to match the roof's undertone.
• Choose gutters to match the trim or as a contrast.
• Pick the accent: door, shutters or lighting.
• Get HOA approval, then schedule.

If budget means phasing, do the roof first and choose its color with the future siding in mind. All In Roofing's Design Studio lets you try GAF roof colors, gutters, siding, trim, windows and evening soffit lights on one house and compare a roof-only project with the full package before you get a free estimate.