What Type of Roof Adds the Most Value to Your Home?
When homeowners think about increasing home value, they often focus on kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, or landscaping.
However, one of the biggest contributors to curb appeal, buyer confidence, insurance savings, and resale value is the roof itself.
The right roof can:
- Improve curb appeal
- Increase buyer confidence
- Reduce insurance costs
- Improve energy efficiency
- Increase long term durability
- Raise resale value
But here is the part many homeowners overlook:
The best roof for resale value depends heavily on your neighborhood and surrounding homes.
At Excel Roofing, we always encourage homeowners to look carefully at local comps, neighborhood standards, and long term value before selecting a roofing system.
Your Roof Should Match the Value of the Area
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is either:
- Overbuilding for the neighborhood
- Underbuilding for the neighborhood
For example:
If your neighborhood is primarily made up of standard asphalt shingle roofs, installing an ultra high end batten mounted stone coated steel roofing system may not dramatically increase your home’s value.
While the roof itself may be exceptional, buyers in that area may not fully value the upgrade enough to justify the additional cost.
On the other hand, if you live in a luxury neighborhood filled with:
- Tile roofs
- Standing seam metal roofs
- Stone coated steel systems
- High end architectural homes
installing a basic asphalt roof could actually hurt your home’s value or buyer perception.
Roofing should fit the overall quality and expectations of the surrounding market.
Look at Neighborhood Comps Carefully
Before selecting a roofing system, homeowners should study:
- Nearby home sales
- Roofing styles in the area
- Local architectural trends
- Comparable property values
- Buyer expectations
This is especially important in:
- HOA communities
- Luxury neighborhoods
- Master planned communities
- Historic districts
In many neighborhoods, the roof is a major part of the home’s visual identity.
A mismatched roof can stand out negatively, while the right roofing system can significantly enhance curb appeal and resale value.
Asphalt Shingles Add Strong Value in Standard Neighborhoods

Architectural asphalt shingles remain the most common roofing material in Colorado and throughout much of the United States.
They are popular because they offer:
- Strong curb appeal
- Good lifespan
- Lower installation costs
- Easier repairs
- Wide style selection
For many standard suburban neighborhoods, architectural asphalt shingles provide one of the best balances between:
- Cost
- Appearance
- Durability
- Resale value
In areas where most homes already have asphalt roofs, upgrading to premium architectural shingles often makes the most financial sense.
High End Roofs Belong on High End Homes
Luxury roofing systems often make the most sense on luxury homes.
Premium roofing systems include:
- Tile roofing
- Slate roofing
- Standing seam metal
- Copper roofing
- Stone coated steel
These systems can dramatically improve:
- Architectural appearance
- Longevity
- Energy efficiency
- Buyer perception
However, they are expensive.
That is why these roofing systems generally provide the strongest return when installed on:
- Luxury homes
- Custom homes
- Estate properties
- High value neighborhoods
The roof should feel proportional to the home itself.
Stone Coated Steel and Metal Roofs May Add Insurance Value.webp?width=818&height=547&name=red-stone-coated-steel-roof-installation.jpg%20(1).webp)
One major factor becoming increasingly important is insurance savings.
Many high end roofing systems, especially Class 4 impact resistant roofing products, may qualify homeowners for insurance discounts depending on:
- The carrier
- The roofing product
- Local hail exposure
- Policy terms
This can become a major selling point for future buyers.
In hail prone states like Colorado, buyers are becoming more aware of:
- Impact resistant roofing
- Long term durability
- Insurance savings
- Reduced maintenance costs
While a premium roofing system may not fully return its installation cost directly through resale value alone, insurance savings and long term performance may help offset the investment substantially over time.
Remote Properties Are Different
If you live on:
- Large acreage
- Ranch land
- Mountain property
- Rural property
neighborhood comparables often matter far less.
In these situations, homeowners may prioritize:
- Durability
- Fire resistance
- Wind resistance
- Snow performance
- Longevity
rather than strict neighborhood consistency.
That is why metal, stone coated steel, and specialty roofing systems are often more common in rural or mountain environments.
Roof Style Impacts Buyer Confidence
Buyers pay attention to roofs more than most homeowners realize.
A newer, high quality roof signals:
- Proper maintenance
- Lower future expenses
- Better weather protection
- Higher home quality
An outdated or mismatched roof can create:
- Buyer hesitation
- Inspection concerns
- Insurance questions
- Price negotiations
The roof is one of the largest and most visible systems on the entire home.
So What Roof Adds the Most Value?
The answer depends on:
- Your neighborhood
- Your home value
- Your climate
- Buyer expectations
- Insurance considerations
- Long term ownership goals
Generally:
- Asphalt shingles perform best in standard suburban neighborhoods
- Tile and premium metal systems perform best in luxury markets
- Impact resistant systems may improve insurance attractiveness
- High end roofing systems should match high end homes
The goal is not simply installing the most expensive roof possible.
The goal is installing the roof that best fits the property and market.
Final Thoughts
A roof can absolutely increase your home’s value, but the smartest roofing investment is one that aligns with the surrounding neighborhood and buyer expectations.
Installing a roof that is too inexpensive for the area may hurt value, while overbuilding far beyond neighborhood standards may not produce a strong return on investment.
At Excel Roofing, we help homeowners throughout Colorado choose roofing systems that balance:
- Appearance
- Longevity
- Insurance performance
- Resale value
- Budget
- Neighborhood fit
The right roof does far more than protect your home. It can become one of the strongest value drivers on the property.
Henry Bretz is the Vice President of Excel Roofing, a second-generation roofing company that has completed tens of thousands of roofing projects across Colorado and Wyoming. He writes about roof replacement, roofing materials, shingle warranties, storm damage claims, and how homeowners can make smarter decisions when investing in a new roof.