A roof makes up a significant portion of a home's appearance, leaving a lasting impression on guests and passersby. A custom roof can boost your home's curb appeal and add your unique personality to its design. If you live in Long Beach, California, you may have noticed one distinctively unique style of custom roofing — the unforgettable Storybook roof.
The Storybook House Roof Style
Known for its waterfront attractions and miles of sun-kissed beaches, the beautiful Southern California coastline has captured the attention of visitors and residents alike with the allure of nature trails and rolling ocean waves. Long Beach residents know of another enchanting area feature — rolling waves of roofs, a breathtaking local architectural style straight out of a fairy tale.
There's something undeniably magical about an authentic Storybook house. With their asymmetrical window frames, mismatched doors, charming shutters and undulating rooflines, gazing upon one of these historical homes transports you to a time of childlike wonder. With a bit of imagination, you can almost envision a dragon perching on one of the roof peaks.
History of Storybook-Style Roof Shingles
In the late 1880s, the Arts and Crafts movement focused on nature, handcrafted details and period-inspired homes, inspiring Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Revivals. A growing fascination with medieval architecture combined with the Hollywood film industry's interest in imaginative set designs and architectural approaches led to a new, playful architectural style, the Storybook.
Medieval craftsmanship influenced the gently rolling contours of Storybook roof shapes and shingles, making the buildings look like they traveled from the European countryside. Also referred to as Hansel and Gretel, Hobbit or Fairytale style, this whimsical house trend became all the rage in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas in the 1920s. Specifically, Long Beach became home to a distinct selection of rare, wavy-roofed beauties that endure to this day.
These fantasy cottages feature unmistakable characteristics, including:
Steep slopes
Curved edges
Intricate wave coursing
Stacked gables
Crooked or rolling rooflines
Storybook roofs originally featured pre-bent wood shingles manufactured by the Creo-Dipt Company from the early 1900s to the 1950s. With a resurgence of interest in historic preservation and cottage-style roofs, we are proud to offer steam-bent wood shingles and contribute to national architecture restoration with our updated, patented revival of this formerly lost art.
Known by many names, Storybook homes have differing roof characteristics.
Fairytale: Classic Storybook, or Fairytale, roofs have dramatically steep slopes — typically a 12/12 pitch or higher — and curved edges around gables and rakes.
Cotswold cottage: Inspired by Old-World homes found in the Cotswold Hills of southwest England, Cotswold cottage roofs feature warped and bubbled wood shingles.
Hobbit: Step into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien with Hobbit house roofs, showcasing rounded, drooping cedar roof edges worthy of the Shire.
Wood-Shingle Roofs in Long Beach
Wood is the most attractive and luxurious roofing option for homeowners in the Long Beach area. Use shingles or slightly thicker shakes on top of your house to create an eye-catching design. Several types of wood species make excellent roofing materials.
Wallaba: A hardwood noted for its deep red color, which matures over time to a stately silver, our Royalwood™ Wallaba shingles and shakes are incredibly strong and naturally resist fire, decay and insects.
Cedar: Durable and timeless, cedar shingles offer dimensional stability and a pleasing scent. Different tones are available in western red, Alaskan yellow and eastern white cedar varieties.
Teak: With a naturally high silica content, exotic teak shingles withstand the elements and repel water. Besides wallaba, teak is one of the most durable materials for shakes and shingles.
Composite wood: A synthetic faux wood option, composite shingles offer a fire- and rot-resistant roofing alternative virtually indistinguishable from genuine wood.
The most popular choice is cedar, a low-density softwood that's easy to install. Cedar roofing adds value to your home due to the following qualities.
It's resistant to most types of damage: Cedar shingles are naturally durable against mold growth, insects, moisture and UV rays.
It's flexible: Lightweight cedar has refined grains that manufacturers can easily cut, saw and nail. You can also choose from various wood finishes to get your desired color.
It's energy-efficient: Cedar shingles help regulate your home's indoor temperature in the summer and winter. As a result, you can save money on your energy bills over time.
It enhances curb appeal: Cedar roofing has a timeless, natural look that attracts the eye and creates an excellent first impression of your property.
It's eco-friendly: Since cedar is a natural resource and a sustainable product, you can be confident that your choice to install this material on the top of your house will positively impact the environment.
As a roofing contractor in Long Beach, CA, our team at Custom Shingles can install, replace or repair the cedar shingles on your property. We have years of experience working with wood shingles and shakes to help you achieve your ideal look.
Other Popular Roofing Materials in Long Beach
Besides wood shingles or shakes, you can also get other popular roofing materials for your home in Long Beach.
Ornamental copper: Many owners of historic homes choose to install aesthetically pleasing ornamental copper roofing as a decorative accent to draw attention to various parts of their homes.
Stainless steel: The rust-resistant coating on stainless steel roof shingles or panels protects against corrosion and harsh weather conditions.
Aluminum: An energy-efficient option for modern Southern California homes, aluminum reflects heat instead of absorbing it, keeping your home cooler in the summer.
Clay tile: Suitable for places with salty air or hot climates, clay tile roofing is a favorite for Southwestern-style, Mission, Spanish and Mediterranean homes.
Concrete tile: Concrete tile's weight makes it suitable for places with strong winds. Its long lifespan makes concrete tile roofing a popular choice for homeowners in Long Beach.
Slate: Slate is an environmentally friendly, long-lasting roofing option. Slate roofs require fewer tile replacements and protect against fires and harsh weather conditions.
Importance of Quality Roofing for Long Beach, CA, Homes
As a homeowner in Southern California, consider the following as you choose the right roofing materials for your property:
Aesthetic appeal: Curb appeal increases the beauty and value of your home. Consider your home's architectural style and what materials match your aesthetic. Quality roofing materials stand out among the others on your block and welcome guests with a lovely appearance.
Energy savings: To get the most out of your investment, choose a roofing material that helps you save money on your monthly utility bills. Wood shingles naturally insulate your home, preserving the air that your HVAC heats or cools.
Weather protection: Your Southern California home experiences different environmental conditions throughout the year. From dry heat during the summer to the occasional rainstorm, your roof needs to be resilient to handle any weather. If you choose a durable, weather-resistant material, you can have peace of mind that your roof will last.
Lifespan: Replacing your roof can be a significant investment, so be sure to find a roofing material that maintains its appearance for a long time to maximize your returns.
Choose Custom Shingles for Your Long Beach Roofing Project
Our experienced team at Custom Shingles specializes in creating luxurious wood shingles and shakes. Our wood products have a long lifespan and a warm aesthetic to enhance even the most custom roofing projects. If you live in Southern California, contact us to get started on designing your unique home look today.