Single-layer subwavelength periodic waveguide films with binary profiles are applied to design numerous passive guided-mode resonance elements. It is shown that the grating profile critically influences the spectral characteristics of such devices. In particular, the symmetry of the profile controls the resonance spectral density. Symmetric profiles generate a single resonance on either side of the second stopband whereas two resonances arise, one on each side of the band, for asymmetric structures. Moreover, the profile's Fourier harmonic content, along with the absolute value of the grating modulation strength, affects the resonance linewidths and their relative locations. Computed Brillouin diagrams are presented to illustrate many key properties of the resonant leaky-mode spectra in relation to modulation strength and profile symmetry at the second stopband. Associated mode plots elucidate the spatial distribution of the leaky-mode field amplitude at resonance and show that, for small modulation, the mode shape may be simple whereas at higher modulation, the shape appears as a complex mixture of modes. By computing device spectra as function of the modulation strength, the buildup of the final spectral properties is illustrated and the contributions of the various leaky modes clarified. The results presented include wavelength and angular spectra for several example devices including narrow linewidth bandpass filters with extended low sidebands for TE and TM polarization, wideband reflectors for TE and TM polarization, polarizer, polarization-independent element, and a wideband antireflector, all with only a single binary layer with one-dimensional periodicity. These results demonstrate new dimensions in optical device design and may provide complementary capability with the field of thin-film optics.