Energy-efficient roofing is “in” these days. Homeowners appreciate more than ever the ability to keep their house comfortable while saving on rising utility bills. And as surprising as it might sound, choosing the right roof color can keep your home’s interior more consistent in temperature—saving you on utility bills.
Here’s what to know about how the color you select for your new roofing has an impact on your property’s energy efficiency.
How Roof Color Affects Heat Absorption
Why consider a “cool roof”—one that keeps your home comfortable and energy-efficient? For starters, when your roofing material is designed to save you on energy, you’ll see a marked difference in your energy usage. Here’s why:
Some Roof Colors Draw in Heat More Readily Than Others
If you’ve ever dressed in a black t-shirt in the heat of summer, you’ve probably noticed that being outdoors in that dark shirt made you sweaty. Darker colors—such as black, deep grey, and rich brown—absorb the sun’s light and warmth much more easily than light colors such as white. On the other hand, lighter colors such as white and tan reflect sunlight and push away its heat.
Dark Roofing Attracts Heat Faster than Lighter Colors
Just as that black t-shirt pulls in heat, so do dark roof shingles. In fact, a dark-colored roof can be 10-15 degrees hotter than lighter-colored shingles during the day. The upper floors of your house—your top story, or your attic—can be 10 to 15 degrees warmer than lower floors too. As a result, you’re likely running your air-conditioning unit more often.
However, once the sun goes down, dark-colored roofing loses its heat fast—even faster than light-colored shingles. For times of year or regions of the country where it’s hot during the day and chilly at night, black roofing isn’t ideal.
Selecting the Best Colors to Achieve an Efficient Roof
There are many color options to consider when you’re getting a new roof. Ideally, you’ll want the shade to coordinate with your siding and landscaping to maximize curb appeal. Once you’ve narrowed down your color palette choices, refine your selection by considering what works best to achieve efficiency.
Heat-Reflecting Roof Colors
Lighter shades reflect sunlight better, keeping upper floors cooler. This makes them ideal for warm regions and homeowners that are conscious about lowering the air-conditioning costs. Look for:
- White (also called cool roofing)
- Light grey
- Light tan
Heat-Absorbing Roof Colors
Darker tints absorb heat, meaning they are likely to keep your attic warmer. This can be a problem in hot areas of the country, but it may be beneficial if your region has long, cold winters. Look for:
- Black
- Dark grey
- Dark brown
Check Reflectivity Ratings and Other Eco-Friendly Features
In addition to the natural way that colors either absorb or reflect heat and light, roofing materials can be manufactured to aid in creating an efficient home. As you evaluate different roof shingles and materials such as asphalt, metal, and tile, it’s a good idea to compare any efficiency ratings they have.
One measure of energy efficiency is a roof’s reflectivity rating. This number is the measure of how well the roofing performs at reflecting sunlight vs. absorbing it. A reflectivity rating higher than 65% is generally what you’re looking for if you want your roofing to keep your home cool during hot summers. Our team can help you evaluate this factor as you consider your options.
Plus, many roofing materials come with added features that complement a light color to deliver more energy efficiency to your home. Let us know that energy efficiency matters to you, and we will guide you to the right products that fit your goals.
Added Ways to Achieve an Energy-Efficient Roof
To boost the efficiency of your roofing color, you might also consider these options—which can work in partnership with your cool roof to deliver even more energy savings:
- Sustainable roofing is made with eco-friendly roofing materials that also deliver long-lasting protection, such as metal and synthetic slate.
- Green roofing such as plants, moss, and grass can be intentionally grown on flat roofing areas to add a layer of cooling insulation as well as unique curb appeal.
- Skylights can illuminate closets, bathrooms, pantries, and even your kitchen to help lower electricity bills and provide soothing natural lighting.
- Solar panels are advantageous in sunny regions to provide convenient sun-powered energy to your home.
Boost Your Home’s Efficiency with a Beautiful, Cool New Roof from Best Choice Roofing
Your home deserves an efficient roof that looks attractive, stands up to the effects of weather, and protects you from damaging leaks. Our team at Best Choice Roofing of caring, detail-oriented roofing professionals will evaluate your home’s unique needs—including color, efficiency, and any other goals you have—and we’ll deliver a precision installation that gets your roof in tip-top shape.
To get started, check out what it’s like to have our high-performing pros care for your property with our professional roofing services, and reach out to us with questions. We look forward to serving you!
