If you’re building a home or planning on replacing your existing roof, you’ll soon be choosing shingles. While many people don’t give it a lot of thought if simply having a roof repaired, there are some issues that are definitely worth considering.
Did you know that dark shingles, especially black, are less energy efficient and also need to be replaced more frequently? While many newer homes have lighter roofs, it has to do with more than the color scheme.
Dark shingles absorb more heat, while lighter colors reflect sunlight. The extra heat absorbed by dark shingles frequently means more air conditioning is required to keep a home cool. Absorbing heat also causes more wear and tear in hot climates, causing quicker deterioration and the need for replacement.
Light colors can help keep energy costs and usage down, by keeping indoor temperatures down (of course, good insulation helps too). This is something important to consider in areas prone to summer power outages too. Your home will remain cooler when you are unable to use air conditioning.
Of course, if you live in a colder climate, dark shingles might be the more efficient choice. They will still absorb more sunlight, but it will be to your benefit by helping keep your home warmer. At the same time, they will keep the exterior of the roof warmer, which tends to help avoid allowing too much snow to pile up on the roof.
Also, keep in mind that there are other materials for roofing besides shingles. There are metal roofs that help reflect sunlight and there are tile roofs as well. It’s still a good idea to pick a light color with these choices, unless you live in a cooler climate. Tile is usually quite a bit more expensive and may require a more supportive structure than what you currently have, so it’s important to do your homework when choosing roofing materials – and contractors.
Homeowner Horror Stories: Bad Roof Jobs (And How To Prevent Them From Happening To You)