Does Your Asphalt Shingle’s Color Matter?

Most roofing contractors offer roofing shingles in a wide variety of colors. Through our experience tackling seasonal roof jobs and commercial roofing projects, we often get asked if the shingles’ colors can affect its performance. In this post, US Roofing, the residential roofing company shares if your roof color affects its performance.

Light Vs. Dark Colored Roofing

Keep in mind that color can affect a surface’s reflectivity. For instance, if you take a swatch board and paint one half of it with a light shade, and another with a dark one, you’ll notice that the lighter-colored side will absorb less heat. This is because infrared rays, which carry heat, are reflected on the light-colored surface. This concept can be easily felt in the real world since light-colored shirts are often worn during hot days, since they’re more comfortable than dark-colored ones.

Roof Reflectivity

Residential roofing contractors still use dark-colored roofing even if it slightly affects your roof’s performance due to aesthetic purposes. Keep in mind that dark roofs are more pleasing to the eye than light-colored roofing systems. To mitigate their drawbacks, homeowners make up for it by bolstering their attic insulation. Fortunately, dark-colored roofs are the best choice for colder climates to help save on heating and utility costs.

Fortunately, thanks to advancements in roofing manufacturing, you no longer have to compromise aesthetics and performance. “Cool” roofing systems have reflective coatings and granules that make your roof reflect heat, keeping it cool for the years to come. For instance, a dark roof can retain the same amount of heat a light-colored one can. One great example of which is the ENERGY STAR®-certified GAF Timberline® CS shingles. According to the Cool Roof Rating Council, it can help you save up to 15% of your home’s utility bills.

US Roofing is not only your go-to company for residential and commercial roofing. We can also manage all of your roofing needs, from professional inspections to emergency repairs. We proudly serve Peabody, MA, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (978) 532-6300 or fill out this contact form to schedule your roof evaluation.