When building a new home or remodeling the roof, one of your many considerations is its color. Your choice will have ramifications for many years, as the color will affect overall aesthetics, energy efficiency, and much more. Most homeowners still select asphalt or wooden shingles as their home’s roofing material, but the color will also apply to other roofing materials, such as metal. Here are the factors you’ll have to consider when determining whether you want a lighter or darker roof.
Temperature and Energy Efficiency
The roof covers your home, so it’s the first line of defense against the elements. One of those elements is the sun. The color of your roof will determine its solar reflectivity, which is a fancy way of saying how much heat it will absorb. The material’s color varies only slightly in temperature. For example, the difference in temperature between black and white roofing materials is about 15 degrees Fahrenheit, with a lesser temperature difference between the two color extremes.
Roof color affects the interior of your house more, especially in the attic, where temperatures can vary between 20 and 40 degrees. This wide swing makes a significant difference when heating and cooling your home. Light colors fare better in central Indiana’s hot and humid summers. A light roof will reflect sunlight and keep your home cooler, potentially affecting electricity costs in the summer.
Darker roofs do the exact opposite; they absorb heat. They can make your home warmer in the winter and tend to make snow melt more quickly. However, you shouldn’t install a dark roof solely for its snow-melting properties, as the winter has few hours of direct sunlight. Furthermore, if you have difficulties with ice dams during the winter, your attic may have some issues like airflow and insufficient insulation that the roofing pros at SPG Roofing & Exteriors can address before installing a new roof.
Your home’s insulation is a more significant factor in energy efficiency. A home with inferior insulation will have bigger temperature swings when you choose a light or dark-colored roof. With proper insulation, you may not notice a difference at all. Although darker roos tend to absorb more heat, the type of roofing materials also makes a difference. A dark metal roof has more reflectivity than an asphalt roof with light shingles.
High-Reflectivity Shingles
In recent years, roofing manufacturers have made significant strides in the energy efficiency of their products. Some shingles, like the GAF Reflector Series, come in a range of colors that reduce the heat level in your attic. You can choose the appearance you want for your roof without worrying about your energy bills.
Style and Exterior Design Considerations
Roof color plays a significant role in your home’s style. Traditional design cues call for lighter roofs with a light exterior and darker roofs with a dark exterior. Certain darker looks are classic. For example, red brick goes well with black roofs. However, design considerations and aesthetics constantly change. The following factors may also come into play.
Contrast
Contrast is a popular concept in exterior design. If you want visible contrast, choose a roof that is at least two shades lighter or darker than the sides of your home. Colors three to four shades lighter or darker will provide a bolder contrast.
Monochromatic
The polar opposite of contrast is choosing an exterior design palette that is monochromatic. That involves using various shades of one color family, such as brown or beige, for the roof, siding, trim, and accents. Beige monochromatic exterior palettes are typical for homes built in the 1990s.
Your Neighborhood
Roof color preferences often depend on where you live. Your neighborhood may have a particular style with a heavily traditional look, a Southwestern motif, or another aesthetic that dictates a level of uniformity. If this is the case, you may not want to stray too far from the norm unless you seek to make a statement with your redesign.
How House Color Affects Your Choice
Trends change, but your house color usually doesn’t unless you give it a new coat of paint or change the siding. The right choice of roof color affects the aesthetic and can provide your residence with a timeless look that withstands trends. A light roof draws attention and distinguishes it from other parts of your home, while darker colors allow other parts to stand out. Lighter roofs will also make your home appear bigger. Your chosen material will also make your home look different. Light-colored shingles, clay, or metal will all provide a slightly different aesthetic.
Does Color Affect Roof Longevity?
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that a light-colored roof made of asphalt shingles will last longer than a dark one because the latter absorbs more ultraviolet radiation. Although this theory seems to make sense, roofing experts don’t find it true. It is difficult to devise a test that shows what asphalt shingle color lasts longer. Ensuring that you have proper ventilation for your roof plays a bigger part in the breakdown of roofing materials. One factor you should keep in mind when choosing color is that lighter roofs are more prone to showing dirt, grime, algae, or mildew growth.
The Choice Is Ultimately Yours
Personal preference ultimately drives your roof color selection. In many instances, your decision comes down to what looks the best with your home. Working with a reliable, professional roofing contractor is essential because experienced roofers can point out the pros and cons of each material type and shade. Communicate with your roofing consultant when getting a quote, and be honest about factors like insulation and attic issues. A trustworthy roofing contractor will work with you to help you select the best roofing materials for your home. If you are unsure what color will look best on your roof, cutting digital tools can often help you decide by showing how various colors will work on your roof in a simulated photo.
SPG Roofing & Exteriors Is Your Source for Exterior Renovations
If you’re seeking a contractor that can perform and coordinate many outdoor renovation projects, consider SPG Roofing & Exteriors. We provide residents and businesses in Indianapolis and nearby towns in Central Indiana with a comprehensive range of services, including roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and painting. Finding an exterior contractor you can trust is essential to a well-run project and sound installation.
In addition to installation services, our professionals also provide maintenance and repairs for all exterior aspects of your home and business. Our work ethic is simple; we strive to present all customers with superior products and services that exceed their expectations. We also handle insurance claims resulting from other storm damage and other situations. To help reduce your ultimate cost, we offer periodic specials and access to financing for large projects. Contact our office today to learn how we can help you with your roofing or other exterior project.
