Dark vs. Light Colored Shingles
When looking at different color shingles, appearance isn’t the only aspect you should consider. Of course you need to determine your roofing material first, but color is also a major factor in your home’s curb appeal. But what you may not realize is that your roof’s color can also have a huge impact on your energy bill.
Dark roofs absorb heat from the sun making both the surface and indoor temperatures of your home warmer. With these higher temperatures, your air conditioning has to work harder to cool off. If the temperature is naturally lower, you save money. This is especially beneficial in warmer climates.
Not only do light colored shingles decrease the indoor temperature, it has a lower surface temperature in the heat. This can extend the life of your shingles by decreasing their risk of chipping, cracking, or curling.
Advantages of a Light Colored Shingles
- Reflects between 85-90% of sunlight
- Reduces annual cooling bills by 10-20%
- Decreases indoor temperatures
- Decreases roof temperatures, extending shingle life
There has been some debate whether this would be a good roofing option in Wisconsin because of our colder climate. But research has shown that having a white roof in the winter doesn’t affect your indoor heat as much as you would think.
