Roofing Companies
If you’ve ever sat in a black car under the Florida sun, you can probably guess that darker roof shingles mean higher roof temperatures. But you may wonder, does the temperature of roof shingles also affect the temperature inside a home? It turns out that yes, roof shingle color does matter when it comes to energy efficiency.
Shingle Color and Temperature
In general, dark colors absorb heat, while white and lighter colors reflect heat. When it comes to which roof color is most energy efficient, the same principle applies to homes as to cars. Darker shingles cause the temperature of the roof to heat up, subsequently causing the air inside the home to get hotter. Meanwhile, white shingles reflect the sun energy, allowing them to stay cooler. A white roof is the most energy efficient.
White Shingles Save Energy
In fact, white roofing saves so much energy that some cities around the world, including New York City, are painting rooftops white. Some studies show that roofs painted with reflective white paint can cause the temperature inside a building to drop by up to 40%, greatly reducing the strain on one’s energy bill.
Here’s an image of Queens, New York, where most of the rooftops have been painted white.
Energy Star Shingles Tax Credit
Because of the huge difference in energy costs, the U.S. government offers a $500 tax credit when you select shingles for your new roof installation that are Energy Star® certified. Energy Star roofing is designed to reflect more of the sun’s rays, causing a roof temperature to be 50 degrees cooler than comparable roofing.
Meanwhile, that difference in temperature equates to up to 15% less energy use during peak cooling times. In Florida, that’s a big difference, since “peak cooling times” are most of the year.
CertainTeed Energy Star Shingles
At Castle Roofing Group, we partner with CertinTeed to source high quality shingles for our customers. CertainTeed offers the Landmark Pro Silver Birch shingle color as an ENERGY STAR® rated product. When you install a new roof with this color shingle, you can apply for the Energy Star Roofing tax credit.
Energy Efficient Roofing Shingles FAQ’s
Yes, shingle color does affect the temperature of a roof and a home internally. Studies show that a roof painted with white, reflective painted is up to 30 degrees cooler than other roofs. Rather than painting your roof, you can choose a white, Energy Star certified reflective shingle the next time you install a new roof. Lighter colors reflect heat, whereas darker color shingles absorb heat. The white, reflective homes in the study were up to 7 degrees cooler inside the home.
Black shingles absorb the most heat when compared with roof shingles in other colors. When roof shingles reach hotter temperatures for longer periods of time, this can cause them to curl and break slightly sooner than other shingles. Also, the higher roof temperature causes heat the internal air temperature of the building to rise during the hottest parts of the day as well, causing homeowners to spend more money on energy costs per square foot. Black roof shingles are not a bad idea if that is your preference for your home aesthetically. However, you will need to weigh the pros and cons of black shingles when you make your selection.
Yes, white shingles can save energy costs by up to 40%. Many cities around the world, including New York, have painted the roofs of buildings white to help cut energy consumption and related energy costs. Homeowners who want to save on their energy bill also choose white or light color shingles. Also of 2021, there is also a federal tax credit for Energy Star rated white shingles. However, there are also solar reflective shingles in many colors that significantly reduce roof temperature.
Light color roofs are best for energy saving. However, the best roof color comes down to personal preference. White shingles keep a roof and the internal temperature of a home cooler, but you should select your shingle color based on your personal preference. If there is a light shingle color that you like, you can have the benefits of a color you like aesthetically as well as the added energy savings.
Homeowners often ask us about how to choose shingle color. We are happy to offer our recommendations for the shingle colors that will go best with the color of your home. Select a roof color based on energy savings and visual appeal, while keeping in mind the longevity of your roof. The roof color should complement the current exterior paint color of your home. However, your new roof will last longer than the current paint job. Select a roof color that you believe you will still love in ten years. You will be able to change the color of your exterior walls sooner than you will install a new roof.
Orlando Roofing Company
Castle Roofing Group is an Orlando roofing company dedicated to serving our customers with fair estimates and step-by-step guidance in selecting the right roofing materials for your home. We have been serving the Central Florida area for new roof installation since 2012. To schedule a free roofing estimate, book an appointment online or call us at (407) 477-2823.
