Dark Shingles vs. Light Shingles: Which Should You Choose?

R ecently a customer asked us a question that comes up relatively often: should I choose dark shingles or lighter shingles? We wanted to tackle this topic in order to help homeowners to be more knowledgeable about the considerations to keep in mind before making the big shingle color decision. Let’s chat about a few facts to consider while you are deciding what color shingle is best for your new roofing system!

One important fact to take into consideration is that your shingle color will affect the internal temperature of your home. Think about it this way: if you are walking down the street on a hot summer day wearing a dark colored top, your top will absorb the sunlight. On the other hand, if you are wearing a light colored top you will stay cooler because the lighter color absorbs less heat. This concept holds true for roofing shingle colors as well.

In general, lighter colored shingles such as Fox Hollow Gray, for example, will reflect away heat rays from the sun. Darker colored shingles on the other hand, such as Charcoal, will absorb much of that heat causing the temperature in your attic to rise. Interestingly enough, during the evening, the darker shingled roofs tend to lose heat faster than lighter shingled roofs.

A dark roof raises the temperature inside your home’s highest rooms. However during the winter, the opposite holds true. During the winter a dark roof brings in more desired heat from the sun than a light roof. This feature makes dark roofs more desirable in colder climates with long winters and short summers. Darker colored roofing systems are advantageous throughout the winter months because they absorb more heat and have a reputation for helping snow to melt.

When you think about your home’s curb appeal, what comes to mind first? Paint or home siding condition? Landscaping? Windows? The walkway? Oftentimes a home’s roof is an afterthought, but in reality the roof can cover more than 50% of your home’s visible exterior and this can have a tremendous impact. A beautiful roof will not only enhance your home’s curb appeal, but it will also increase its value. With all of that in mind, for every negative there is a positive as well. We recommend you follow your heart and choose the shingle color that catches your eye most.