How the Color of the Roof Affects Your Home’s Temperature

Color = Cool

We take a lot of steps to keep our homes cool, especially in Florida’s climate. But did you know that your roof, precisely the color of your roof, can play a significant role in temperature control?

As with anything, color absorbs light, and your roof is perhaps the most light-exposed element of your house. Here’s how the color of your roof can impact your home’s temperature.

Color and Temperature

The general rule with light and color is that lighter colors reflect more light, while darker colors absorb more light. That’s why you’ll feel much hotter wearing a black shirt in the sun than a yellow or white one.

But does this really apply to roofs? Yes, it does. Lighter shingles will repel sunlight (at least more than dark shingles would), therefore reducing the heat that penetrates your roof and enters your home. Dark shingles absorb the sunlight and hold onto the heat, which then gets transferred to your attic and the rest of your home.

Not only does this increase the chances of your home being uncomfortably warm, but your air conditioner will need to work harder to cool the house down. This results in a higher energy bill and a shorter life for your AC.

Which Color is Better?

A lot of choices come down to geography and climate. It’s a fairly simple equation in Florida, as our summers are intense, and we get warm weather year-round. With the sun shining so bright, lighter shingles help reduce heat moving through the roof and into your home.

In colder climates, the opposite is true. Since homes in colder climates try to keep as much heat as possible, darker shingles allow more heat to be absorbed to warm the house.

Experience the Rhyne Difference

Whether you need a roof repair or replacement, Rhyne Restoration Roofing has been serving Orlando families since 2004. Trust in our experts to get the job done for you. Contact us today at (888) 973-0087 to make an appointment.