Do Black Roof Shingles Cause Heat in a Home?

More often than not, homeowners take their home’s exterior very seriously, including their roofing shingles. Although a good number of people choose black roof shingles for their curb appeal, they do so with a bit of skepticism. They are concerned about the black color causing more heat in their attic. However, several elements influence a home’s energy efficiency and attic temperature.

In this article, we will discuss the properties of black shingles and how they affect your home. By the end, you will be well-informed and able to make a balanced decision.

Do Black Roof Shingles Cause Heat in a Home?

All over the world, homeowners will do anything to keep their cooling costs on the low side during the hot weather. There are several ways to achieve this. They include updating your roof system to an energy-efficient one, changing your air filters, and getting a thermostat you can program.

However, we cannot overlook the role your roofing choice plays in your home’s interior temperature in the summer. The type and quality of your roofing material and your roof ventilation’s efficiency determine how your roofing choices influence your home’s temperature. 

Another significant factor is your roof’s color. Typically, black roof shingles will absorb heat more than shingles with lighter colors will. This implies that having a black roof will increase your cooling costs in summer due to more frequent use of your cooling system. Roofs with lighter hues, on the other hand, will do the opposite and save you some money. 

However, during winter, having a black roof shingle is beneficial as it helps keep your home warmer, reducing heating costs. Thankfully, with the evolution of the roofing industry in recent times, black-colored shingles are now more energy-efficient. 

Beyond your shingle’s color, other factors impact your attic temperature. So, before getting a roof, you need to consider the following, as they will guide you on how best to make your home’s interior temperature comfortable:

• The roofing material type
• Quality of the material type
• Ventilation system
• Duration of direct exposure to the sun

How Your Roof Material Affects Your Home’s Temperature

Aside from your roof’s color, you also have to factor in the type of roofing material when thinking of how to maintain a cool temperature in the summer. The type of roofing material you use will determine if your roof will absorb less or more heat from the sun, influencing your home’s temperature.

Asphalt Roofs

In the US, asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing choice. This roofing material gained popularity for several reasons, including its durability and affordability. They are also energy-efficient. However, some premium-quality asphalt shingles are more energy efficient because of how manufacturers specifically designed them. This quality helps homeowners save money on utility bills. In addition, you will find asphalt shingles in several light-shade color options. This means there will be a limitation on how much heat your roof can absorb.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are another popular roofing choice, and like other roofing options, they have their benefits and drawbacks. A significant advantage of installing a metal roof on your property is its high reflectivity rating. They have the natural capability to dissipate heat. Experts have established them to reduce your cost of conditioning by 25% by some researchers.

A metal roof’s color also influences how much heat it absorbs. Metal roofs with lighter hues are more energy efficient than darker ones.

Composite Roofs

Composite roofs are usually designed to imitate slate roofs. They are also called synthetic roofing. They come in various designs and colors. In fact, there are several options that have been made to be more energy efficient. In addition, composite roofs in lighter shades help lower your roof heat absorption. 

How Do You Keep a Home with Black Roof Shingles Cool?

Every homeowner desires to keep their home cool in the summer. But how do you achieve this when you have black-colored shingles?  Although shingles with lighter colors like gray or white don’t absorb the sun rays during the summer as much as the other options, you don’t necessarily have to replace your functional black roof shingles to achieve that. There are ways you can adopt to keep your home cool despite having black shingles.

Type and Quality of Shingle 

When it comes to the quality of shingles, there’s a wide range of different types of shingles. The quality of each shingle determines its durability and energy efficiency. Architectural and 3-tab shingles are the most prevalent shingles. However, if you are determined to lower the costs of air conditioning your home and get the most value for your money, you have a high chance of choosing an architectural shingle.

Roof Ventilation

Your roof ventilation plays a part in the state of your home. Proper roof ventilation ensures that your home is in good condition. Adequate ventilation is even more crucial when you have black shingles. Inadequate roof ventilation can lead to a lot of problems. Aside from increased energy costs, you will deal with ice dams during the winter, mold or mildew growth, condensation, and structural damage to your roofing system, which are some problems you might encounter.

When your installer correctly installs your intake and exhaust vents, your home’s air circulation will be balanced, and its interior temperature will be cool.

Synthetic Roof Underlayment

Before the invention of synthetic roof underlayment, roofing companies used underlayments like tar or felt paper. This wasn’t the best approach as it could cause problems like water damage, leaks, and heat absorption, especially with black roof shingles.

With the use of synthetic underlayment, things have improved. When installing asphalt shingles, roofers now install synthetic underlayment, which has better resistance to water penetration and strong winds. It is also more efficient in keeping a roof cool.

Pros of Installing Black Roof Shingles

1. Aesthetically pleasing: A common reason homeowners install black shingles on their properties is their visual appeal. They typically complement any home color and architecture. They also make your home stand out in the neighborhood in a good way.
2. Improves durability: Black shingles improve a roof’s lifespan because of their makeup. Manufacturers make many of these black shingles with materials that elevate their resistance to weathering and durability.
3. Conceals structural flaws: Structural damage should never be ignored, except if it has no consequences. In such situations, it is essential to hide them. An example of such structural damage is marks from hail. Black shingles help to mask such imperfections by creating a visually even appearance, making them less conspicuous. 
4. Stylish: Black roof shingles are stylish and never go out of style. They will always blend in, and their attractive nature improves a home’s curb appeal.

What Is a Reflectivity Rating?

In this article, you must have come across the word “reflectivity rating” and may have wondered what it is about. A roof’s reflectivity rating is a measure that shows a roof’s capability to reflect the sun’s rays instead of absorbing them. A high reflectivity rating shows that the roof reflects the sunrays well and will reduce the amount of heat that penetrates your home in the summer.

Typically, roofs with lighter colors have higher reflectivity ratings. When deciding how to improve your roof’s energy efficiency beyond its rating of reflectivity, there are a couple of factors you would like to consider. However, understanding your material’s ability to reflect the sun’s rays is a good start.

Is Installing a Cool Roof on Your Home a Good Idea?

A roof replacement with a cool roof is an excellent investment with long-term and immediate benefits, the most significant being staying cool even in hot weather conditions. Research has shown that you can lower your air conditioning bills by about 15% in a single-story building. This means you can save a significant amount of money that you would have spent on air conditioning. Additionally, with cool roofs, homes with no air conditioning will still be comfortable in the summer.

Because of the growing interest of homeowners in cool roofs, there are several options to choose from, including different slope types and colors. So, should you go ahead and replace your existing shingles with cool roofs? If your current roof is relatively new and in good condition, replacing it with a cool roof for its reflectivity may not be a financially sound decision. But if the need for a roof replacement arises due to damage to your roof or another reason, you should consider a cool roof.

Conclusion

We’ve established that installing black roof shingles is not a bad idea nor the sole reason a home gets hotter. Several factors beyond your roof’s color make your home hot. Black shingles have several benefits, including aesthetic appeal, improved durability, and the ability to hide structural imperfections. However, you need to consider several factors aside from aesthetics and color when choosing a roofing shingle for your home. Such factors include the type and quality of the shingles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will black roof shingles increase your energy bills?

Whether black roof shingles will increase your energy bills depends on your local climate and the average amount you spend on energy in the winter and summer. Black shingles are more energy efficient in a cold climate; they keep the home warm and comfortable during the cold months. For instance, heating bills in the northern parts surpass the summer’s cooling ones. Hence, a roof that tends to absorb a lot of heat is an ideal choice for energy efficiency.