At Noble Roofing, we have discussed various aspects of roofing such as the materials, design, and roof-siding combos. But there’s one aspect about roofs that we haven’t discussed yet: their color.
When you start shopping for roofing materials, you’re not just faced with choices between materials like slate, metal, asphalt, and clay. You’re also going to decide what color your roof can be. But does the color of your roof matter?
Heat Absorption & Color
There is a universal rule when it comes to heat absorption: darker colors absorb and retain more heat than lighter colors. This means that if you live in a colder climate, a darker roof is more to your advantage because it’s going to draw heat into your home.
On the other hand, properties in hotter climates will benefit from lighter colored roofs because they reflect more heat and keep the home’s interior cooler.
The rate at which your roof absorbs heat also affects the quality of your attic ventilation.
- If the roof absorbs more heat, the conditions inside the attic are hotter, thus requiring more aggressive ventilation systems such as power fans.
- If the roof takes in less heat, that means that your ventilation system (and HVAC) work less to produce the same comfortable internal temperature.
Fun fact: A black roof can get as hot as 176 degrees Fahrenheit (80C) in the peak of summer, while a white roof can reflect 90% of sunlight and only reach 145 degrees.
All the heat on your roof has to go somewhere, and if your home isn’t well-insulated or has a reflective membrane, this heat will go down into your home through the ceiling through the process called re-radiation.
If you’ve ever wanted to know why your upstairs is hotter in the summer, it’s not just because heat rises: it can also be radiating through your roof!
Is Your Roof Radiating too Much Heat?
If your roof is dark and your home isn’t equipped to deflect any external heat, the answer is most likely yes. You can also do a simple test to find out how much heat is coming through: touch your ceiling. Is it hot? A ceiling of a home that isn’t well-insulated or has a hot roof can reach 122 degrees!
But what can you do when a dark roof simply matches your home better? Or, maybe your HOA is only allowing you to use darker roof colors to match with your neighbors. However, when dark tiles mean thermal inefficiency, what can we do? Thankfully, modern construction technology has found some “backdoor” ways to make darker roofs more friendly on your utility bill.
- Install a Heat-reflective Membrane- If you don’t want to sacrifice the sleek look of a dark roof, install a heat-reflective membrane underneath it. These membranes improve thermal efficiency by reflecting radiant heat so that all the external heat is entering your home.
- Attic Insulation- It never hurts to get your insulation inspected so that you can see how well it’s working. You can also see if your insulation has been installed properly for the most efficient ventilation system possible. For example, make sure that any insulation isn’t blocking the soffit intake vents so that air can circulate properly in your attic and keep conditions dry and comfortable.
- Heat Reflective Paint- This is a good option for commercial roofs. They work in the same way as a membrane but act as a coating on top of a commercial roof.
- Solar Reflective Shingles- CertainTeed has done it again, this time with new sun-reflecting technology. These shingles, when combined with a reflective membrane, can reduce the overall building energy consumption. These shingles are designed to mitigate the heat that often contributes to a faster wear and tear on roofing. By reducing the extremes of temperature change, these shingles will last longer even when exposed to harsh Virginian summers. Ask us about how we can help you upgrade your roof with this brand!
What Color Roof Should You Install in Northern Virginia?
In Northern Virginia, we get consistently hot summers. Although some winters can be harsh, they’re generally mild. If we would recommend any kind of roofing, it would be a great brand like CertainTeed that’s coupled with extra protective measures like a reflective membrane and good attic ventilation. It also doesn’t hurt to explore solar panel tiles that can absorb the sun and convert its heat to energy, which can help save on energy costs in the long run.
So, the color is really up to you, though a lighter colored roof will be an extra protective measure against too much heat absorption.
Trust Your Roof Replacement to Noble Roofing
Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.