The basic physics of light and colors tells that darker colors absorb more light spectrum, while lighter colors reflect more.
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What effect does the color on a roof have upon interior temperatures?
It may surprise you to know that interior temperatures are more dependent on the materials than the color.
Different materials have different properties when it comes to heat radiating, dispersing or holding. High reflectivity roofing materials will reflect most of the incoming sunlight back out. Low reflectivity will cause the product’s heat to be absorbed faster, which can raise the temperature in your attic or home.
Metal roofs, on the other hand, have high reflectivity and shingles have low reflectivity. Reflectivity of any reflective surface is affected by dirt, dust, and covering.
Not only does proper attic ventilation prevent moisture buildup, but it also helps keep your home and attic cool. If you want to keep your Florida roof temperatures down, proper roof ventilation is more important than roof colors. A better ventilated attic space will reduce the chance that a color will affect the temperature. Roof ventilation can be achieved by combining ridge vents with soffit vents.
Overall, the color of your roof has little effect on the energy balance of a well-insulated home. We recommend that you choose the color of your roof based on your personal preferences.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier Clearwater Roofing Contractor! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.
