What color roof is most energy efficient in Durham?
The answer to this question is very simple, lighter colors reflect more sunlight while darker colors absorb more heat. This concept is true in regards to cars, color of shirts and yes even roofing materials. A darker roof will always absorb more heat compared to a light grey roof, this may not be a bad thing though and in many cases actually is a benefit. There are other factors to consider though when talking about roofing materials and being energy efficient. While the color and material of your roof can greatly impact the home’s energy efficiency and help lower heating and cooling bills the attic is where the magic happens (or causes problems).
Most homes have an attic above the ceiling, in general an attic space can vary as much as 30 degrees depending on the color of your shingles and the quality of the material. This means that If you have a black roof for example that the attic could potentially be 30 degrees warmer on a hot summer day compared to a light grey colored roof. You may ask “why do the majority of homes have a black roof?” and the answer to that is two fold.
Your attic is heavily insulated to keep the heat out/in the home and is also designed to release hot air through various ventilation areas. These areas and insulation keep the majority of heat from entering the home and release heat coming from the roof back outside. Even if your attic is 35 degrees warmer than the home’s temperature, if you have the proper amount of insulation you won't notice a huge difference in your energy bills. However if you have old and broken down insulation or a lack of insulation in the attic you may notice an increase in energy costs very rapidly. The attic is the main barrier from the heat entering the home and the cold air leaving during the summertime.
The second half to the question stated above is the affordability and lifespan of black asphalt shingles compared to other roofing materials. Roofing materials have varied over the years but generally speaking black asphalt shingles are the most common in the country and have a long lifespan of 25-30 years. Black asphalt shingles are also much more affordable compared to some of the premium colored materials that can potentially help reduce the heat in the attic space by several degrees. In the majority of homes high energy bills can also occur due to windows and doors being left open and the heat/cool air escaping to the outside. Most black shingles will be roughly 10-15 degrees warmer on the exterior of the home compared to a lighter colored shingle.
In many areas across the country where the temperature doesn't get cold you will find more lighter colored shingles. Warmer locations do not need to absorb heat from the sun during the winter months since their winter temperatures are very mild and it is more important to reflect heat away from the property. However in places that get lots of rain, snow and ice a darker colored shingle will help melt the snow and help dry the roof faster when it rains and the sun comes out. If you would like the best of both worlds a carker colored grey shingle would reflect more heat than a solid black color while still absorbing some heat during the winter months.
The last thing to consider when choosing shingle colors for your home is determining which color will make the home more aesthetically appealing. A new roof automatically makes the home look better but certain colors may tie into the color scheme of the home better than others. For example If your new roof is a blue color and your house is pink then it might not be the best choice (even if the blue shingles help save energy). Be sure to pick colors that fit your home well, that way if you do end up selling your home in the next 15 years it will have a nice curb appeal and be able to sell much faster.
Most homes have an attic above the ceiling, in general an attic space can vary as much as 30 degrees depending on the color of your shingles and the quality of the material. This means that If you have a black roof for example that the attic could potentially be 30 degrees warmer on a hot summer day compared to a light grey colored roof. You may ask “why do the majority of homes have a black roof?” and the answer to that is two fold.
Your attic is heavily insulated to keep the heat out/in the home and is also designed to release hot air through various ventilation areas. These areas and insulation keep the majority of heat from entering the home and release heat coming from the roof back outside. Even if your attic is 35 degrees warmer than the home’s temperature, if you have the proper amount of insulation you won't notice a huge difference in your energy bills. However if you have old and broken down insulation or a lack of insulation in the attic you may notice an increase in energy costs very rapidly. The attic is the main barrier from the heat entering the home and the cold air leaving during the summertime.
The second half to the question stated above is the affordability and lifespan of black asphalt shingles compared to other roofing materials. Roofing materials have varied over the years but generally speaking black asphalt shingles are the most common in the country and have a long lifespan of 25-30 years. Black asphalt shingles are also much more affordable compared to some of the premium colored materials that can potentially help reduce the heat in the attic space by several degrees. In the majority of homes high energy bills can also occur due to windows and doors being left open and the heat/cool air escaping to the outside. Most black shingles will be roughly 10-15 degrees warmer on the exterior of the home compared to a lighter colored shingle.
In many areas across the country where the temperature doesn't get cold you will find more lighter colored shingles. Warmer locations do not need to absorb heat from the sun during the winter months since their winter temperatures are very mild and it is more important to reflect heat away from the property. However in places that get lots of rain, snow and ice a darker colored shingle will help melt the snow and help dry the roof faster when it rains and the sun comes out. If you would like the best of both worlds a carker colored grey shingle would reflect more heat than a solid black color while still absorbing some heat during the winter months.
The last thing to consider when choosing shingle colors for your home is determining which color will make the home more aesthetically appealing. A new roof automatically makes the home look better but certain colors may tie into the color scheme of the home better than others. For example If your new roof is a blue color and your house is pink then it might not be the best choice (even if the blue shingles help save energy). Be sure to pick colors that fit your home well, that way if you do end up selling your home in the next 15 years it will have a nice curb appeal and be able to sell much faster.