When you make the decision to replace your roof, color choice is probably top on your list to get right. Although it’s always nice to have a shingle color that matches your home’s aesthetics and residential area, there are other considerations when it comes to choosing your new roof’s color. Check out how roof color changes heat absorption, affects snow melt and more by reading below:
Roof Absorption & Reflection
Before you go checking out roof colors, make sure to note: the color of your roof affects your home’s internal temperature. Lighter-colored roofs tend to reflect the sun’s heat rays, resulting in your home being cooler, especially in the summer months. In contrast, dark-colored roofs absorb heat – much like dark clothing – and heat the rooms within your home.
Roof absorption and reflection are not only determined by color. It also depends on a few other factors, including the material and reflectiveness of your roofing material. A good example of a non-reflective material is asphalt. Asphalt shingles are less reflective than other materials, such as metal and rubber; this may cause more heat to be absorbed than a darker-colored metal roof replacement.
Roof Color & Snow Melt
Because of Michigan’s cold winters, often welcoming snow and ice storms, it’s important to consider the right kinds of roofing materials for Midwest weather. There’s no surprise here, but because darker roofs absorb more heat, they tend to help melt snow quicker. Before you say a darker roof is the-way-to-go for your Michigan roof though, consider a few things, first:
- Daylight Hours – During winter months, Midwest cities have less sunlight exposure than the spring and summer, reducing the amount of heat a roof can absorb or reflect
- Snow-Covered Roofs – If Michigan has a particularly snowy winter, there’s a good chance your roof could be covered in the elements more often than not. Because the color white reflects rather than absorbs, you’ll have to make sure to keep your roof brushed off in the midst of winter weather and storms
- Ice Dams – Keeping snow and ice brushed off your roof is not only to help with heat absorption in the winter; it’s also important to limit ice dam build-up. If you’re re-doing your roof, it’s key to check out your insulation and ventilation, as these can also be culprits for ice dam build-up
Roof Color Recommendation
As you can probably see, a roof color recommendation is not always straightforward. If you live in a climate with warmer weather, Energy.gov recommends lighter-colored roofs. However, lighter-colored roofs will likely increase your energy costs in winter months, as Michigan has distinct winter and summer seasons.
If you have questions on what to do with your new roof replacement, give one of our specialists at Herbert Roofing a call. With over 40 years of experience in the Michigan roofing industry, we can point you and your home in the direction that bets suits your needs.
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