Do Black Shingles Make Your House Hotter?

We often prefer and prioritize a good-looking home exterior, and roofing shingles are no exception to this. While many people choose black shingles for their visual appeal, they often wonder if, because of their color, black shingles cause the attic to heat up.  It’s important to note that black shingles alone do not cause higher attic temperatures, there are several factors that contribute to a home’s attic temperature and energy efficiency.

In this blog post, we will take a close look at the properties of black shingles that raise this question, in hopes of helping you be able to determine if they are well-suited for your home. By carefully balancing aesthetics with functionality, you can make a well-informed decision that’s best suited for your home’s needs. 

A Comment on Black And Light-Colored Shingles & Your Home’s Temperature

If your home receives direct sunlight, or you live in a hotter climate, the roof will naturally be hotter. Regardless of color, shingles will heat up and transfer that heat through to the attic. If the attic becomes too hot, it increases the temperature of your home and decreases its level of energy efficiency. Luckily, you can minimize the effect of heat transfer to some degree by properly installing insulation and the right amount of ventilation. 

While light-colored shingles won’t significantly cool your home in the summer, they do have a slight cooling effect. This is because light-colored shingles reflect most of the heat that hits them, transferring a minimal amount of heat to the attic, which reduces temperatures in the attic compared to those with black shingles. Regardless, the effectiveness of any shingle color is reduced without proper attic insulation. Without it, your attic will still become very hot, regardless of the shingle color.

While black shingles do absorb more heat, those living in colder climates or places that experience all four seasons can actually benefit from this characteristic. The heat absorbed by black shingles helps melt snow and keeps the temperature of the roof stable.

Here is a closer look at some of the other benefits black shingles provide that make them a contender for homes with adequate insulation and ventilation. 

The Advantages of Black Shingles 

The fact that black shingles absorb more light and heat from the sun doesn’t mean they are a bad option that shouldn’t be considered. There are many benefits of black shingles that make them the preferred choice for many homeowners. Here are some of them: 

1. Aesthetically Pleasing

One of the reasons homeowners install black shingles on homes or commercial buildings is that they are aesthetically pleasing. They tend to blend perfectly with any home’s architecture and color. Moreover, they draw attention toward the roof, making your home stand out in the neighborhood. 

2. Helps Melt Snow

Ice dams are a real problem that occur on many homes across the country. They form due to uneven surface temperature across the roof, particularly along the eaves where it’s colder.  The lack of insulation and ventilation in your roof contributes to their formation as well. However, since black shingles absorb heat, they have a better chance of maintaining equal, or at least better temperature across the surface of the roof, even in freezing weather. They can help melt the snow on the roof when it’s sunny out, which may prevent serious ice dams. 

3. Enhances Durability

Many black shingles are made with materials that offer enhanced durability and resistance to weathering, such as synthetic shingles. This can result in a longer lifespan for the roof, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. 

4. Hides Structural Imperfections

Though structural damage or imperfections shouldn’t be ignored, it can become necessary to hide them if the damage isn’t serious, such as cosmetic damage in the form of marks on shingles caused by hail. Black shingles are great for this since they create a visually uniform appearance across the roof’s surface, helping mask variations in materials or construction techniques that might be more apparent with lighter-colored roofing materials. Since they reflect less light, it also makes the irregularities in the shingles less visible compared to those on lighter-colored shingles. 

5. They Never Go Out of Style

It has been evident since the beginning of modern roofing that black shingles are often preferred by homeowners. Their aesthetically pleasing nature also adds to their lifelong curb appeal and charm, making them the main focus of a home. 

Also read: How To Use A Roof Shingle Color Selector Tool Effectively

Should You Install Black Shingles? 

Your choice to install black shingles on your home or office space will be determined by a few factors such as the following:  

1. Climate

In cooler climates or during colder seasons, black shingles can help absorb more heat from the sun, aiding in warming up the home and potentially reducing heating costs. However, black shingles may absorb excessive heat in warmer climates, increasing interior cooling costs.

2. Aesthetic Preference

Black shingles can provide a rich and sophisticated look to a home’s exterior, enhancing its curb appeal. But that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone! Consider whether black shingles align with your aesthetic preferences and complement the overall style of your home.

3. Maintenance

As discussed earlier, black shingles are good at hiding imperfections such as dirt, stains, and debris better than lighter-colored shingles, resulting in a cleaner appearance over time. However, they may also show wear and tear more visibly, requiring regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.

4. Environmental Impact

Some black shingles come with features such as UV protection and fade resistance, which can help maintain their color intensity and prolong their lifespan. Additionally, choosing energy-efficient roofing materials can contribute to reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

If you want to install black shingles on your home or commercial property, consider these 10 Black Roof Shingles To Make Your Roof Stand Out In 2024.

Contact Professional Roofers In WI For Your Shingle Installation

If you are considering installing a shingle roof on your home or commercial property, contact the professional and skilled team of roofers at Kickapoo Roofing In Wisconsin. The roofers at our company specialize in any type of roof installation, replacement, and roof repair. We also only use the highest-quality roofing materials manufactured by brands such as GAF, Malarkey, DaVinci, EDCO, and F-Wave. In addition to our expert roofing services, we serve homeowners with home exterior services, including siding, gutters, and skylights. Contact us today at (608) 352-8688 to speak with one of our experts and find out how we can help you.