Does a Black Roof Make Your House Hotter?
There’s no doubt that black is among the most common roofing colors in SoCal and all over the US. Not only does it look cool, but all the top roofing materials will come in black. But, a question we often get about black roofs, and especially black shingles, is whether they make houses hotter or not.
Well, let’s get one thing straight. Black roofs attract more heat so they’ll inevitably make your house hotter, even by just a few degrees. However, when compared to the same exact roofing material in lighter colors, the temperature difference is not that significant.
So, today, we’ll look at how darker colors and other factors affect the temperature of your house, as well as why most roofs are black.
Are Black Roofs Hotter
In theory, black roofs will be hotter than their light-colored counterparts. This happens because darker colors absorb more heat, which goes straight into your attic, and then into your house. Statistically, this temperature difference is somewhere around the 10-degree mark.
On top of that, a dark roof’s surface is significantly hotter, especially during the SoCal scorching summers.
Do Black Shingles Make Your House Hotter
As with all other roofs, black-shingled ones will also make your house hotter. But there’s a caveat to all of this. You see, when your house is already pretty hot, a 10-degree difference won’t be that noticeable. Plus, this higher temperature is found in your attic, not your whole house.
Admittedly, several other factors play a much more important role in how hot your house will get during the summer.
What Other Factors Affect How Hot Your House Is
Look, even if you opted for black shingles for your roof, chances are there’s a bigger issue with your house if it’s getting too hot.
Roof Material
Your roofing material will matter significantly more when it comes to heat transfer. Let’s compare shingled to metal roofs. Since the latter reflect the sun’s rays much more efficiently than the former, they’ll ensure that your house is cooler.
Insulation
Inadequate insulation is a crucial factor when it comes to increasing house temperatures and electricity bills. Think of insulation as a barrier that makes your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The worse and older it is, the less efficient it proves to be when extreme temperatures show up.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is as important as adequate insulation. Without proper ventilation, all the heat from your house will get trapped in the attic. And, while we all want a sauna in our house, the attic isn’t the right place. In fact, too much moisture up there can cause mold growth, which will destroy the insulation and the whole attic itself.
HVAC System
If you’ve not changed or recently serviced your HVAC system, it might be the one causing that temperature increase in your house. In this case, replacing it is the way to go.
Why Are Black Roofs So Common
Even though we’ve covered what might actually be the cause of your new “sauna house”, a question still remains: why are roofs black when they increase (albeit slightly) your house’s temperature?
Well, the answer is simple. Black roofs have been the norm for quite some time, and they look really cool. Plus, when everyone around your new neighborhood has a black roof, going for a different one would ruin your new house’s curb appeal.
Let Us Choose The Best Shingle Color For Your Roof
We get it; black roofs might not be your favorite. You want to ensure your house stays cool in those sweltering SoCal summers without splurging a month’s wage on the electricity bill. Don’t worry; we’ll help you pick the best roofing color and material the Wise way.
At Roofing Wise, we’ve helped new homeowners with their roof installation and maintenance for many years. Call us now at (833) 315-7663 for a free estimate!