One of the best things about asphalt shingle roof installation is that there are so many styles and colors of shingles now available.

Gone are the days when the only colors offered by leading shingle roofing services were black and different variations of gray.

With many new colors now available from shingle roofers, does the color even matter?

Learn here about shingle colors and considerations to make when choosing the perfect asphalt shingle roof!

The Basics of Color and How It Affects A Shingle Roof Installation

A basic rule when choosing colors for any reason is that darker colors attract UV heat energy to a greater extent than lighter colors do.

At the two ends of this spectrum are black, which absorbs the most heat and causes a material to warm up and hold that heat and white, which reflects the most heat and allows different materials to remain cooler.

This reaction works the same way for an asphalt shingle roof installation, with black or darker shingles absorbing more heat energy from the sun than light gray shingles, which reflect more UV energy.

Beyond the physical warmth and coolness of heat absorption, there is also that of individual different colors in which reds and browns are “warmer” visual colors, while greens and blues are “cooler” visual colors.

By understanding these concepts, shingle roofing services can easily estimate that a roof in any darker shade, regardless of the color, will absorb more heat while a lighter roof in any color will reflect more.

Blacks, dark grays, dark browns, dark blues, maroons, and dark greens will absorb more heat than will lighter grays, tans as well as light browns, and lighter blues, greens, and reds.

In terms of actual color choice, warm roofing colors should be matched with warm siding colors, and vice-versa for a roof to look attractive on a particular house.

Aesthetic Factors When Choosing Colors For Asphalt Shingles

While shingle roofers find it important to understand how darker and lighter colors affect an asphalt shingle roof, it is also important to consider the aesthetic value of these different colors and their visual effects on the house.

A classic black or dark gray roof generally looks fine on almost any home regardless of its color, but other roof colors might look especially pleasing on homes with contrasting color palettes.

A dark roof with a light exterior can look great, as can a light roof with a darker exterior as long as the two color families correspond.

Unexpected shingle colors or an asphalt shingle roof installation that includes multiple varying shades can create a unique and attractive look.

There are many ways that homeowners can match dark and light colors on their home’s exterior to create an individual appearance that fits their siding color while also making a statement.

Does Color Actually Matter for Asphalt Shingles?

Although a darker roof installed by a shingle roofing service will indeed absorb more heat than a lighter roof, shingle colors do not matter so much when appropriate adjustments are made to prevent heat passage through the roof.

By installing high-quality insulation in the attic, both under the roof and over the ceiling, and ensuring adequate attic ventilation, shingle roofers can reduce the absorption of heat through a dark roof in a hot climate or promote the containment of heat under a light roof in a colder climate.

Enough insulation and ventilation in the right places allow homeowners to choose just about any color shingles they prefer while also keeping their homes reasonably energy-efficient.