Published on Friday January 21, 2022
The roof is a big determiner for the overall curb appeal of your home. Choosing the right shingle color can make a big difference. A lot of homeowners enjoy the sleek, modern appeal of black roof shingles but are considering the black roof shingles’ pros and cons before investing.
There are many black roof shingles pros and cons. When compared to lighter shades, you can expect dark shingles to harmonize well with a natural environment but they also may absorb more heat. It’s important to examine current building materials and construction costs as well to ensure you get the best roof for your budget. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider before you invest in a black shingle roof.
Black Roof Shingles Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Flattering Color
When looking at different asphalt shingle types, black roof shingles are a great option for many homes since they go well with different exterior home colors and siding types. If you’re having a difficult time selecting a shingle roof color that will flatter the exterior color of your home, black shingles may be the answer. They are easily complementary and go well with siding, stone, and brick. You want your new roof to look amazing and sometimes black shingles are the best.
2. They Hide Structure Imperfections
If your home’s roof has any structural imperfections, a black shingle roof can be a great way to disguise them. Black shingle roofs are visually appealing and do a great job of blending any unevenness or deformities, making the structure appear new and fresh. The best black shingle roofs for hiding any structural defects in your roof are of higher quality and should be installed by a professional. Be sure to work with manufacturers who have a history of success and with roofing companies that have a solid reputation of experience and expertise. High-end, luxury shingles are always better than low-end materials.
3. Suitable for a Variety of Installation Options
Black roof shingles are a great option for a wide variety of structure types and installation requirements. Whether you have a home, barn, shed, gazebo, guest house, or even a detached garage, a black shingle roof could be the perfect roofing upgrade. Consider the color choice to be sure it will improve the quality of your property, and check with a professional to make sure shingles are a good choice for your type of roof structure. In most cases, you can expect to get a green light and get started on your roofing upgrade.
4. Maintain Heat in Winter
If you install a black shingle roof on your home, you can expect the dark color to absorb heat from the sun and build up in the attic. This is great for winter weather since it provides a barrier against the cold and helps keep your home warmer longer.
5. Melts Snow Faster
Since black roof shingles maintain higher heat levels than lighter colors, they melt snow and ice off your roof faster. If you have extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures, snowfall, or ice, then it may not make a huge difference over time. But in areas that still get sunshine, you can expect snow to melt faster on black shingle roofs.
Cons
1. Shorter Lifespan
Shingle roofs have a shorter lifespan than many other roofing types. Some dark shingle roofs can wear down faster than lighter colored shingles due to their heat absorption. Since black shingles reach higher temperatures than lighter shingles, they can break down quicker. UV rays play a huge role in how long a shingle roof will last. If you’re hoping to extend the lifespan of your black shingle roof, it’s important to have a certain amount of attic ventilation to help support your roof. Choosing higher-quality black shingle roofs can also mean an extended lifespan.
2. Hot Attics
In the summertime, homes with black roof shingles may end up with a hotter home. Black roof shingles absorb heat, forcing it downwards into the house. This extra heat can end up keeping your attics pretty toasty, even forcing your HVAC unit to work harder to keep the rest of the home cool in the summertime. This can increase utility bills during the hot months of the year.
3. Increased Energy Consumption
Due to their heat absorption, black shingle roofs can cause extra energy use during the hottest months of the year, especially during the peak heat during the day when the sun is at its highest. Your home’s HVAC unit will need to run harder to keep the home at a desirable temperature.
4. Increased Mold Risk
While some black shingle roofs are waterproof, others aren’t. That’s why it’s so important to check the manufacturing standards of the shingles you choose. Some black shingles allow moisture and humidity to sneak under the shingles—especially during seasons of the year with high humidity. This can cause roof damage due to mold growth under and around the shingles.
Speak with the Roofing Experts
If you’re in the market for a classic aesthetic but don’t want to pay the price, look no further than Long Roofing. We’re committed to offering the best products available to give you the roof of your dreams. Call or visit us online to request a quote and schedule a free, in-home consultation today.
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FAQs
Dark shingles absorb more heat than light shingles. In colder climates, this is an advantage. Another perk to having dark shingles is that they also help to melt snow accumulation faster than light shingles. There are other factors that impact how the sun impacts the internal temperatures of your home.
Is there a downside to black shingles? ›
Depending on where you live, this could be a pro or a con of black roofs. Black roofs hold in heat which can make your home hotter during the summer and make your HVAC system work harder. The black material can attract more sunlight than other colors and potentially lead to faster deterioration.
Does a black roof raise your electric bill? ›
During the hottest part of these cooler days, your black roof will keep your house warm and cut down on your heating bills. Overall, having a black roof is not a death sentence for your energy bill, but it certainly isn't the best color option either.
Do black shingles not last as long? ›
In warmer climates, the color of your roof can affect how long it lasts. Darker colors absorb more heat and may not last as long in warmer climates, as far South as Florida or Texas. The darker the color, the more heat it absorbs. The more heat it absorbs, the faster it will deteriorate.
Do black asphalt shingles make your house hotter? ›
Darker shingles do absorb more heat, this is true. In summer a darker roof will measure hotter than a roof with lighter color shingles. However, if you stuck a thermometer to both of those roofs in the middle of a South Carolina summer, they would both exceed temperatures of 120 – 140 degrees. It's hot.
What color roof is best for resale? ›
Considering Future Trends in Roof Color Selection
Choosing timeless colors ensures that your home appeals to future buyers, regardless of passing fads. Consider neutral tones like charcoal, grays, beiges, and slate. Their versatility and enduring appeal are always favored.
What color shingles last the longest? ›
A considerable number of homeowners have it that light shingles last longer. However, several shingle manufacturers say that there is no proof that a certain color of shingles lasts longer. There is no adequate information to show that a certain color of shingles lasts longer than the others.
Do black roofs help in winter? ›
Black roofs can help reduce energy costs in both summer and winter. In summer, the dark color absorbs heat from the sun, keeping the building cooler. In winter, the black roof helps to retain heat, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the building.
Are black roofs more expensive? ›
Black looks Expensive. While a black metal roof costs the same as a white one, most homeowners like the luxurious feel it adds to their property.
What color shingle is most energy efficient? ›
White or light-colored roofs reflect heat rays from the sun, keeping the attic and rooms below it cool during warm weather. As a result, the building's cooling load decreases, helping home and business owners stay comfortable and save money on their energy bills.
As a result, black roofs fell out of style. Fast-forward to today, and black roofs are back in style as modern homeowners opt for distinctiveness rather than conformity–especially among younger homeowners seeking a more modern look.
Is there a shingle that last 50 years? ›
50-Year Roofing Shingles
Well, it all depends on the area. Sure, many 50-year shingles can withstand the test of time. You may install these shingles on your home, endure the occasional thunderstorm but otherwise fair weather, and discover that they truly last half a century or longer.
Should the roof be darker or lighter than the house? ›
A darker roof with lighter siding is common and naturally pleasing to the eye. However, the reverse can look amazing, too. For a more dramatic exterior, try a cool-toned, blue roof with tan, warm-toned siding. For a more subtle exterior, consider a green, warm-toned roof with tan siding.
Is there a downside to a black roof? ›
In general, darker roofs will absorb heat, while lighter roofs will absorb less heat. This means that having a black roof on your home can require you to use your cooling system more often in the summer. Not only can this increase your energy bills, but it can also put more strain on your system.
How much difference does a black roof make? ›
When comparing a totally white shingle to a totally black shingle, the attic temperature may increase 8-10 degrees. However, when you get into the grays, browns and tans, there is only a 2-3 degree difference. Also, an 8 degree increase in attic temperature does not mean an 8 degree increase in your house.
What is the difference between black and charcoal shingles? ›
The difference between the two is that Moire black has a lighter tone variation and is more uniform in look than Charcoal black. On the other hand, Charcoal black is the darkest color of the roofing shingles available in the Landmark® series.
Is a black metal roof a bad idea? ›
So yes, a black metal roof will absorb more heat in the summer than a lighter color roof, but that shouldn't stop you from choosing the color that you want. There are always simple ways to counter the heat transfer with insulation and that same idea applies in the winter.
Are white shingles better than black shingles? ›
Black Vs. White
Black-shingled roofs generally get 10-15 degrees warmer than white-shingled roofs on sunny days. During the evening, though, black-shingled roofs lose heat faster than white-shingled ones. Both black- and white-shingled roofs show similar nighttime temperature profiles.
Why do builders use dark shingles? ›
Builders often use dark shingles because they complement a variety of architectural styles and hide dirt well. In colder climates, they absorb more heat, which can help keep the house warm and reduce energy costs.
What are 2 disadvantages to asphalt shingles? ›
What are the Main Disadvantages of Shingle Roofing?
- Asphalt shingle roofing, in particular, absorbs heat from the sun and transfers it into the home. ...
- Asphalt shingle is a heavier material compared to others such as metal.
- The durability of a shingle roof isn't as long compared to other roofing materials.
