Have you ever passed by an elegant-looking home? If you notice, one of the first thing that you eye catches is the front exterior of the house followed by the different features of the architectural design, and finally the aesthetic style of the roof. In most cases, the roof has a long-lasting impression on visitors and passers-by.
But our roof isn’t just there to get the attention of your neighbors or visitors, it serves an important purpose of keeping your home and roof dry. If you’re going to be installing shingles to your roof, you shouldn’t just weigh-in on the aesthetic impact, but also on the advantages that certain colours give.
Shingles have been an important part of many roofing systems for centuries. Even since the medieval eras, shingles have kept homes safe from strong winds, heavy rainfall, and even the accumulated weight of snow on roofs. However, to get the most out of your shingles, you’ll have to pick the right roofing material to go along with the environment that it’s designed for.
But before we get into which of the two roofing materials are better, we have to first understand why most homeowners would use darker shingles for colder weather and why some would use lighter colored shingles for warmer weather.
Simply put, there is no right choice in the matter. The best choice depends on several conditions that have to be weighed in by the homeowner and the contractor. Planning can get you a long way and can help mitigate any man-made errors during the installation process.
One of the main factors that you should take into account when choosing the color of shingles is the climate. Most areas in the United States that is usually warmer and sunny most of the year will usually have lighter-colored shingles since it can reflect of UV rays and penetrative heat. Darker shingles tend to absorb heat and will make for a better way of melting off ice and ice dams from your roof which makes it ideal for colder and wetter climates.
Another condition to take into account is the insulation of your roof. If you’re going to be using darker shingles that absorb heat, chances are moisture will also get trapped on the interior of your roof. It’s best to keep a lookout for any form of ‘sweating’ on your ceiling since this can lead to mildews and molds.
If you’re looking for the right shingles for your roof, you should also look at the price, longevity, and the durability of the product. If you’re going to be installing light-colored shingles that are still susceptible to high winds and you’re living in a coastal town, you should reconsider what you’re choosing.
No worries, if you’re confused on what’s the best shingles in the market, you can always ask the professional opinion of your local roofing specialist.
If you’re moving towards colder regions in the United States, you’ll notice that roofs will have darker shingles. The darker color of shingles will help absorb heat faster than lighter colored shingles. If your home is situated in an area with cold weather, having darker shingles is preferred since it will help melt off snow which might add weight to your roof. Moreover, this will also stop the formation of ice dams as it will cause leaks to form.
If you’re not comfortable with darker colored shingles for your roof, there are always alternatives such as solar panels that are able to absorb heat and use it to melt off snow from your roof.
Homes that are situated in warmer states in the United States tend to have lighter colored roofs. Most houses that are situated in LA, SA, Nevada, and some parts of Texas tend to have light colored shingles. Scientifically, light colors can help reflect off UV light which can transport heat.
If you’re not sure in using light colored shingles for your roof, you can always use reflective roof in the form of metal roofing or even specialized paint that will help reflect off UV light.
Ultimately, there’s no right answer on which of the two shingles are better and will depend on the weather that your home is situated in. If it’s warmer, having lighter colored and reflective shingles can bounce off excess heat while darker colored shingles are great for colder weather. Naturally, you shouldn’t also leave out the durability, longevity, cost, and overall quality of your roofing Randolph NJ.
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