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Do I Need To Install Dark or Light Shingles?

September 2, 2022

Are you building a new roof or reconstructing the old one? We’re sure you’ve put a lot of thought into getting the perfect material for your shingles for proper ventilation, insulation, and waterproofing. However, with this comes another important question: Do I need to install dark or light shingles?

We say, go for the color you want, whether dark or light, based on the overall paint color of your house. However, many people are of the opinion that light shingles are better for energy efficiency. How true is that? And what happens if you get dark shingles instead of light ones? Let’s explore!

Dark Vs. Light Shingles

We have made side-by-side comparisons of dark and light shingles based on certain factors:

1. Temperature

It is said that the color of your shingles can affect the temperature of your home. For instance, light-shaded shingles deflect sunlight, dropping the internal temperature by a significant level. On the other hand, dark-colored shingles absorb heat and keep your house warm. While it’s possible there may be some tiny truth to these observations, it’s not enough to make a difference. Insulation is the first line of defense in creating an energy-efficient home. While it’s important to have a roof that is well-ventilated, the color of your roof has little effect on how comfortable your home is.

2. Style

When choosing the color of shingles for your roof, you have to consider the overall paint color of your house. While many believe light shingles go best with light-colored houses and dark shingles look great on dark-colored houses, we disagree! We believe that there should be a contrast. For instance, if your house is painted in a lighter shade, dark shingles would look more pronounced, and vice versa. However, there is no hard and fast rule about choosing the color of shingles. You can go for whichever color you like, based on your taste and preference.

3. Durability

Another point of debate between dark and light shingles is their durability. People believe that dark shingles have a longer lifespan compared to light shingles. Mainly because darker shades can tolerate more heat, live through snow, don’t fade quickly, and are good at hiding imperfections. However, there’s no proof to back this fact. Color has nothing to do with longevity. If your roof is properly ventilated and has a place from where the heat can escape, it will last longer, regardless if it has light or dark shingles. 

So, What’s It Going to Be?

Dark shingles or light shingles? Actually, we even offer options that have a combination of both. We think your choice of the color of shingles depends on your personal preference and what looks aesthetically pleasing with the overall paint color of your house. 

If you have always dreamed of a house with red shingles, go for it! If you think light grey or white would make your house appear minimalistic and chic, get light shingles! If you feel blended colors like dark grey go better with the style of your home, they really do! Just go with whatever is suitable for your home. Regardless of which option you choose, our team at IBEX Roof will make sure that your home looks great.

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At IBEX Roof, we strive to make your experience with us as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We’ll explain everything in detail and provide an exact estimate for your project. We’ll show up on time, keep disruptions to your home and property to a minimum, and make sure you’re happy with our work once we’re finished.
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