What Are the Pros and Cons of a Black Roof?

by | Jul 29, 2022 | Roof Maintenance, Roof Replacement

Early into the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine, many Americans decided that it was time to remodel their home more to their way of liking. This included landscaping changes, bathroom renovations, or even roofing improvements. An increasingly popular choice was the implementation of a black roof.

AWS Roofing has been a family-owned and operated roofing company since 1987. We’ve seen many unique roofing circumstances and consulted on countless home improvement projects. That’s why in this article, we’re going to break down the pros and cons of a black roof.

Is a Black Roof a Good Idea?

When replacing or improving a roof or building a home from scratch, there are a few factors to consider. Durability and roof shingle lifetime are likely your most important. But don’t forget about the aesthetic and curb appeal that comes with a roof. After all, a roof can account for almost 40% of your home’s visual exterior.

Of course, we’re talking about the importance of color. A black roof can be a good idea depending on your house’s look. It provides a bold pop while matching a variety of paint colors. You want a roof, though, that’ll match your house while providing great functional use. AWS Roofing can help you here.

Pros of a Black Roof

Once you have a great roof shingle chosen, the color largely comes down to personal preference. But on top of that, there’s more factors to consider why a black roof is beneficial:

  • The color retains more heat in the home. As most people know, black attracts and retains the most heat. So if your home has a black roof, it will circulate more natural heat; this will reduce winter bills. Of course, if you’re in Florida (like AWS Roofing), retaining heat likely isn’t on the top of your list.
  • Black roof shingles are typically waterproof. Because black roof shingles are often made from asphalt, they have a fiberglass infusion. This is a product that’s waterproof and also more fireproof than other market options.

Cons of a Black Roof

When choosing a roof, however, you want to make sure it’s the right fit. That’s why we want to throw out some of the disadvantages to having a black roof:

  • With black roof shingles, you don’t have the option to reflect sunlight. For this reason, you might not see darker roofs in warmer climates, but there are certainly homeowners who do it. If your home is new and has great HVAC, the black roof can hardly be noticeable.
  • The lifespan for black roof shingles might be less than for other shingles. Most manufacturers see no difference between two products’ lifespans between light vs. dark shingles. Yet, heat increases molecular activity which means hotter temperatures can reduce lifespan.
  • Your home can appear smaller with a black roof. This drawback might seem kind of out there, but black roof shingles can reduce imperfections which reduces the visual size. So if you have a small house already, there’s a chance the black roof shingles can make your house look smaller than it actually is.

Is It Better to Have a White or Black Roof?

Your roof will significantly correlate to the value of your home. Plus, you need a roof to be functional, preventing leaks and lasting a while. We’re confident there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to roofing problems. So, it’s tough to decide whether a black or white roof is better for you. Yet, we’re more than happy to talk more with you on the scenario.

Contact AWS Roofing for a Free Quote

For any of your roofing needs, you can count on AWS Roofing. Whether it’s residential or commercial, or even products, we’re here to help. Contact us for a free estimate!

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875 W. Park Ave
Edgewater, FL 32132

Email

info@awsroofing.com

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Call: (386) 423-3076