The Most Energy-Efficient Roof Colors and Materials
Written by Masie Pitchard
When choosing a roof for your home, many considerations must go into the design, material, and color. Energy efficiency is a significant factor for many people because it's better for the environment and can save you a lot of money over time. But what roof color and material is the most energy-efficient option for a home?
Generally, lighter-colored roofs are more energy-efficient than darker ones. Light colors more effectively reflect solar radiation, which helps to reduce heat and keep the inside of the home at a more stable temperature. Metal or tile roofs are some of the most energy-efficient roofing materials.
There are many reasons you would want an energy-efficient roof over one where efficiency isn't a consideration. While an efficient roof can dramatically decrease your electricity bill due to not needing to cool or heat your home as much, it can also help your HVAC system last longer and increase the resale value of your home.
Below, we'll look at the most energy-efficient roof colors, materials, and other considerations to help you decide on the best roofing solution for your situation.
What Roof Color is the Most Energy-Efficient?
Nearly every roofing material has various options in a wide array of colors. Many people only consider aesthetics and how it'll look with the other houses nearby when considering roof color, but it can significantly impact the home's energy efficiency.
Light vs. Dark Roofs
From a very macro view, you can divide nearly every roofing color into two categories: light or dark. To answer whether you should have a light or dark roof for maximum energy efficiency, it is adequately clear that lighter roofs have a significant advantage.
The main reason you want a lighter roof for better energy efficiency is because of solar radiation. Solar radiation, more commonly referred to simply as "sunlight," is a very general term for the radiation emitted by the sun.
It's best to stop as much solar radiation heat from permeating your roof and getting into your attic to increase the efficiency of your home. Less heating getting indoors means less cooling necessary and more energy savings.
Lighter colors reflect more light and heat than darker colors, which "absorb" it more. Generally, efficient roofs will have a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) rating, which accounts for solar reflectance, thermal emissivity, and other factors.
Best Energy-Efficient Roof Colors
Now that you know, lighter-colored roofs reflect heat better and are therefore more energy efficient, let's take a look at a few great colors to go with nearly any home aesthetic. Some of the most popular light roof colors include:
- White (Beige, cream, off-white, etc.)
- Light brown (Tan, sand, khaki, etc.)
- Light gray (Stone, silver, etc.)
- Light blue (Sky, pastel, etc.)
- Light green (Tea, muted green, etc.)
Choosing which roof color works best for your home is highly personal, and you must factor many things into your decision. There's no perfect roof color for the best energy efficiency, but beiges and whites generally excel at reflecting heat more than blues and greens.
In most cases, there's no need to stress choosing the lightest color for your roof to reflect as much heat as possible. Instead, select a color that works best for your situation and preferences, then consider choosing a lighter shade if that is a possibility.
Can a Dark Colored Roof Be Energy-Efficient?
If you have a darker-colored roof or really want one on your home, you may be wondering if there's any way to make it more efficient. But when it comes down to it, a darker roof will rarely ever be more energy efficient than a lighter roof. However, there are some things that you can do to help reflect more heat from a dark roof.
To help make a dark roof more energy-efficient, you have two main options: add a light-colored layer or apply a cool roof solar reflective coating. If those are not an option because you can't apply them to your roofing material or don't want to alter the look of your roof, your next best option is to focus on ventilation and insulation (which we'll discuss more in-depth later in this post).
How Impactful is Roof Color Regarding Energy Efficiency?
An energy-efficient roof (light-colored reflective material with adequate ventilation and insulation) can lower the energy bill of a typical residential home anywhere from 20-40%+. But how important is the color of the roof in making your home more efficient and reducing your energy bill?
Roof color is not the only determining factor in how energy efficient a roof is, but it does play a significant role. Light-colored roofs help reflect solar radiation and heat away from your home so it cannot get into your attic. Therefore, roof color is more critical if your home experiences long exposure to direct sun throughout the day and year.
Locations that experience regular cloudy weather, year-round cold weather, or have a lot of tree shade protecting the house from the sun need to worry less about roof color. Roof design, insulation, and ventilation play a much bigger role in those situations regarding energy efficiency.
The color of your roof will matter much more in hotter climates or places with lots of regular sun exposure. Solar radiation heat permeating the roof to get into the attic is much more of a problem in these situations, so a lighter roof color is essential for energy efficiency.
What Roof Materials are the Most Energy-Efficient?
Now that we've thoroughly covered the importance of a light-colored roof in creating an energy-efficient roof, let's explore some common energy-efficient roofing material options.
You can use nearly every standard modern roofing material to create an energy-efficient home as long as you choose a light color and adequately fulfill the other design, insulation, and ventilation elements, which we'll discuss later. Some materials are objectively more energy efficient than others, but there are always trade-offs.
| Roofing Material | Estimated Price | Estimated Lifespan | Energy Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Shingles | $ | 15-20 years | Medium |
| Metal | $ | 40-70 years | High |
| Clay and Concrete Tiles | $ | 30-50+ years | High |
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for residential homes in the United States, and that's not by mistake. They are relatively affordable, have a reasonable 15-20 years lifespan, and are easy to install.
While asphalt shingles are relatively energy-efficient, they are not top of the line. Other roofing materials are much better at reflecting and releasing solar heat, but they can do a good job, especially if they are lightly colored. Many people go with asphalt shingles due to the approachable price and reasonable energy efficiency.
Metal Roofing
Metal is a pretty popular roofing material, but it's one of the pricier roofing options. Additionally, metal roof installation also costs quite a lot. On the plus side, metal is highly durable and generally lasts 40-70 years without minimal maintenance requirements.
Regarding energy efficiency, metal roofing is one of the best materials for reflecting solar radiation and heat. Metal roofs are so energy efficient that they can save up to 40%+ on your energy bill with good ventilation and insulation. However, it's a higher upfront cost due to the expensive materials and installation process.
Clay and Concrete Tiles
Tile roofs, typically made from clay or concrete, are very popular roofing materials with many good qualities. While they are a bit pricey, concrete tiles can last 30-50 years, while clay tiles last significantly longer at 50-100 years.
Clay and concrete tile roofs are also very energy efficient. Tiles excel at thermal emittance by absorbing heat and releasing it back into the air. Light-colored clay or concrete tiles are incredibly efficient because they reflect solar radiation due to their color and have a high thermal emissivity level.
Additional Factors That Influence Roof Energy Efficiency
There are many factors to consider and plan for if you want to have an energy-efficient roof. The roofing material and color are major components, but other things such as location, climate, roof design, insulation, and ventilation are also vitally important.
Attic Ventilation
Ventilation in the attic, and the rest of your home, for that matter, is essential. Proper ventilation allows constant airflow in and out of your attic to regulate temperature and moisture levels. Consequently, there are two main categories of vents: intake and exhaust.
The main idea behind an energy-efficient roof is to use systems and materials to prevent the exterior temperature from significantly impacting the interior temperature. Efficient, light-colored roofing material is a great first line of defense, but it can't stop all solar radiation heat from entering your attic and home.
Proper ventilation helps keep fresh air coming in and out of your attic, which can help to regulate temperature and stop heat from building up in your attic. Additionally, it helps to control moisture levels which can cause water damage or freezing during the winter months.
Roof Insulation
Insulation is another crucial piece to creating a genuinely energy-efficient roof and home. It helps separate the volatile temperature in the attic from the rest of the house and stops indoor air from accidentally escaping.
Due to proper ventilation, the temperature in the attic is generally colder or warmer than you want indoors. Good attic insulation is essential to ensure the attic temperature interferes as little as possible with the temperature inside your home. There are many insulation options, but fiberglass batt on the attic floor is the most common.
In addition to keeping unwanted air out, attic insulation keeps already cooled or warm air inside. It's important to reduce unwanted outside temperature influences, but it's also vital to minimize indoor air leaks to be as energy-efficient as possible. You don't want to spend money heating or cooling air that just escapes due to insufficient insulation.
Location and Climate
The environment where you live plays a large part in how much you can save by taking steps to create an energy-efficient roof. You obviously cannot change the climate around a home, so it's more important to consider it and temper your expectations regarding savings.
It is more difficult to reap the rewards of an energy-efficient roof in locations with scorching temperatures, cold temperatures, or high solar radiation levels. You can take steps to minimize the heating and cooling you must do in your home, but your energy bill will inevitably be relatively high at such extreme ends of the spectrum.
Most people live in a reasonably temperate climate, so choosing an efficient, light-colored roofing material with adequate ventilation and insulation can provide excellent results. The location of your home, such as how much sun exposure it typically gets and any surrounding shade trees, can also impact your roof's energy efficiency.
Are Energy Efficient Roofs More Expensive?
Energy-efficient roofs tend to cost more than typical residential home roofs because of the increased material cost. Using metal or tile instead of asphalt shingles adds a significant amount to the budget. Plus, any additional solar reflective coating you want to add increases costs further.
It is easy to spend a lot more than a typical roof would cost on being energy efficient, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are some simple choices and decisions that you can make when designing your home's roof to make it more energy-efficient without spending much more than you would anyways.
No matter which roof material you choose, using a lighter-colored option will better reflect solar radiation and help to keep your home cool. Ventilation is crucial to ensure a lack of airflow doesn't trap heat in your attic or cause a moisture buildup. Moisture can wreak havoc on the structure of your home if left unchecked. Proper insulation is also important to keep outside air out and cooled or heated indoor air in its proper place.
Final Thoughts
There's a lot to consider when making your roof more energy-efficient, and it can seem overwhelming. But following the few simple pointers in this post, you can dramatically reduce your energy consumption and bill.
Choose an efficient roofing material that fits your budget, make sure the roof is light in color, properly vent your home, and put plenty of insulation in your attic. When done right, all of these things come together to regulate the temperature in your home better and improve its energy efficiency.
