That’s a good point about installation making all the difference. I’ve seen neighbors go cheap on shingles and skip the ice & water shield, then end up with leaks after just a few winters. I went with architectural shingles too, mostly because metal was way out of my budget, and honestly, I don’t mind the look. Has anyone noticed if the darker shingles really make the attic hotter? I’ve heard mixed things, but my upstairs does get toasty in July.
Honestly, I’m not totally convinced the color of the shingles is the main thing making attics hotter. My cousin has lighter shingles and still complains about his upstairs being an oven in July. I think attic ventilation matters way more than shingle shade, at least where I live.
I think attic ventilation matters way more than shingle shade, at least where I live.
Yeah, I’d agree with that. Around here, poor ventilation is usually the main culprit for hot attics—doesn’t matter if the shingles are light or dark. Saw a place last summer with brand new pale shingles, but they had zero soffit vents... upstairs was still roasting. Proper airflow makes a bigger difference than just picking a color.
Proper airflow makes a bigger difference than just picking a color.
That’s spot on. I’ve seen plenty of roofs where folks went with the “cool” shingle color, but skipped out on adding ridge or soffit vents—attic temps still shot up in summer. Shingle shade can help a bit, but without balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, you’re not solving the real problem. Good airflow protects your shingles too, not just your comfort.
Shingle shade can help a bit, but without balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, you’re not solving the real problem.
I get where you’re coming from, but I wouldn’t write off shingle color entirely. When I replaced my roof last year (asphalt, midwest), I went with a lighter shade and noticed the attic stayed a few degrees cooler even before I upgraded the vents. Maybe it’s not a fix-all, but if you’re on a tight budget and can’t do full ventilation upgrades right away, picking the right color does make some difference. Not huge, but worth considering if every dollar counts.
