That’s interesting—5 degrees is more than I’d have guessed just from color. I’ve managed a few properties with both light and dark shingles, and honestly, the lighter ones always seemed to keep the attic less stuffy in summer. Did you notice any difference in how fast your AC cycled after the switch? I’m always curious if that temp drop actually translates to lower bills or if it just feels better up there.
Yeah, I’ve seen that 5-degree difference too, and it’s more noticeable than you’d think. In my experience, lighter shingles do help with attic temps, but the impact on AC cycling isn’t always huge unless your insulation’s lacking. Did you upgrade your attic insulation at the same time, or just swap shingles? Sometimes folks expect a big drop in bills, but if the attic’s already well-insulated, the shingle color alone doesn’t always move the needle much. Curious if you noticed any change in humidity up there, too—sometimes that’s as big a deal as the temp.
Sometimes folks expect a big drop in bills, but if the attic’s already well-insulated, the shingle color alone doesn’t always move the needle much.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve managed a few properties where owners swapped to lighter shingles thinking it’d be a game-changer for cooling costs, but honestly, if your attic’s already got decent insulation and ventilation, you might not see a dramatic difference on your bill. It’s like putting a sunhat on top of a winter coat—sure, it helps, but the coat’s doing most of the work.
Humidity’s a sneaky one, though. I’ve seen attics with light shingles still get muggy if the vents aren’t up to snuff or there’s a bathroom fan dumping air up there (happens more than you’d think). Sometimes folks focus so much on temp they forget about moisture, and that’s what leads to those mystery musty smells.
Malarkey’s a solid brand, but I’d say don’t expect miracles from just the shingle color. If you’re already insulated up to code and have good airflow, you’ll probably notice the difference more in how long your AC runs on the hottest days, not so much in your monthly bill. Just my two cents from chasing down hot attics for years...
I get what you’re saying about insulation doing most of the heavy lifting. But I do wonder—has anyone actually tracked attic temps before and after a shingle swap? I’ve always heard lighter colors help, but maybe it’s more about comfort than bills. Also, anyone tried those “cool roof” shingles with reflective granules? Supposedly they bounce more heat, but I don’t know if that’s marketing or real science. My neighbor swears by them, but his AC still runs all day in July...
Supposedly they bounce more heat, but I don’t know if that’s marketing or real science. My neighbor swears by them, but his AC still runs all day in July...
I’ve seen a few “cool roof” installs, and yeah, the science is there—but it’s not magic. Had a client swap to white shingles and log temps before/after. Attic dropped maybe 8-10 degrees on a sunny day, but with lousy insulation it didn’t help much inside. Sometimes I think folks expect the roof to do all the work. Has anyone tried adding a radiant barrier along with new shingles? Curious if that combo actually makes a dent in the power bill or just sounds fancy.
