Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—shingle color or brand barely matters if the attic’s just trapping heat. What really helped at my place was sealing up gaps, then adding soffit vents and a ridge vent. The difference was way more noticeable than when I swapped out shingles. Marketing makes it sound like a magic fix, but unless the attic can breathe, it’s just fighting a losing battle.
Marketing makes it sound like a magic fix, but unless the attic can breathe, it’s just fighting a losing battle.
I get what you’re saying about ventilation being the real game-changer, but does shingle color really not matter at all? I’ve managed a few buildings where we swapped out dark shingles for lighter ones, and it seemed like the AC didn’t have to work quite as hard after. Maybe it’s not a huge difference compared to adding vents, but I wouldn’t say it’s nothing. Curious if anyone’s actually measured attic temps before and after a shingle change?
Also, with Malarkey or other “cool roof” brands, do those coatings actually help, or is that just more marketing hype?
Shingle color does make a difference, just not as much as people hope. I swapped out dark for light on my own place (asphalt, midwest summers), and the attic temp dropped maybe 5-8 degrees—not nothing, but vents did more. As for Malarkey and cool roof coatings, they’re legit in terms of reflectivity ratings, but you’ll still need good airflow up there or you’re just trapping heat anyway. If you want to geek out, some folks use temp sensors before/after—worth a shot if you’re curious.
I’ve seen the same thing—color helps a bit, but attic ventilation is usually the bigger deal. I’m curious if anyone’s actually noticed a difference in their cooling bills after switching to Malarkey or another “cool” shingle? I’ve had owners ask, but honestly, I haven’t seen much hard data. Also, has anyone tried adding insulation at the same time as swapping shingles? Wondering if that combo makes more of a dent in attic temps than just changing the roof alone.
- I’ve actually seen a few homes where folks swapped to “cool” shingles, but the drop in attic temps wasn’t as dramatic as they hoped.
- Ventilation and insulation seem to move the needle more, at least in my area (humid summers, lots of sun).
- Had one client add R-38 insulation during a re-roof—attic stayed noticeably cooler, but their bills only dropped a little.
- Sometimes I wonder if shingle color gets overhyped compared to just fixing airflow and sealing up gaps.
- Anyone else notice that radiant barriers get overlooked? I’ve seen those make a bigger dent than just shingle swaps alone...