Totally get what you mean about humidity—Florida just laughs at our best efforts sometimes. I’ve managed a few properties with lighter shingles and honestly, unless you’ve got solid insulation and the attic’s breathing right, it’s more of a drop in the bucket than a game-changer. Still, every little bit helps when those AC bills roll in. I’ve also learned the hard way that documenting *everything* is non-negotiable, especially when insurance gets involved. Miss one photo and suddenly it’s like the damage never happened...
Light shingles are a mixed bag here, for sure. If the attic’s not vented right, you’re just moving the problem around. I’ve seen folks spend extra on “cool roof” shingles and still get hit with mold or high temps inside. Documentation—couldn’t agree more. I’ve had adjusters question even the smallest patch job because I missed a shot of the underlayment. Out of curiosity, did Empire handle your insurance process at all, or did you have to chase paperwork yourself? Sometimes a contractor who knows how to work with adjusters is worth their weight in gold...
I get what you’re saying about attic ventilation, but I’d argue the shingle color still plays a bigger role than most folks think—especially in Florida’s sun. Lighter shingles can help, but only if the whole system’s right: insulation, venting, and even the roof deck material. I’ve seen “cool roof” installs work well, but only when the contractor actually understands building science, not just the sales pitch. As for Empire, I’ve heard mixed things about their paperwork game—some friends had to chase them for docs, others said it was smooth. Maybe it comes down to who you get on the crew that week.
Not sure I totally agree about shingle color being the main thing, at least in my case. We went with a medium gray, figuring it’d be a good compromise, but honestly, once we beefed up the attic insulation, the difference in inside temps was way more noticeable than when we just had lighter shingles. Maybe it’s the combo that matters most? Also, did anyone have luck getting Empire to explain their warranty stuff clearly? Ours felt a bit rushed and I had to call them back for clarification... just curious if that’s common.
I’m with you—shingle color isn’t the whole story, especially in Florida. I’ve seen way more impact from adding insulation and making sure there’s proper attic ventilation than just swapping out for lighter shingles. The combo definitely matters, but insulation seems to give the biggest bang for your buck. As for Empire, I had a similar experience with their warranty explanation—felt like they glossed over the details until I pressed for specifics. Maybe it’s just how they do things, but it left me double-checking everything in writing.
