The color does matter—darker roofs soak up more heat, so you’ll get warmer afternoons but also bigger temp swings, which can actually make condensation worse overnight.
That’s spot on about color and temp swings. I’ve seen folks go with lighter panels just for that reason, especially in wildfire-prone areas. Curious—did you look into fire-rated insulation when you added the foam board? Some of the cheaper stuff isn’t great if embers land on a hot roof.
Had a similar debate last year when we had to redo the roof on one of our duplexes. We went with a lighter metal panel, partly to reflect heat, but also because the fire marshal flagged our old insulation as a risk. Ended up using mineral wool instead of foam board—cost more, but it’s non-combustible and holds up better if embers land during fire season. Noticed the attic stays drier overnight too, which was a nice bonus. Funny how small choices like color and insulation type can make such a big difference in these areas...
Mineral wool’s a solid choice, especially in wildfire-prone areas. I’ve inspected a few homes after close calls with brush fires, and the difference between mineral wool and foam board is pretty stark once you see how embers behave. Foam can melt or even ignite under the right conditions, while mineral wool just sits there—maybe a little singed, but it doesn’t feed the fire.
One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that people sometimes overlook the details around roof penetrations and vents. Even with non-combustible insulation and metal panels, if you’ve got plastic vent covers or gaps around skylights, embers can still find their way in. I had a client last summer who swapped to a standing seam metal roof and mineral wool after a neighbor’s house burned down. They thought they were set, but during an inspection I found their attic vents were still the old plastic type—those things warped in the heat and left gaps big enough for debris or embers to get through. Ended up recommending they switch to metal mesh covers.
The lighter color is smart for heat reflection, but I’ve seen some folks go too light and end up with glare issues—especially on low-slope roofs where sunlight bounces right into second-story windows. Not a safety problem, just something to keep in mind if you’re in a sunny spot.
Cost-wise, mineral wool isn’t cheap up front, but it holds up better over time. I’ve pulled out foam board that was chewed up by rodents or soaked from condensation. Mineral wool seems to resist both problems pretty well. The drier attic you mentioned lines up with what I’ve seen—less trapped moisture means fewer headaches down the line.
It’s funny how these “small” choices add up. Most people focus on the roof covering itself, but it’s usually the combination of materials and details that makes or breaks fire resistance.
I get the mineral wool hype, but I’ll admit I’m still on the fence about it for my own place. We had cellulose blown in years ago—yeah, it’s not non-combustible, but with proper air sealing and fire blocking, it’s held up fine through a couple of close calls. The price difference was huge at the time, too. Not saying mineral wool isn’t better for fire, just that sometimes budget and what you can actually get installed right matters more than the “ideal” material. And those vent covers... totally agree, but I’ve seen metal mesh clog up with pine needles if you don’t keep up with cleaning. Nothing’s ever truly set-and-forget.
You’re spot on about install quality and budget sometimes trumping the “perfect” material. I’ve seen plenty of cellulose jobs hold up just fine, especially when folks actually take the time to seal up the attic and do proper fire blocking. Mineral wool’s great for fire, but it’s not magic—if it’s installed sloppy or you’ve got gaps, it won’t save you. Plus, the price difference can be a dealbreaker for a lot of people.
On vent covers, yeah, metal mesh is a double-edged sword. It’ll stop embers, but if you’re anywhere near trees, you’re basically signing up for regular ladder duty. I’ve pulled handfuls of pine needles out of soffit vents more times than I can count. Sometimes I wonder if folks pushing “maintenance-free” solutions have ever actually lived in a wildfire zone...
At the end of the day, nothing’s totally fireproof. It’s all about stacking the odds in your favor and keeping up with the stuff that needs attention.
