Why are roof shingles black?

[Texashiker]

Black absorbed heat, making the roof hot.

White reflects heat, which would make the roof cooler then black.

So why are roof shingles black?

I thought about painting the roof of my house white. But I am not sure whether I should use an oil or latex based paint? It seems that oil based would be better?

 

[shiner]

 

[Kntx]

Shingles come in many colours. It seems to me that if you live in Texas black would be a poor choice.

 

[shiner]

Not all shingles are black....you see them in various colors. Until a metal roof was put on it 10 years or so ago my Grandmother's house had white shingles on it.

 

[manimal]

Just put Charlie Sheen on your roof so you reflect awesome!

 

[lxskllr]

They aren't all black. You can get a variety of colors. Traditionally they were probably black to imitate slate, or perhaps because they're petroleum based, and black is the natural color.

I wouldn't paint the roof. I think best case scenario is it'll look adequate at first, and aging to a tenement ghetto patina. Worst case is it'll look stupid at first, then aging to it's ghetto luster.

 

[ElFenix]

HoAs prefer black

 

[apac]

What do you mean, 'you shingles'?

 

[Texashiker]

They aren't all black. You can get a variety of colors.

Over the past few years I have seen more green roofs, but why aren't white shingles more popular?

I wonder how much black shingles cost on an energy bill, as opposed to white shingles?

I heard that most of the cities around the mediterranean have white roofs. Why dont we have white roofs in the USA?

This is not a raciest thread.

If someone can save money buy installing white shingles, or painting their black shingles, why not?

 

[edro]

Black would melt snow quicker and help keep the house warmer in winter.
I bet black is normal for northern states and it seems terra-cotta color is more popular is southern states.

 

[lxskllr]

I've seen light grey roofs, but none that are brilliant white. If I lived in Texas, I'd want a tile roof. Doesn't work on all houses,, but I'd pick a house where it did work.

 

[TheNinja]

Black would melt snow quicker and help keep the house warmer in winter.
I bet black is normal for northern states and it seems terra-cotta color is more popular is southern states.

That makes some sense.

And for everyone saying shingles aren't black....for the most part they are. Ya, you can get white (which looks hideous btw) but the rest of the shingle is still black b/c the "colored" part is just little colored rocks with the black tar-like stuff under it.

I don't really know why they are mostly black other than the oil-type products they are made from are black I guess.

And I've never ever heard of someone painting their actual roof.

 

[classy]

You know I asked myself the same question for the same reasons. A lot of homes have began using lighter color shingles now though. But I was thinking the same thing.

 

[dud]

Most shingles are not black ... they just get that way over time because of mold and mildew. This is an especially big problem in Florida. A small industry has developed to clean roofs of this M&M with chemicals.

 

[spacejamz]

I just replaced some shingles on my roof this past weekend...For the most part, all of the shingle selection at Home Depot was on the darker side (black/slate, dark browns, dark greys, etc)...only light color was a light grayish color...

Replacing those shingles was a PITA...especially on a two story house and the shingles were just below the peak...have to remove a ton of nails from the surrounding shingles and that row that folds over the peak to do this...I dont think that I could cut it as a full time roofer...just the thought of falling off the roof was pretty scary...

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Yep, just like Black Holes.

 

[moshquerade]

Black absorbed heat, making the roof hot.

White reflects heat, which would make the roof cooler then black.

So why are roof shingles black?

I thought about painting the roof of my house white. But I am not sure whether I should use an oil or latex based paint? It seems that oil based would be better?

They aren't always black.

http://roofing.owenscorning.com/homeowner/shingles/comparison.aspx

I think darker colors are used though maybe because they don't show the dust and dirt.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Most around here are brown. But then this is California. Lots of brown here.

 

[spacejamz]

I just replaced some shingles on my roof this past weekend...For the most part, all of the shingle selection at Home Depot was on the darker side (black/slate, dark browns, dark greys, etc)...only light color was a light grayish color...

Replacing those shingles was a PITA...especially on a two story house and the shingles were just below the peak...have to remove a ton of nails from the surrounding shingles and that row that folds over the peak to do this...I dont think that I could cut it as a full time roofer...just the thought of falling off the roof was pretty scary...

The quote I got to replace the shingles was $200...

It took about 2 hours and $15 in parts (shingles were $1.52 each, some roofing nails and sealant)...I have helped on a roof before, so I had an idea of what needed to be done and there were plenty of how to articles on google...

Definitely should last until my roof gets replaced which should be soon....The roof is the original one on a 9 year old house...funny how a '30 year roof' in Dallas will probably last 10-12 years because Hail...LOL

 

[Texashiker]

The east side of my house has 2 good size oaks trees that protects the house from the morning sun. Its not until the sun gets past noon that the house gets any real direct sunlight.

I thought about painting the black shingles on the west side of my house, which is also away from the street view. The only people that could see the roof is from the next street over, and there is a tree line between the road and my house. The road is private property, is not a through road, and the people over there can barely see my house anyway.

 

[Imp]

They look nicer. White will get dirty and instead of laughing at your dirty car, your neighbours will laugh at your dirty white roof! Sucker!

It's actually common to have white roof membranes on flat roofs, specifically because it doesn't absorb as much heat. Even better is when you lay gravel/ballast on top to protect the membrane and absorb or whatever the heat.

Older buildings with black roof membranes actually had huge problems with expansion/contraction ripping shit apart if they weren't properly nailed into place.

 

[PingSpike]

Mine are brownish red. My parents have green ones. I'd say the most common color is gray though...unless you think of that gray as black?

 

[SandEagle]

damn, and i just put up an all black roof. fvck. shoulda went with redwood

 

[Printer Bandit]

 

[SP33Demon]

With insulation I doubt it matters how much heat your roof is absorbing.