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Asphalt shingles have become the staple of the American housing industry, appearing on houses from first homes to dream homes. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive when compared to other roofing options, both in the cost of the materials and in savings from the structural supports needed for weightier roofing options. Asphalt shingles are also easy to install, meaning that professional installations can be found far cheaper than the hassle of wrangling up the tools, equipment, and people to complete the roof replacement yourself.
Asphalt Color Options
Due to their widespread popularity, asphalt shingles have begun appearing in more, different colors. This means that no longer are asphalt shingles relegated to a simple black aesthetic, but rather they now appear in a variety of colors; however, choosing the color of your shingles can be a complicated process.
Choosing Shingle Color
The exterior of your home creates the first impression for visitors and passers-by alike, and the vast color options available to homeowners allow for the creation of a roof that blends in or stands out as per their desire. The shingle color choice is further simplified in some situations through associations, which may limit the options available to residents.
The variety of colors that asphalt shingles come in provides homeowners with many design options to choose from. Color shades range in feel between warm and cool shades. Even typically warm colors can be given cool tones if the right color shade is used (Choosing Roof Color - Design Palette). These design options allow homeowners to accent and compliment the homes’ siding, trim, landscaping, or distinct features, creating a home aesthetic uniquely their own.
Color, More Than Just Looks
However, the choice between which color shingle to choose from is not always an entirely aesthetic discussion. The color of shingles can drastically change the amount of sunlight absorbed by the roof. This absorption, or lack thereof, of sunlight, can dramatically change the temperature of the roof. Due to the increase in insulation standards within the home, roof temperature has a minimal effect on the indoor atmosphere of the home.
Older homes and homes with radiant heating are most likely to be affected by this, so knowing your home’s insulation quality and heating method are necessary to determine the effect color choice may have on your home’s heating.
While it is true that the color of shingles can affect both heating and cooling, Minnesotans should concern themselves the most with heating benefits due to our frigid winters. Warming our homes to 60 degrees in winter requires far more energy than cooling our homes to 60 degrees in summer, so frugal homeowners should consider all possible heat-related benefits. (Why Heating Costs More Than Cooling)
Alternative Roofing Options
Alternative roofing options for homeowners are green roofs, which can impact a home's energy use while simultaneously removing pollutants from the air and creating oxygen. However, green roofs feature hefty initial costs due in part to the additional support required for their weight. They also have the benefit of being quite distinct, allowing for homeowners to visibly showcase their unique appreciation for nature.
Options such as slate roofing also feature the increased price points of green roofs but without any of the green roof’s environmental benefits. Additionally, the distinguished look of slate shingles is nearly unsurpassable.
Traditional Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles have become the staple of the American home nearly since their invention in 1903 (Roofing 101). The shingles themselves are inexpensive, durable, and easy to install. The variety of color options of asphalt shingles means that different colors can be combined to create a pattern or design on the roof, often incorporating colors to accent both the siding and trim. Asphalt shingles provide homeowners the flexibility to blend into, or stand out from, their communities, but remember to check your association for shingle color restrictions.
Professional Benefits
The options available to homeowners during a home remodel seem endless, oftentimes leaving homeowners to ponder whether they value aesthetics or their carbon footprint more. While there is an abundance of design choices available to homeowners, their choices are often constricted more by their budget than their environmental consciousness.
The primary benefit of using a roofing contractor is that it allows for peace of mind by knowing that your new roof is installed professionally, with high-quality products like GAF shingles (GAF Roofing). They can also correlate colors between your home’s other elements. Working with a roofing company ensures that homeowners get the exact look they desire for their home while taking into account their energy efficiency needs as well.