Deciding Between Light and Dark Shingles for Your Harrisonburg Roof: Which One’s Right for You?

Should You Choose Light Or Dark Shingles For Your New Roof In Harrisonburg?

If you’re a Harrisonburg homeowner who needs a new roof, you may be wondering whether you should choose light or dark asphalt shingles. There’s no right choice as it mostly comes down to your personal style preference, but there are some pros and cons to either choice. We’ve collected them here so you can make an informed decision.

Consider The Climate Around Your New Roof

The main difference between the shingle colors depends on the climate of the area in which the home is located. For areas that are warm and sunny year-round, light shingles are a great choice because they reflect UV rays and heat. This could keep your house a bit cooler and save on those AC bills. For those who live in colder climates, dark shingles may be better as they absorb and hold heat, and can even help melt ice that’s collected on the roof.

You might have heard that dark shingles can cause the natural moisture inside your house to condense underneath the roof. In reality, this so-called sweating effect has more to do with poor ventilation than shingle choice. As long as you choose a trustworthy local roof installer, you won’t have to worry about this effect.

Do You Want Your New Roof Shingles To Blend In Or Stand Out?

It’s also important to consider the other homes in your neighborhood. Do they have traditional dark shingles or do they use a lighter color? If you want to fit in with the rest of the neighborhood, it’s wise to go the same route. If you want to stand out, choosing an asphalt roof in the opposite shingle color is a great way to do it without being too garish.

When choosing a color for your roof, consider both the trim and the siding of your home; you should aim for some contrast, but not too much. For example, many homeowners will choose a roof color that’s similar in brightness to their siding, and then pair that with bright white trim for contrast. If you like a more cohesive feel, choose roofing and trim that are variations on the hue of the siding (for example, rich brown shingles and tan trim against creme siding).

You May Not Have To Worry About Algae On Your Roof

One of the common reasons for avoiding light shingles in the past was that they were prone to growing algae. This algae usually presents as unsightly dark streaks that you may see on the roofs of older homes. These days we have the technology to help prevent those blemishes so you can choose a lighter color without worry. A darker roof does tend to hide the dirt and debris as the roof ages. Just ask your local roof company if they can order light shingles with algae-resistant granules embedded.