What Color Metal Roof is Most Energy Efficient?

When it comes to choosing modern metal roofing, you have a wide range of options available for your home or business. When picking your roof color, you’ll want to consider more than just the looks or curb appeal. While the color of your metal roof may seem like just an aesthetic choice, did you know it can have a significant effect on your home’s energy efficiency? So, it brings us to the question: what is the best color of metal roof for energy savings?

Colors and a Roof’s Energy Efficiency

Metal has become an increasingly popular roofing material choice for homes in Florida as it provides the best storm protection when installed correctly. Metal roofs are made up of a variety of different metals, such as steel, copper, aluminum, and others. Compared to other roofing materials, metal roofs are far superior in terms of durability, longevity, lightweight, reflectivity, and fire resistance.

One of the best things about choosing metal roofs for your home is that they are available in various shades of colors, such as brown, black, gray, green, red, blue, and white. It means you can match them to the architecture of your home and your personal preference. You can also choose the kind of finishes you would like, such as metallic, matte, or gloss. The texture of the metal roof may also vary, with options ranging from very smooth to textured.

How Does Metal Roof Color Impact Your Home’s Energy Efficiency?

There have been several studies and research papers on the energy efficiency of metal roof colors and on what is the best color that increases energy savings. According to these studies, it is evident that darker metal roofs absorb more heat than lighter, cooler colors. While the color of the roof is not the only determining factor in a roof’s energy efficiency, it does play a very important role along with other types of energy-efficient roofing materials.

In total there are 4 core factors that affect the energy efficiency of metal roofs:

1. Roofing Materials: In South Florida, the most popular roofing materials are asphalt shingle, concrete tile, and metal. Without a doubt metal roofs are the coolest roof option – heat absorption is much less when compared to standard asphalt shingles. Concrete tiles also reflect heat more efficiently than an asphalt roof.
2. Solar Reflectance: The ability of metal roofing to reflect solar radiation goes a long way in reducing the amount of heat retention in your home’s roofing material. A roof’s ability to reflect solar radiation is quantified by the solar reflectance index (SRI). Paint color comes into play here. Lighter roofs reflect more sunlight. This reduces the surface temperature of the roof and means less heat transfer into the home or building. Light-colored roofs result in lower cooling costs. Darker roofs absorb more solar heat, increasing heat transfer to the home.Roof coatings applied in conjunction with paint on your metal roofing also greatly enhance a roof’s energy efficiency since this also increases the roof’s ability to reflect sunlight. Select a roof coating that has a high SRI.
3. Roof Insulation: To ensure you have an energy-efficient roof, proper insulation matters. Spray foam and rigid foam insulation provide the best energy efficiency. Fiberglass batt insulation is the cheapest option but provides less insulation.
4. Proper Ventilation: Energy-efficient roofs require proper ventilation for several reasons. Regardless of roofing material or roof color, in Florida, heat from the sun and moisture from humidity will get trapped in the attic and need to be released, otherwise, the home is absorbing heat, and moisture can turn into mold. To reduce energy consumption, a roof must be able to release absorbed heat. Setting your roofing system with proper ventilation is critical to prevent these problems.

Heat Absorption Increases Energy Consumption

In general, the more solar heat any type of roof absorbs, the more you will spend on cooling your home. The sunlight that darker metal roofs absorb raises the temperature of the structure below them and continues as long as sunlight is present. It will cause your air conditioner to work much harder to keep the interior of your home cool. In hot and sunny Florida, darker roofs are absorbing more heat putting more pressure on your air conditioning and increasing the cooling load on your cooling system. Your energy bill increases and the extra workload for your ac shortens its lifespan.

Choose Lighter Colored Metal Roofs for Energy Efficient Roofing

Lighter-colored metal roofs will reflect the heat from the sun and emit it back into the atmosphere. A light-colored roof safeguards your home from intense heat and allows for a more comfortable indoor environment. It also helps lessen the load on your air conditioner and helps you save money on energy bills by about 20-40%.

Darker Colored Metal Roofs Are Still Energy Efficient

While darker-colored metal roofs do absorb more solar radiation, roof coatings have come a long way in improving the overall energy efficiency of metal roofing.

Picking the best metal roof color will depend on the climate you live in. If you live in a climate that is warm most part of the year, it is best to opt for lighter colors like white or earthy shades. But, if you live in a climate that is cold for the better part of the year, it is best to pick a dark-colored roof like maroon, dark brown, or black.

What’s the Value Proposition of a Metal Roof?

Metal roofs offer a compelling value proposition for Miami homeowners versus asphalt shingle or cement tile. If you examine the upfront costs against the long-term benefits, you’ll see that a metal roof is worth the investment. Depending on your circumstances, a metal roof can:

• Increase the value of your home. Prospective buyers appreciate the durability and low maintenance requirement of a metal roof.
• Reduce home-cooling expenditure during the hot Miami summers. A metal roof can reflect most of the sun’s heat from your home, reducing the need for cooling.
• Eliminate the need for frequent replacements. All metal roofs last longer and require nearly no maintenance. You can, therefore, save on repair and maintenance money in the long term.

The Environmental Impact of Metal Roofs

Metal roofing is an unlikely way to reduce waste and save energy. As stated earlier, metal roofs have several environmental benefits, making them an eco-friendly choice. For instance:

• 90% of metal roofs are often made from recycled materials
• Metal roofs are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan
• Metal roofs are energy-efficient, reflecting solar heat, reducing the demand for air conditioning

As the public moves toward a more sustainable lifestyle, installing a metal roof can help you promote the initiative.

What is the Most Efficient Color in Florida for Energy Savings?

If energy efficiency is a top consideration in your decision to install a metal roof, then select a color that is on the lighter side. ASP SuperHome utilizes Englert for standing seam panels because they have their own in-house paint facility and use Kynar 500 coating – one of the best available.

Here are the best color options for energy-efficient Florida metal roofing:

• The #1 Most Energy-Efficient Metal Roof Color: White
• Most Energy Efficient Metal Roof Colors (non-white): Light Grays, Light Browns, Light Greens
• Least Energy Efficient Metal Roof Colors – Dark Gray, Dark Brown, Reds, Darker Blues and Greens
• Least Energy Efficient Color: Black

Does Metal Roofing Qualify For Energy Star Ratings

In the past metal roofing materials that met the Energy Star program requirements were designated as Energy Star Rated. However, in mid-2019, the government program announced that they were sunsetting the program. This is not necessarily bad and the reason this has happened is that commercial building codes caught up to and surpassed the requirements set out by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and EPA. So this really is a good thing.

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) Developed Its Own Program

You’ve probably heard the term cool roofs. It’s used interchangeably when discussing energy-efficient roofing. With the end of Energy Star Ratings for metal roofing material, many manufacturers have turned to the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) which was established in 1998. They continue to provide a means to evaluate and promote scientific data to continuously improve metal roofs energy-efficient properties and to deal with urban heat mitigation better. They work with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to develop standard testing methods for the radiative properties of roofing material.

ASP SuperHome – Ensuring Florida Metal Roofs Are Energy-Efficient

As energy costs continue to rise, people are investing in improvements such as metal roofing for an energy-efficient home. Having an energy-efficient roof puts money back in your pocket. ASP SuperHome recognizes that the initial cost to install a metal roof is higher than shingle and tile roofs, but the overall long-term savings and superior protection for your home and your family are well worth it.

Our Energy Efficient Brands

Today’s homeowners are more savvy than ever! As a leading home improvement expert in Miami and Broward, we recognize that and know that improving a home’s energy efficiency and sustainability improves the bottom line. That’s why we partner with manufacturers that make products in line with this goal.

Englert – Standing Seam Panels

We install Englert standing seam products because we know they are extremely energy efficient as they are considered cool roofs. When it comes to storm and high wind protection, they are second to none. To install Englert products, a contractor must be certified by Englert to ensure proper installation. Proper installation means that you don’t compromise the reflective properties of the roof coatings and paint. It also means you don’t compromise the ability to withstand Cat 5 winds.

Worthouse – Metal Tile Roofing

Miami and South Florida are known for their Spanish tile roofing. It’s an iconic staple of the area. This style roof is now available in a metal tile and we have partnered with Worthouse – a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient stylish metal roofing. Worthouse tiles are wind resistant up to 200 mph, Miami-Dade approved, eco-friendly and are designed to reflect heat. The design of their roof systems allows excellent airflow under the tile panels which reduces heat transfer and lowers the cost to cool your home.

You Have Good Options When It Comes To Roofing

In addition to a lower energy bill, metal roofing has a wide array of benefits that include longer life spans, superior weather protection, fire resistance, low maintenance costs, discounts on home insurance, and more. Contact ASP SuperHome today, to get a free quote and learn about financing options for an energy-efficient roof that will last you a lifetime.

Lighter Colored Roofs

If you still choose asphalt shingles over metal, going with a light-colored roof will help with keeping your roof surface cooler than a darker roof would. The color roof you choose is important, especially in the Florida climate. Plus manufacturers are making strides in making both cement tile and asphalt more reflective and energy efficient. We can help guide you to the right products.