Shades from Above: The Colors of Roof Shingle Granules
Asphalt shingles are designed to protect your home against the elements.
Additionally, they also provide your home’s crowning glory. As a result, the color of the roof you choose plays an essential role in your home design.
In today’s blog post, we consider the shades of roofing and how roof shingle granules contribute to both appearance and function.
What are Roof Shingle Granules?
Roof shingle granules are tiny pieces of stone essential to the protective function of your roofing system.
They create a shield for your shingles, helping to preserve them from the powerful, harmful rays of the sun. Solar ultraviolet radiation is very harsh, leaving your roof vulnerable to damage, especially when your home gets full sun.
The varying shades of granules include lighter-colored pigments with reflective qualities that help keep your roof cooler and prevent UV penetration.
How are Roof Shingle Colors Produced?
Asphalt shingles’ multi-colored granules are available in a broad palette to match the color scheme of any home design.
The granules are produced from durable igneous rock carefully coated with a mixture of clay silicate that provides the granule colors. The coating includes organic and inorganic pigments that are “baked” at high temperatures to fuse the pigments to the stone.
To improve adherence to the shingles, the granules are also coated in ceramic, which fuses during the baking process to help improve durability and adhesion to the shingle. When the granules are finished, they provide not just the coloring for the tiles but also protection for improved durability to extend the life of the shingles.
The granules also undergo rigorous testing to ensure they interlock when applied to the shingles to create a strong seal with maximum coverage.
What Types of Stone are Used for Shingle Granules?
Hard, dark stones such as basalt withstand exposure to the elements while providing “opacity” to solar ultraviolet rays.
This prevents the rays from passing through the granules. The darker shaded stones still work even when colored in lighter pigments to limit light transmission and avoid degradation of the asphalt below.
How to Choose the Best Roof Shingle Color for Your Home
It can be difficult to know what color roof shingle granules will show up best on your home. Use these tips to help find the desired color:
- Roof pitch: Higher-pitched roofs mean the roof is more prominent. In this case, you’ll want to ensure the color complements the rest of your home and helps draw attention to other features, such as gables, turrets, cupolas, and dormers to soften the imposing feeling of the roof.
- Sun exposure: The more sun exposure your home has, the lighter color the roof you might want. Since this isn’t always practical or attractive, darker shingles include lighter granules to help reflect light, helping to keep your home cool. The amount of sun exposure also affects the color, with more light washing out the tones and more shade, making colors appear darker. So, be sure to look at the shingles in the appropriate light to get a better idea of how the color will appear once installed.
- Your home’s color: No doubt the color of your home’s exterior plays a significant role in your roof color choices. Your roof should work with your siding and/or brick to create either a pleasing contrast or a uniform look.
Asphalt shingles, enhanced by the diverse hues of roofing granules, do more than just beautify your home; they also offer vital protection from the sun’s damaging rays. When selecting a shade, it’s crucial to consider various factors, from your home’s architecture to its exposure to sunlight, ensuring a harmonious and functional design. By understanding the intricate process behind shingle granules and their role in roof longevity, homeowners can make informed decisions that elevate both the aesthetics and safety of their residence.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home remodeling and roofing company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
