Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material in the United States. They are affordable and easy to install; they’re also easy to repair. However, they’ll need to be replaced every ten or twenty years. They also tend to come in a charcoal gray that absorbs heat. Since your roof is in direct sunlight all day long, your roof can heat up considerably. That can cost you a lot of money in energy costs over the course of a summer. As a result, many people want to paint their asphalt shingles a lighter color.
Can You Paint Shingles?
The simple answer is that you can paint shingles. They will require a little bit of preparation and a little bit of consideration. Any exterior latex or oil-based paint will likely suffice, but it won’t be very durable. The shingles tend to flex as the temperature changes; also, the surface of the shingles is very rough. That will lead to difficulty applying the paint. You should count on applying several coats of paint. Furthermore, the most effective way to paint a rough surface is with a paint sprayer. It can be somewhat cumbersome to get a paint sprayer onto your roof, but that’s the best way to go about it.
If you want the best paint that will last the longest, you should consider elastomeric paint. Elastomeric paint is a paint that stretches and moves. It has more solids than a standard latex paint, which gives it the ability to move around.
What Color?
So, your best option is to spray an elastomeric paint on your shingles. Choosing a color is important as well. If you’re looking to match your home, then it will differ for each person. You can choose to complement the color of your walls or to offset it. A complementary color would be like painting your roof yellow if your home is painted green. An offsetting color would be painting the roof red when the walls are green.
Also, every color will give you light reflecting benefits over gray shingles. If you want the maximum insulating benefit, you should choose to paint the roof white.
What About Moisture?
Your biggest concern when painting your shingles will be moisture. The shingles need to be able to breathe so that moisture can evaporate. A roofing paint will be designed to ventilate somewhat. Most of those are elastomeric paints as well.
In summary, you can paint your asphalt shingles but it will probably be easier just to buy shingles in a different color.