While neutral tones such as asphalt shingles, wood, and metal roofs are timeless and have their own appeal, they can get boring for a while and may not suit the aesthetic of the rest of your house.
Painted shingles is a good idea if you want to enhance your property’s aesthetic. Painting asphalt shingles can transform the look of your home. As you may already know, painting is a practical solution to improve the building’s appearance, including the roof, without disturbing its structure.
Read also: Things to Know about Painting a Metal Roof.
From personal experience, a freshly painted roof revitalizes the home’s exterior and improves energy efficiency by reflecting more sunlight. After painting my own asphalt shingles white, I noticed a minor decrease in cooling costs during summer months.
However, this benefit was marginal and primarily cosmetic, offering a temporary visual uplift rather than significantly reducing energy consumption.
| Aspect | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic Improvement | Instantly updates home appearance. | Requires regular touch-ups, especially in harsh climates. |
| Extended Roof Lifespan | Adds a protective layer that can delay the need for replacement. | Painting can void the manufacturer’s warranty, leading to costly repairs if issues arise. |
| Energy Efficiency | Light-colored paint can reduce summer cooling costs. | The energy savings are minimal and may not offset the cost of painting. |
| Cost | Lower upfront costs compared to full roof replacement. | Long-term maintenance and potential issues can lead to higher overall costs. |
Painting Roof Shingles Black
When deciding to paint your shingles, consider the type of paint. Dark colors, such as black, from acrylic latex or other water-based paints, can absorb heat and increase temperature. However, this could also depend a lot on the material type.
In general, Painting a roof black can match a wide range of building colors or tones, such as white, light gray, beige, red, green, brown, or weathered wood.
Painting Roof Shingles White
As the opposite of dark shades, a roof with light-colored paint or materials suits places with warmer climates. This is why the white roof is a popular choice in South America, North Africa, and Mediterranean countries.
Painting your roof shingles in white is a great option, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. While it can brighten the color of your roof, it may also reflect more light.
Read also: Can You Walk on a Metal Roof
For homeowners with extensive DIY experience, painting roof shingles might appear straightforward. However, it requires meticulous attention to detail and specialized knowledge.
For instance, using the wrong type of paint, such as interior latex, instead of 100% acrylic latex designed for roofs, can lead to premature shingle failure due to poor adhesion and moisture buildup. As one expert notes, ‘If you don’t use the appropriate paint, you will damage the roof more than you help it’
Cost to Paint Roof Shingles
The costs can vary, especially considering the number of coats of paint required for an effective paint job. Always use the recommended safety equipment when painting. It typically requires the painters to inspect your property before discussing it. You can try to estimate it first yourself by using the guides below roughly.
Labor Cost
The labor cost for painting your roof shingles is rated hourly. It depends on the painters’ skill and time, but on average, it ranges from $35/hour to $55/hour.
- Hourly rate for low-end roof painting
You can find roof painters who charge a lower rate, but they are generally beginners in the industry, between $25/hour and $35/hour.
- Hourly rate for medium-end roof painting
Roof painters that already established clientele and have about one to five years typically can provide better artistry and a shorter project period. They usually charge between $35/hour and $45/hour.
- Hourly rate for high-end roof painting
To get a premium roof painting service, you may opt for high-end painters. They are usually highly experienced, have a strong clientele base, and adhere to the highest artistry standards. They can charge between $45/hour and $75/hour.
Product Cost
The next factor that adds up to the total roof painting cost is the paint products’ cost. Different brands, of course, have different quality, outcomes, and price ranges. Here are the estimations of several common paint products for the roof:
- Exterior paint for roof: $220 / 10L
- Exterior acrylic paint for the roof: $170 / 10L
- Exterior emulsion coat: $180 / 20L
- Paint coat with Nanotechnology: $210 / 10L
- The paint coat with heat reflective technology: $350 / 20L
- Filler for surface: $150 / 20L
Size of the roof
Last but not least, a factor that determines painting cost is the size of your roof. Usually, roof painters will charge by a square meter unit. Here are the rough estimations of painting cost based on the roof size:
- Small-sized roof: $2,000 to $3,500
- Medium-sized roof: $3,000 to $5,000
- Large-sized roof: $5,000 to $15,000
Often perceived as just decorative elements, roof shingles play a crucial role in determining the lifespan and value of your home. When properly maintained, asphalt shingle roofs can significantly enhance your property’s longevity.
However, their quality can determine your house’s lifespan and increase the property value.
Painting roof shingles is one of the many home improvement methods for upgrading your living space’s quality so it can last for many years before deteriorating.
