What Is a Reflective Asphalt Shingle Roof?

Function

• Reflective asphalt shingles reflect more of the sun's rays than standard asphalt shingles. Energy Star reports that reflective shingles can lower the surface temperature of your roof by as much as 100 F. As a result, the amount of heat transferred into your house would likely drop, reducing the amount of energy needed to cool your home. There are different methods for creating reflective shingles. For example, some manufacturers embed marble chips in asphalt instead of dark gravel so that the shingles reflect solar light.

Solar Heat Gain

• Reflective asphalt minimizes solar heat gain, meaning it reflects the sun's rays and quickly re-emits any heat that's absorbed. CertainTeed, which manufactures the Solaris shingles, asserts that the granulated coating on its reflective shingles can reduce a roof's temperature by as much as 20 percent during summer months.

Energy Efficiency

• Some homeowners may be able to have smaller, more efficient air conditioning systems installed if they have reflective asphalt shingles on their roofs. Additionally, shingles carrying the Energy Star label also help reduce the "heat island effect" in which dark roofs and dark pavement increase hot air and smog in urban areas. Your utility company may even offer rebates to homeowners who install reflective asphalt shingles that are qualified by the Energy Star program.

Roof Durability

• You may extend the life of your roof by installing reflective asphalt shingles instead of standard asphalt roofing. Reflective roofing products approved by the Energy Star program reduce thermal shock, which refers to the expansion and contraction of roofing materials as temperatures change. Reflective asphalt helps a roof maintain a more constant temperature to reduce periodic expansion and contraction, which often causes cracks and other damage.