As a Florida homeowner, you know exactly how bad our sweltering summers can be. Whether you’re trying to cool down the one room that is always a few degrees hotter than the rest of the house or you just want to lower your monthly energy bills, you’re probably considering a cool roof coating for asphalt shingles. But is this the right call for your roof?
We’re PITCH Roofing, and we’re here to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. As veteran Florida roofers, we know that it’s not our job to decide what’s best for our clients. Instead, we present all the facts and let them call the shots about their property. Stick with us as we dive into asphalt shingle roof coatings!
What Is a Cool Roof Coating for Asphalt Shingles?
If you’ve ever worn a dark shirt in the summer and noticed yourself getting hotter, then you understand the theory behind cool roof coatings for asphalt shingles. Since darker shingles attract more heat and UV rays, these lighter-colored coatings can be applied to your roof to reduce your roof’s UV exposure and, by extension, your energy bills.
And the theory works — lighter-colored asphalt shingles really do absorb less sunlight and take some of the burden off your HVAC system. Manufacturers of cool roof coatings also make other claims, including that a shingle roof coating will give your roof an extra layer of protection.
This second claim is more dubious. On the one hand, it’s true that a cool roof coating can provide an extra layer against the elements. However, we haven’t seen any evidence that this makes your shingles last longer. In fact, the coating can actually trap heat inside with your shingles, baking them and causing them to fail sooner than if you’d left them alone entirely.
With all of this in mind, cool roof coatings seem like a compelling option for lowering your monthly energy bills. But should you apply a cool roof coating to your asphalt shingles?
Should You Try a Cool Roof Coating for Asphalt Shingles?
Not every home will benefit from a cool roof coating for asphalt shingles. In fact, we generally do not recommend these coatings for Florida homes. While we completely understand the desire to lower your energy bills in the summer, there are better ways to go about it than applying a coating to your shingles.
As we mentioned, these coatings can do more harm to your roof than good. While your shingles absorb heat from the sun, they also release heat once the sun has set. But a roof coating can increase how long it takes your roof to let off this heat, effectively cooking your shingles. This offsets any protection added to your shingles, which already resist water and impact damage.
In most cases, applying a cool roof coating will void any warranties for your asphalt shingles, be they for the materials or workmanship. This can leave you without critical protection when you need it most. In the worst case scenario, you could even run into problems with your homeowners insurances. There is no way to un-coat a roof, so this would require you to get an entirely new roof to resolve.
In our experience, it’s just not worth the hassle. Homeowners like the idea of cool roof coatings because they seem like a good way to lower energy bills without a major up-front investment like a roof replacement. But the truth is that shingle roof coatings often create more problems than they solve. These coatings may be inexpensive, but in roofing, you tend to get what you pay for.
Thankfully, there are other ways to cool your roof in the summer months. Let’s take a look at what our experienced Florida contractors recommend to keep your roof cool and energy efficient!
Cool Roof Alternatives
One of the biggest appeals of cool roof coatings for asphalt shingles is that they can be applied at any time, on a new or old roof. Most other cool roofing strategies do not work this way. More often, the only way to get a cooler roof is to get one installed during the roof replacement process.
One option is to pick a lighter-colored shingle, or one specifically designed to reflect UV rays. While all asphalt shingles have UV-reflective stone granules, color really does play a substantial role in heat absorption. Alternatively, upgrading to a metal roof could be the right call. Not only are these roofs naturally UV-reflective, but they also offer enhanced longevity and protection from tropical storms and hurricanes.
If you have a new shingle roof and don’t want to get an early roof replacement, your cooling options are quite limited. A cool roof coating may be the only option you can try. However, we would caution against this. While it can be tempting to try a shingle coating and see how it works, this could do serious damage to your roof that ends up forcing a roof replacement anyway. In our experience, it’s better to wait until you’re ready for a replacement and choose a cool roofing material then.
Get a Free Quote for a Cool Roof
Cool roof coatings for asphalt shingles sound like a dream come true. But they’re just that: a dream. If you want a real cool roofing solution, you’re going to need a cool roofing material installed on your home. Whether you’re thinking of a shingle, metal, or tile roof replacement, PITCH has the know-how to get the job done right.
Every roof replacement starts with a free, no-obligation roofing quote. To get yours, call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form. We’ll send out a roofing professional to inspect your roof and go over your cool roofing options with you. They’ll then prepare an itemized quote that walks you through every part of the job, leaving no room for hidden fees or nasty surprises!
Every homeowner wants lower energy bills in the summer months. While cool roof coatings can seem like the right option, they often do more harm than good. When you want a cool roof, reach out to local professionals who know how to help. With Roofing Done Right at the core of everything we do, we know you’ll be blown away by both our customer service and our workmanship!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
