Black roofs are like any other colored roof in a Wisconsin winter — white. Any roof that does not have snow on it most days is likely poorly ventilated.
Our average snowfall here is 1 to 4 inches. If your roof, is well ventilated, it will be snow covered in the winter. If you have poor ventilation, your roofs lifespan will be decreased. Moisture builds up and can result in mold if you have poor ventilation.
Black roofs magnify heat buildup and, like a greenhouse, cook the roof from the underside. This dries out the asphalt prematurely and makes it brittle. Dry and brittle asphalt breaks down even faster, which results in the roof failing.
The darker the color roof, the more likely the roof is to heat up in the winter, leading to higher energy bills as your air conditioner will have to run more.
On the other side, a white roof will reflect more heat and in many cases, qualify you for a federal tax credit.
If balancing between aesthetics and efficiency, consider going with a light grey or tan roof. For flat roofing, you are always better with a light color.
