Does Painting Your House a Dark Color Make It Warmer?

I love the brightly colored homes in parts of Scandinavia. Their reds, blues, greens and oranges add delightful cheer to the winter scenery. With those in mind, we chose a deep green color for our house, too. But what we didn’t think about at the time was that painting a house a dark color isn’t just for show— it can actually help keep it warmer on the inside.

In our case, our home’s dark exterior color raising the internal temperature was a plus because we also live in a cold climate. But if you’re eyeing a color change for your home, here’s what to know about painting your house a dark color, plus tips for keeping a dark-colored house cool if you live somewhere warm.

Does Painting a House a Dark Color Make It Warmer?

It can, since darker colors absorb more heat from the sun compared to lighter colors. But how much warmer your house will get depends on additional factors, such as the quality of your insulation, ventilation, home design and the materials your home and roof are made from. For example, metal heats up faster than wood, and brick retains heat longer.

“I want to stress that color absolutely plays a role in energy efficiency, but it’s only one piece of that puzzle,” says Jim Marino is CEO at Pinnacle Home Improvements. “The right color for your home is one that balances style, fits into the HOA’s color scheme, works with your climate and has the potential to endure year after year of varying types of weather.”

How Dark Is Too Dark?

It depends on your home design, how much sunlight your home gets, the materials your home is made from, your personal aesthetic and your climate. For example, the amount of radiant heat you want to collect in Florida vs. Alaska will be much different.

If you’re trying to warm up your home, choose colors with a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) under 50, like deep brown, navy or charcoal, as they absorb more heat says George Carrillo, co-founder of the Hispanic Construction Council. If you’re seeking a semi-dark color that still limits heat absorption, aim for shades with an SRI of 50 to 60 such as muted blues, taupes and medium grays.

“For mood, those same semi-dark shades tend to feel more neutral and grounding,” says Carrillo. “However, darker tones like deep grays or blues, while elegant, can sometimes evoke feelings of sadness or heaviness if overused. Black, though sophisticated, may make a space feel confined or overwhelming.”

To keep the mood uplifting, Carrillo recommends pairing darker shades with plenty of natural light or lighter accents to create harmony. “This way, you can enjoy a beautiful, understated look without sacrificing comfort or energy efficiency,” he says.

Another factor to consider is the paint itself. Matte finishes tend to absorb more heat than satin or semi-gloss. “Using paints with heat-reflective technology can also help mitigate the temperature impact while still allowing you to choose richer colors,” says Alex Filipuk, founder of Ideal Siding. “We strongly recommend against painting vinyl siding, especially in darker colors. We’ve experienced cases where siding on the exposed areas just melted after that.”

Does Having a Black Roof Make a House Warmer?

Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images

Yes, a black roof will definitely make your house warmer, especially if you have poor insulation or ventilation.

“It absorbs a lot of solar energy, which transfers into the attic and can push the overall indoor temperature up,” says home improvement expert Myles Robinson. “In general, black roofs aren’t the best idea for hot climates unless you’re doing something specific to manage that heat, like adding radiant barriers or extra insulation.”

However, if you live in a cold climate, a black roof could help keep your energy bills down in the winter. Some of the newer generations of roofing materials, which include reflective coatings, can also help minimize the issue.

Tips for Keeping a Dark House Cool

“The most obvious factors are prioritizing insulation in the walls, the attic and basements, which are all important for reducing heat transfer back into the house,” says Aidan Charron, Associate Director of Global Earth Day.

• Beyond that, options include:
• Installing proper ventilation in the attic and roof areas;
• Choosing heat-reflective paints;
• Adding awnings, shutters and light-colored blinds;
• Keeping your shades closed when the sun is shining on them;
• Upgrading to energy-efficient windows or installing reflective window film;
• Sealing air leaks;
• Using lighter trims and accents;
• Replacing your roof with a lighter color or reflective shingles; and
• Adding solar panels to your roof.

“That is the best way to harness the energy hitting your roof every day,” says Charron. “It will also lower your energy bills and increase the value of your home, too.”

Charron also recommends planting bushes and shrubbery around your home, as leaf cover can hugely diminish heat absorption. “It is why many urban spaces are planting trees and shrubbery coverage,” he says. “Think of it as a living heat shield that creates a microclimate around your home. Plus it is good for the planet!”

FAQ

Should I paint my house a light color if I live in a hot climate?

In general, yes. Light colors like white, beige, light gray and pastels reflect more sunlight, keeping your home up to 20 degrees cooler and cutting cooling costs by 10 to 20%, says Carrillo. “Plus, these colors provide a fresh, bright look that’s perfect for warm climates,” he says. “But remember that light colors show dirt faster, while dark ones can fade more quickly in intense sunlight, so factor maintenance into your decision.”

But, if you’re unable to change your exterior paint because of community regulations, there are other ways to keep your interior cooler, says Marino. “Even if you have a free choice of colors for your home’s exterior, you shouldn’t just focus on the paint to keep it cool,” he says. “Make sure you take your insulation, ventilation and landscape shading into equal consideration.”

Should I paint my house a dark color if I live in a cold climate?

Painting a house a dark color can be beneficial, if that’s an option for your situation, as darker colors do absorb more sunlight.

“Rich tones like charcoal, navy or even forest green can help keep heat in, making your home cozier and slightly reducing heating costs during cold months,” says Carrillo. “However, this effect isn’t as noticeable in regions with long, gray winters where sunlight is scarce, so make sure your insulation is top-notch regardless of your color choice.”

Whether to paint your house a darker color also depends on what it’s made from, as brick, stucco, wood and fiber cement all absorb and radiate heat differently.

”So factor that into your decision,” says Robinson. “Think of color as one part of your home’s whole energy system. Shade, insulation, roofing and windows all play a role, too. Choose a color you love, but make sure the rest of the house is working with it, not against it. And remember that a dark paint job will show dirt, dust, and sun fade more quickly, so expect a bit more upkeep.”

Finally, also consider your mood and style, says Filipuk. “Dark exteriors can beautifully complement snowy landscapes and create a cozy, striking aesthetic,” he says.

About the Experts

• Aidan Charron is Associate Director of Global Earth Day and Earthday.org.
• Myles Robinson is a home improvement and remodeling expert, and founder of UK Composite Doors.
• Jim Marino is CEO at Pinnacle Home Improvements, which serves Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
• Alex Filipuk is founder and CEO of Ideal Siding, North America’s largest siding renovation company.
• George Carrillo is CEO and co-founder of the Hispanic Construction Council (HCC).