Roof Metal Color Can Make or Break Comfort
When you’re choosing your new shed, garage, or portable building, it’s easy to get caught up in style—matching colors, trim, and siding for the perfect look. But here in Texas, one decision can make a surprising difference in how your building feels inside on a 100°F summer day: your roof color.
A Tale of Two Sheds
Last year, Mike from Reno, TX, ordered two identical Derksen buildings from us. One was set up as his woodworking shop, and the other as storage for lawn equipment.
The only real difference?
- Woodshop: Brilliant White metal roof
- Equipment shed: Hunter Green metal roof
A few weeks later, Mike called—not with a problem, but with an observation. On a sweltering afternoon with the thermometer pushing 98°F, he grabbed his infrared temp gun:
- Brilliant White roof building: Roof surface ~115°F, inside temperature 85°F with no fan running.
- Hunter Green roof building: Roof surface ~165°F, inside temperature 95°F.
That was a 10°F internal temperature difference—and that’s with insulation in both buildings. In an uninsulated shed, the difference could easily be 20–30°F inside, making the lighter roof far more comfortable to work in.
The Science Behind the Heat
In Texas summers, your roof takes the brunt of the sun’s energy. Dark colors, like Black, Burgundy, and Hunter Green, absorb more sunlight, turning it into heat. Lighter colors, like Alamo White, Brilliant White, or Light Stone, reflect much more of that heat away.
Real-world data backs this up:
- Black or very dark roofs can reach 170–190°F surface temps on a 100°F day.
- White or light roofs often stay around 95–120°F—a difference of up to 75°F on the surface.
- That cooler roof can drop interior temperatures by 20–30°F in uninsulated buildings, and 10–15°F in insulated ones.
This means less heat radiating into your building, less strain on your cooling system, and more comfort if you’re working inside.
Derksen Roof Color Options & Heat Impact
Cooler Choices (Best for Hot Climates):
- Alamo White
- Brilliant White
- Light Stone
- Galvalume
Mid-Range Heat Retention:
- Rustic Red
- Tan
- Ash Gray
- Ocean Blue
High Heat Absorption:
- Black
- Charcoal
- Burgundy
- Hunter Green
Finding the Right Balance
If your building is mostly for storage, a darker roof might be fine—and you can prioritize looks. But if you’ll be working inside, storing items sensitive to heat, or running air conditioning, a light-colored roof could save you a lot of sweat (and money).
Bottom line: Roof color isn’t just about style—it’s about performance. In the Texas sun, that choice can mean a 75°F difference on your roof and a 10–30°F difference inside.
Stop by Longhorn Storage Solutions in Powderly, TX—right next to Dairy Queen—to see our Derksen roof color samples in person. We’ll help you find the perfect match for your style, your comfort, and the Texas heat.
