Does dark exterior paint hold and transfer more heat to an uninsulated house?












4















We are picking exterior paint colors for our stucco house. The interior walls are plaster and there isn’t insulation in the walls.



I want to stay away from dark colors because I think it will make our house hotter(we live in Southern California where it is sunny most of the year).



Is my concern valid?



If I insulate my walls, will I be able to choose dark colors?










share|improve this question























  • As someone who works in the construction industry in SoCal, I'd like to say yes, but there's a ton of variables here. Age of house, location, wall material, stucco type, facing directions, tree coverages, etc. If you're in an isolated desert in Blythe, it's different than if you live in Mount Baldy.

    – Anoplexian
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    Just remember that the sun only emit's about 50% of it's power in infrared, and only 40% in visible, so make sure your paint is also reflective in the non-visible bands ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/…

    – Sam
    6 hours ago











  • What color/material is your roof? You're not worried about the walls when you have a dark colored roof right?

    – JPhi1618
    6 hours ago








  • 1





    @Sam please post an answer based on that. A blue paint that reflects infrared light is better than a white paint that doesn't. None of the current answers reflect that.

    – Kat
    6 hours ago











  • Dark colors don't "hold" more heat. They transmit (absorb and emit) heat faster than lighter colors do. That means a dark-colored house will heat up faster in the day and cool off faster at night.

    – Monty Harder
    6 hours ago
















4















We are picking exterior paint colors for our stucco house. The interior walls are plaster and there isn’t insulation in the walls.



I want to stay away from dark colors because I think it will make our house hotter(we live in Southern California where it is sunny most of the year).



Is my concern valid?



If I insulate my walls, will I be able to choose dark colors?










share|improve this question























  • As someone who works in the construction industry in SoCal, I'd like to say yes, but there's a ton of variables here. Age of house, location, wall material, stucco type, facing directions, tree coverages, etc. If you're in an isolated desert in Blythe, it's different than if you live in Mount Baldy.

    – Anoplexian
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    Just remember that the sun only emit's about 50% of it's power in infrared, and only 40% in visible, so make sure your paint is also reflective in the non-visible bands ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/…

    – Sam
    6 hours ago











  • What color/material is your roof? You're not worried about the walls when you have a dark colored roof right?

    – JPhi1618
    6 hours ago








  • 1





    @Sam please post an answer based on that. A blue paint that reflects infrared light is better than a white paint that doesn't. None of the current answers reflect that.

    – Kat
    6 hours ago











  • Dark colors don't "hold" more heat. They transmit (absorb and emit) heat faster than lighter colors do. That means a dark-colored house will heat up faster in the day and cool off faster at night.

    – Monty Harder
    6 hours ago














4












4








4








We are picking exterior paint colors for our stucco house. The interior walls are plaster and there isn’t insulation in the walls.



I want to stay away from dark colors because I think it will make our house hotter(we live in Southern California where it is sunny most of the year).



Is my concern valid?



If I insulate my walls, will I be able to choose dark colors?










share|improve this question














We are picking exterior paint colors for our stucco house. The interior walls are plaster and there isn’t insulation in the walls.



I want to stay away from dark colors because I think it will make our house hotter(we live in Southern California where it is sunny most of the year).



Is my concern valid?



If I insulate my walls, will I be able to choose dark colors?







insulation painting exterior






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 10 hours ago









milesmeowmilesmeow

2,209114473




2,209114473













  • As someone who works in the construction industry in SoCal, I'd like to say yes, but there's a ton of variables here. Age of house, location, wall material, stucco type, facing directions, tree coverages, etc. If you're in an isolated desert in Blythe, it's different than if you live in Mount Baldy.

    – Anoplexian
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    Just remember that the sun only emit's about 50% of it's power in infrared, and only 40% in visible, so make sure your paint is also reflective in the non-visible bands ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/…

    – Sam
    6 hours ago











  • What color/material is your roof? You're not worried about the walls when you have a dark colored roof right?

    – JPhi1618
    6 hours ago








  • 1





    @Sam please post an answer based on that. A blue paint that reflects infrared light is better than a white paint that doesn't. None of the current answers reflect that.

    – Kat
    6 hours ago











  • Dark colors don't "hold" more heat. They transmit (absorb and emit) heat faster than lighter colors do. That means a dark-colored house will heat up faster in the day and cool off faster at night.

    – Monty Harder
    6 hours ago



















  • As someone who works in the construction industry in SoCal, I'd like to say yes, but there's a ton of variables here. Age of house, location, wall material, stucco type, facing directions, tree coverages, etc. If you're in an isolated desert in Blythe, it's different than if you live in Mount Baldy.

    – Anoplexian
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    Just remember that the sun only emit's about 50% of it's power in infrared, and only 40% in visible, so make sure your paint is also reflective in the non-visible bands ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/…

    – Sam
    6 hours ago











  • What color/material is your roof? You're not worried about the walls when you have a dark colored roof right?

    – JPhi1618
    6 hours ago








  • 1





    @Sam please post an answer based on that. A blue paint that reflects infrared light is better than a white paint that doesn't. None of the current answers reflect that.

    – Kat
    6 hours ago











  • Dark colors don't "hold" more heat. They transmit (absorb and emit) heat faster than lighter colors do. That means a dark-colored house will heat up faster in the day and cool off faster at night.

    – Monty Harder
    6 hours ago

















As someone who works in the construction industry in SoCal, I'd like to say yes, but there's a ton of variables here. Age of house, location, wall material, stucco type, facing directions, tree coverages, etc. If you're in an isolated desert in Blythe, it's different than if you live in Mount Baldy.

– Anoplexian
7 hours ago





As someone who works in the construction industry in SoCal, I'd like to say yes, but there's a ton of variables here. Age of house, location, wall material, stucco type, facing directions, tree coverages, etc. If you're in an isolated desert in Blythe, it's different than if you live in Mount Baldy.

– Anoplexian
7 hours ago




1




1





Just remember that the sun only emit's about 50% of it's power in infrared, and only 40% in visible, so make sure your paint is also reflective in the non-visible bands ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/…

– Sam
6 hours ago





Just remember that the sun only emit's about 50% of it's power in infrared, and only 40% in visible, so make sure your paint is also reflective in the non-visible bands ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/…

– Sam
6 hours ago













What color/material is your roof? You're not worried about the walls when you have a dark colored roof right?

– JPhi1618
6 hours ago







What color/material is your roof? You're not worried about the walls when you have a dark colored roof right?

– JPhi1618
6 hours ago






1




1





@Sam please post an answer based on that. A blue paint that reflects infrared light is better than a white paint that doesn't. None of the current answers reflect that.

– Kat
6 hours ago





@Sam please post an answer based on that. A blue paint that reflects infrared light is better than a white paint that doesn't. None of the current answers reflect that.

– Kat
6 hours ago













Dark colors don't "hold" more heat. They transmit (absorb and emit) heat faster than lighter colors do. That means a dark-colored house will heat up faster in the day and cool off faster at night.

– Monty Harder
6 hours ago





Dark colors don't "hold" more heat. They transmit (absorb and emit) heat faster than lighter colors do. That means a dark-colored house will heat up faster in the day and cool off faster at night.

– Monty Harder
6 hours ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















6














A darker color absorbs more heat so yes it will heat the home more during the day. Your concern is valid. White is the least absorbent color and black is the most absorbent color.






share|improve this answer
























  • Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

    – JPhi1618
    6 hours ago



















3














If you insulate your walls, you will thus be warmer during the summer and winter, and a black exterior would absorb sunlight and warm your house lightly. A white paint would reflect light and keep the outside of your house cooler.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

    – isherwood
    8 hours ago











  • I’ll definitely check it out.

    – milesmeow
    2 hours ago



















0














Yes. Every paint has a reflectivity - the cosmological term for the same thing is albedo. This is a hard number, and the paint manufacturer can tell you what it is. It will be a percentage; for instance my favorite gloss white has a 91% reflectivity or albedo.



All the rest is absorbed. There is no magic where some of the absorbed energy is radiated, that would be part of the albedo!



Solarization is about 1000 watts per square meter square-on with the sun. Figure for the total exposure area, factored for the angle to the sun (which changes). Figure the hours of exposure. Multiply that by your paint's reflectivity and that will be your house's solar gain.






share|improve this answer































    0














    If you really want a dark color you can add ceramic beads to the paint which will reflect infrared heat away. e.g.: insuladd I want to do this next time I paint (SoCal also) even if I use a light color paint.



    Here's an article on BobVila.com with more information.






    share|improve this answer































      -1














      It does not matter much. Yes, a dark color absorbs more heat, but it also radiates more away. It would become hotter faster during day but cool down much faster at night. A white surface absorbs less but radiates less. I would go for a white color because in direct sunlight the surface temperature of a black surface can become scalding hot, which is not fun if you accidentally lean on it or have kids around.






      share|improve this answer
























      • This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

        – Sam
        2 hours ago











      Your Answer








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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes








      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      6














      A darker color absorbs more heat so yes it will heat the home more during the day. Your concern is valid. White is the least absorbent color and black is the most absorbent color.






      share|improve this answer
























      • Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

        – JPhi1618
        6 hours ago
















      6














      A darker color absorbs more heat so yes it will heat the home more during the day. Your concern is valid. White is the least absorbent color and black is the most absorbent color.






      share|improve this answer
























      • Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

        – JPhi1618
        6 hours ago














      6












      6








      6







      A darker color absorbs more heat so yes it will heat the home more during the day. Your concern is valid. White is the least absorbent color and black is the most absorbent color.






      share|improve this answer













      A darker color absorbs more heat so yes it will heat the home more during the day. Your concern is valid. White is the least absorbent color and black is the most absorbent color.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered 9 hours ago









      Ed BealEd Beal

      32.7k12145




      32.7k12145













      • Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

        – JPhi1618
        6 hours ago



















      • Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

        – JPhi1618
        6 hours ago

















      Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

      – JPhi1618
      6 hours ago





      Many dark colors also fade more quickly in the sun as well.

      – JPhi1618
      6 hours ago













      3














      If you insulate your walls, you will thus be warmer during the summer and winter, and a black exterior would absorb sunlight and warm your house lightly. A white paint would reflect light and keep the outside of your house cooler.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















      • I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

        – isherwood
        8 hours ago











      • I’ll definitely check it out.

        – milesmeow
        2 hours ago
















      3














      If you insulate your walls, you will thus be warmer during the summer and winter, and a black exterior would absorb sunlight and warm your house lightly. A white paint would reflect light and keep the outside of your house cooler.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















      • I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

        – isherwood
        8 hours ago











      • I’ll definitely check it out.

        – milesmeow
        2 hours ago














      3












      3








      3







      If you insulate your walls, you will thus be warmer during the summer and winter, and a black exterior would absorb sunlight and warm your house lightly. A white paint would reflect light and keep the outside of your house cooler.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.










      If you insulate your walls, you will thus be warmer during the summer and winter, and a black exterior would absorb sunlight and warm your house lightly. A white paint would reflect light and keep the outside of your house cooler.







      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer






      New contributor




      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      answered 8 hours ago









      Ethan SlotaEthan Slota

      311




      311




      New contributor




      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





      New contributor





      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      Ethan Slota is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.













      • I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

        – isherwood
        8 hours ago











      • I’ll definitely check it out.

        – milesmeow
        2 hours ago



















      • I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

        – isherwood
        8 hours ago











      • I’ll definitely check it out.

        – milesmeow
        2 hours ago

















      I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

      – isherwood
      8 hours ago





      I think you meant cooler in summer, but yeah.

      – isherwood
      8 hours ago













      I’ll definitely check it out.

      – milesmeow
      2 hours ago





      I’ll definitely check it out.

      – milesmeow
      2 hours ago











      0














      Yes. Every paint has a reflectivity - the cosmological term for the same thing is albedo. This is a hard number, and the paint manufacturer can tell you what it is. It will be a percentage; for instance my favorite gloss white has a 91% reflectivity or albedo.



      All the rest is absorbed. There is no magic where some of the absorbed energy is radiated, that would be part of the albedo!



      Solarization is about 1000 watts per square meter square-on with the sun. Figure for the total exposure area, factored for the angle to the sun (which changes). Figure the hours of exposure. Multiply that by your paint's reflectivity and that will be your house's solar gain.






      share|improve this answer




























        0














        Yes. Every paint has a reflectivity - the cosmological term for the same thing is albedo. This is a hard number, and the paint manufacturer can tell you what it is. It will be a percentage; for instance my favorite gloss white has a 91% reflectivity or albedo.



        All the rest is absorbed. There is no magic where some of the absorbed energy is radiated, that would be part of the albedo!



        Solarization is about 1000 watts per square meter square-on with the sun. Figure for the total exposure area, factored for the angle to the sun (which changes). Figure the hours of exposure. Multiply that by your paint's reflectivity and that will be your house's solar gain.






        share|improve this answer


























          0












          0








          0







          Yes. Every paint has a reflectivity - the cosmological term for the same thing is albedo. This is a hard number, and the paint manufacturer can tell you what it is. It will be a percentage; for instance my favorite gloss white has a 91% reflectivity or albedo.



          All the rest is absorbed. There is no magic where some of the absorbed energy is radiated, that would be part of the albedo!



          Solarization is about 1000 watts per square meter square-on with the sun. Figure for the total exposure area, factored for the angle to the sun (which changes). Figure the hours of exposure. Multiply that by your paint's reflectivity and that will be your house's solar gain.






          share|improve this answer













          Yes. Every paint has a reflectivity - the cosmological term for the same thing is albedo. This is a hard number, and the paint manufacturer can tell you what it is. It will be a percentage; for instance my favorite gloss white has a 91% reflectivity or albedo.



          All the rest is absorbed. There is no magic where some of the absorbed energy is radiated, that would be part of the albedo!



          Solarization is about 1000 watts per square meter square-on with the sun. Figure for the total exposure area, factored for the angle to the sun (which changes). Figure the hours of exposure. Multiply that by your paint's reflectivity and that will be your house's solar gain.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 4 hours ago









          HarperHarper

          69.8k346141




          69.8k346141























              0














              If you really want a dark color you can add ceramic beads to the paint which will reflect infrared heat away. e.g.: insuladd I want to do this next time I paint (SoCal also) even if I use a light color paint.



              Here's an article on BobVila.com with more information.






              share|improve this answer




























                0














                If you really want a dark color you can add ceramic beads to the paint which will reflect infrared heat away. e.g.: insuladd I want to do this next time I paint (SoCal also) even if I use a light color paint.



                Here's an article on BobVila.com with more information.






                share|improve this answer


























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  If you really want a dark color you can add ceramic beads to the paint which will reflect infrared heat away. e.g.: insuladd I want to do this next time I paint (SoCal also) even if I use a light color paint.



                  Here's an article on BobVila.com with more information.






                  share|improve this answer













                  If you really want a dark color you can add ceramic beads to the paint which will reflect infrared heat away. e.g.: insuladd I want to do this next time I paint (SoCal also) even if I use a light color paint.



                  Here's an article on BobVila.com with more information.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 2 hours ago









                  ArluinArluin

                  66437




                  66437























                      -1














                      It does not matter much. Yes, a dark color absorbs more heat, but it also radiates more away. It would become hotter faster during day but cool down much faster at night. A white surface absorbs less but radiates less. I would go for a white color because in direct sunlight the surface temperature of a black surface can become scalding hot, which is not fun if you accidentally lean on it or have kids around.






                      share|improve this answer
























                      • This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

                        – Sam
                        2 hours ago
















                      -1














                      It does not matter much. Yes, a dark color absorbs more heat, but it also radiates more away. It would become hotter faster during day but cool down much faster at night. A white surface absorbs less but radiates less. I would go for a white color because in direct sunlight the surface temperature of a black surface can become scalding hot, which is not fun if you accidentally lean on it or have kids around.






                      share|improve this answer
























                      • This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

                        – Sam
                        2 hours ago














                      -1












                      -1








                      -1







                      It does not matter much. Yes, a dark color absorbs more heat, but it also radiates more away. It would become hotter faster during day but cool down much faster at night. A white surface absorbs less but radiates less. I would go for a white color because in direct sunlight the surface temperature of a black surface can become scalding hot, which is not fun if you accidentally lean on it or have kids around.






                      share|improve this answer













                      It does not matter much. Yes, a dark color absorbs more heat, but it also radiates more away. It would become hotter faster during day but cool down much faster at night. A white surface absorbs less but radiates less. I would go for a white color because in direct sunlight the surface temperature of a black surface can become scalding hot, which is not fun if you accidentally lean on it or have kids around.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered 6 hours ago









                      Stian YttervikStian Yttervik

                      1307




                      1307













                      • This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

                        – Sam
                        2 hours ago



















                      • This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

                        – Sam
                        2 hours ago

















                      This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

                      – Sam
                      2 hours ago





                      This is pretty obviously wrong. The idea seems correct, but go touch a black surface on 100 degree day vs a white surface which is hotter?

                      – Sam
                      2 hours ago


















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