Does Painting Your House a Dark Color Make It Hotter?

A dark exterior could lead to a warmer interior. Here’s what to do if you want to choose a moody color anyway.

Painting the outside of your home a dark color is all the rage. From black paneling to dark blue siding, these bold exteriors attract both aesthetic attention and heat from the sun. During the hot summer months, the last thing homeowners want is another reason to keep the air conditioner going.

But is it actually true that dark colors make your home’s interior warmer? Read on to learn what home improvement experts think about whether dark-colored walls and exteriors affect room temperatures. And if you are planning to paint your home a dark color, they also share their top tips to keep your interior cool.

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What to Know Before Choosing a Dark Exterior Color

Whether you’re building a home from scratch, redoing the exterior, or simply looking to freshen up a coat of paint, there are a few things to consider before committing to the darker look—even if it is popular.

“The trend of dark-colored exteriors is favored for their sleek and modern appearance,” says Aino Heinäsuo, head of design at Redecor. Consider how the dark color will look with your home’s design style. Just because it is to your liking, remember it may not suit everyone’s tastes. “When it comes to time to sell your home, you may find that this dominant color scheme puts potential buyers off,” says Ornella Bianco, a home improvement specialist at Fixr.com.

Aesthetics and curb appeal are not the only things that could impact how you finish the exterior of your home. While darker colors tend to minimize the look of imperfections on the exterior, those painted colors also require more attention. “While better suited for northern climates, dark exterior colors also tend to fade faster from UV exposure, requiring more frequent maintenance and repainting to maintain their appearance,” Bianco says. It’s a good idea to reflect on how often you’re willing to put in the work maintaining the exterior before painting it black.

Plus, painting your house a dark color might cost you more than just the paint cans. Dark colors absorb more sunlight and convert it into heat, meaning it can also impact heating and cooling costs. “This impact is especially undesirable in hotter climates, but in colder countries, it can be beneficial as a way to retain heat,” Heinäsuo says. So, heating bills could be slightly lower in the winter, but air conditioners could work harder in the summer.

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Does Painting Your Home a Dark Color Actually Make It Hotter?

 Simply put, yes, a dark exterior color can make it hotter indoors when the sun is shining. “It is true that painting your house a darker color can make it hotter because dark colors absorb more sunlight and convert it into heat,” Heinäsuo says. However, just how much hotter it gets inside your home will depend on how well-insulated the house is and what kind of material the exterior is made of.

A dark-colored metal exterior, for example, is a heat conductor that is more likely to heat your interior than a dark-colored wooden exterior that still absorbs heat but not at the same level. “If you plan to paint vinyl siding, avoid choosing a darker shade than the original siding to prevent excessive heat absorption that could lead to warping and melting,” Bianco adds.

Dark exterior colors might make the inside hotter, and they could also affect how the interior space feels. For some, it makes a space feel smaller, for others it makes it cozier—or it may not have any effect at all. “The perception of a space feeling smaller due to darker exterior hues can be subjective,” Bianco says. This feeling is influenced by design and architectural features like lighting, the number and size of windows, as well as interior paint colors or wall patterns. Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste.

Related: Can You Paint Vinyl Siding? Yes, Here’s What You Need to Know

How to Keep Your Home Cool—Even With a Dark Exterior Color

There are ways to minimize the interior temperature increase if you’re set on a dark exterior paint color. If you’re starting from scratch with a dark color or getting a renovation done, try installing energy-efficient siding materials that will be more heat resistant.

Another key strategy is to ensure the home is properly insulated. “Focusing on insulation in walls, attics, and basements is crucial for reducing heat transfer,” Heinäsuo says. Proper insulation keeps your home cool in summer and warm in winter.

If the exterior walls absorb more heat, adjust other parts of the house to reduce their heat intake. Invest in energy-efficient and high-performance windows that provide UV protection and minimize the heat increase from the sun. “Reflective roofing materials such as reflective shingles and efficient ventilation systems are also essential strategies to counteract heat buildup,” Bianco says.

Building a shadier surrounding with landscaping or accessories can also help keep a home cooler. “External shading devices like awnings, pergolas, or strategically planted trees can also provide shade and reduce direct sunlight exposure to the house,” Heinäsuo says. So, if you love the dark color look and want to hop on the trend, there are many ways to keep the interior temperature from rising too much in the summer heat.

Related: 24 Tips for Energy-Efficient Homes

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