A dark exterior could lead to a warmer interior.
Here’s what to do if you want to choose a moody color anyway.
Paintingthe outside of your homea dark color is all the rage.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
During the hot summer months, the last thing homeowners want is another reason tokeep 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.
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.
Aesthetics andcurb appealare not the only things that could impact how you finish the exterior of your home.
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 impactheating and cooling costs.
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.
Dark exterior colors might make the inside hotter, and they could also affect how the interior space feels.
The perception of a space feeling smaller due to darker exterior hues can be subjective, Bianco says.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste.
Another key strategy is to ensure the home is properly insulated.
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 andhigh-performance windowsthat provide UV protection and minimize the heat increase from the sun.
Building a shadier surrounding withlandscaping or accessoriescan also help keep a home cooler.
