White Roof Shingles: Do They Exist and Do They Work?

By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.

White roof shingles are asphalt shingles finished with light, solar reflective granules, and the whitest rated products top out near 0.28 aged solar reflectance and a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 29: that is the figure Owens Corning publishes for TruDefinition Duration COOL Shasta White (CRRC 0890-0008) and CertainTeed publishes for Landmark Solaris Mist White (CRRC 0668-0071). They exist and they do cut rooftop heat, but true bright white is rare, most “white” products are frost or off white blends, and even the whitest asphalt shingle reflects far less sun than a white TPO membrane, which Johns Manville rates at 0.77 initial reflectance.

Decision table: should you choose white roof shingles?

Do true white asphalt shingles actually exist?

Yes, but genuine bright white asphalt shingles are uncommon, and most products marketed as white are off white, frost or pale gray blends. Shingle color comes from the mineral granules pressed into the asphalt. The rated white options are a short list: Owens Corning Shasta White, CertainTeed Landmark Solaris Mist White, Malarkey Highlander Ivory Mist (SRI 26, CRRC 0850-0055) and TAMKO Titan XT Glacier White, which TAMKO describes as a mix of cool whites and soft greys with availability that varies by region.

The reflectance comes from engineered granules, not paint. Cool roof shingles use granules coated with infrared reflective pigments so the surface throws back more of the sun’s near infrared energy; Malarkey, for example, builds its darker Vista Cool and Highlander Cool lines on 3M Cool Roofing Granules and says classic black-granule shingles reflect only 3% to 12% of solar energy. A white blend without that treatment still beats a standard shingle: California’s performance method assumes an aged solar reflectance of only 0.08 for an unrated asphalt shingle, per the Energy Code Ace Title 24 fact sheet.

How much heat does a white shingle roof reflect?

The whitest rated asphalt shingles reflect about 28% of sunlight after three years of weathering (aged solar reflectance 0.28 for Shasta White and Mist White), versus 0.08 assumed for an unrated shingle under Title 24. That is the low end of the white roof options: a white TPO membrane such as JM TPO starts at 0.77 and ages to 0.70. CertainTeed’s own Solaris page says the granule blend “can reflect up to 27 percent of solar heat.” In air-conditioned homes, the EPA reports cool roofs can reduce peak cooling demand by 11% to 27%.

Solar reflectance runs on a 0 to 1 scale, where 1 reflects all sunlight. Two numbers matter: solar reflectance, how much sun bounces off, and thermal emittance, how fast the surface sheds absorbed heat. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) tests solar reflectance by ASTM C1549 and thermal emittance by ASTM C1371, then publishes both for rated products. The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) combines the two into one figure, where higher stays cooler; rated white shingles land at SRI 26 to 29 and dark cool shingles at 16 to 21 in the maker charts below.

Roof surface	Solar reflectance	Thermal emittance	SRI	Source
Unrated asphalt shingle (Title 24 default)	0.08 aged	0.75	N/A	Energy Code Ace Title 24 fact sheet
Owens Corning Duration COOL Night Sky (dark cool)	0.18 aged	0.90	16	Owens Corning brochure
CertainTeed Landmark Solaris Moire Black (dark cool)	0.18 aged	0.92	17	CertainTeed Solaris brochure
Owens Corning Duration COOL Oyster Shell (light)	0.22 aged	0.92	22	Owens Corning brochure
Malarkey Highlander Ivory Mist	N/A	N/A	26 (3-year)	Malarkey CRRC chart
Owens Corning Duration COOL Shasta White	0.28 aged	0.91	29	Owens Corning brochure
CertainTeed Landmark Solaris Mist White	0.28 aged	0.90	29	CertainTeed Solaris brochure
JM TPO 60 mil, white (low slope only)	0.77 initial, 0.70 aged	0.87 initial	95 initial	JM TPO data sheet

Owens Corning’s aged reflectance figures are calculated with the California Energy Code equation, and Malarkey marks some values as calculated with the CEC SRI worksheet, so confirm the current CRRC listing by product ID before you rely on a number. If peak reflectance is the goal, a white membrane on a low-slope roof does far more. On a steep roof, the reflective alternative is painted metal, with maker white colors charted at SRI 63 to 89 in our guide to the white metal roof. For measured values by roof type and color, see our roofing solar reflectance and SRI reference, and for a climate by climate breakdown of cooling savings, our cool roof energy savings report.

What standards make a white shingle a “cool” roof?

A shingle counts as a cool roof only when its tested solar reflectance and thermal emittance meet a named program threshold, not because it looks white. Today the working benchmarks are California Title 24, local codes such as Los Angeles County Title 31, and the CRRC ratings both rely on. ENERGY STAR no longer certifies roofs: per the CRRC, the ENERGY STAR roof products program ended June 1, 2022, and EPA Directive 2019-01 archived the certified list on that date.

Program or standard	Steep slope requirement	How it is measured
California Title 24, Part 6, 2025 code in effect since January 1, 2026 (single-family reroof, climate zones 4 and 8 to 15)	Aged solar reflectance at least 0.20 and thermal emittance at least 0.75, or SRI 16	CRRC listing; Section 150.2(b)1Ii applies when more than 50% of the roof is replaced, with exceptions such as R-38 ceiling insulation or a qualifying radiant barrier, per the CRRC chart of 2025 Title 24 cool roof requirements (Dec 4, 2025)
Los Angeles County Title 31	SRI at least 20	CRRC-rated color, per Malarkey’s chart
ENERGY STAR roof products (sunset June 1, 2022)	Former V3.0 steep slope floor: initial SR 0.25 and 0.15 after 3 years	No longer certifies; list archived by EPA
CRRC rating (the source data)	No pass or fail; publishes initial and aged values	Solar reflectance by ASTM C1549, thermal emittance by ASTM C1371

The aged number is the one that counts. A shingle can leave the factory at a higher reflectance and drop after three years of dirt and weathering, which is why Title 24 uses aged values. When a supplier quotes a single reflectance figure, ask whether it is the initial or the aged CRRC value, and ask for the CRRC product ID (for example 0890-0008 for Shasta White).

White and cool shingle products worth knowing

Several major manufacturers list a white or high reflectance option, usually inside a dedicated cool roof line rather than the standard palette. TAMKO and CertainTeed both state that color availability varies by region, so confirm the exact color, its CRRC product ID and its price with a local supplier before ordering.

Brand	Line or white color	Reflective tech	Published rating	Best for
CertainTeed	Landmark Solaris, Mist White	Solaris granule blend; CertainTeed says up to 27 percent of solar heat reflected	CRRC 0668-0071: aged SR 0.28, SRI 29; meets Title 24 and Title 31	Hot climates wanting the highest asphalt reflectance
Owens Corning	TruDefinition Duration COOL, Shasta White	Solar reflecting granules across rated colors	CRRC 0890-0008: aged SR 0.28, SRI 29	Title 24 jobs
GAF	Timberline HDZ RS (Reflector Series)	EcoDark reflective granules in darker colors	CRRC rated; check the color’s listing	California steep slope compliance in darker colors
TAMKO	Titan XT, Glacier White	Light laminated blend	Check CRRC by color	A light color look
Malarkey	Highlander Ivory Mist; Vista Cool and Highlander Cool lines	3M Cool Roofing Granules on the Cool lines	Ivory Mist SRI 26 (CRRC 0850-0055); Cool colors SRI 20 to 22	Title 31 jobs needing SRI 20+

Treat this as a shortlist to price locally, not a spec sheet, and check each color’s CRRC product ID. If you are comparing color options within one brand, our guide to GAF’s full shingle color palette shows how the light and reflective blends sit next to the standard grays and browns.

Pros of a white shingle roof

The core benefit is heat control: a 0.28 reflectance shingle sends back more than three times the sunlight of the 0.08 default Title 24 assumes for an unrated shingle, which keeps the deck and attic cooler. The EPA puts the peak cooling demand cut at 11% to 27% for air-conditioned homes with cool roofs, with the biggest return in cooling dominated climates such as Florida, Texas and Arizona.

• Lower attic and cooling load: A cooler deck moves less heat into the living space, easing air conditioning runtime in hot months.
• Code compliance: CRRC-rated white colors at aged SR 0.28 clear California’s 0.20 steep slope floor and LA County’s SRI 20 rule.
• Looks on light homes: Some owners choose white to match a light exterior, though how it looks is a matter of taste and neighborhood context.
• Less thermal cycling: A cooler surface may reduce daily expansion and contraction stress compared with a black roof in intense sun.

Cons of a white shingle roof

The two real drawbacks are appearance over time and resale. White shows every streak of dirt, pollen and algae, so a roof that looks crisp at install can look stained within a few seasons without cleaning; that is why CertainTeed pairs Landmark Solaris with a 25-year StreakFighter algae warranty where available. White is also a polarizing color that suits some homes and neighborhoods and clashes with others.

• Algae streaking shows badly: Black streaks from Gloeocapsa magma algae are far more visible on white than on gray or brown.
• Reflectance fades when dirty: As grime and algae build up, the surface reflects less sun, eroding the cooling benefit it was chosen for.
• Resale can be harder: A stark white roof may reduce appeal for buyers who prefer traditional colors or worry about upkeep.
• Fewer true white options: The palette is thin, so matching a specific shade or brand line is harder than with mainstream colors.
• Winter heating penalty: The EPA notes cool roofs may raise winter heating use in cold climates, a penalty it says is typically offset by summer cooling savings.

Does a white roof stay white?

Not on its own. A white shingle roof stays white only with periodic cleaning, because airborne dirt, pollen and algae settle into the granules and darken the surface. The weathering loss is why CRRC publishes 3-year aged values, and why the EPA lists periodic cleaning to keep reflectance up as an ongoing cool roof cost. Roofs in humid, tree shaded or coastal settings streak fastest.

Two things slow it down. First, choose an algae resistant shingle: lines such as CertainTeed’s StreakFighter technology (25-year algae warranty on Landmark Solaris, where available) are built to limit the Gloeocapsa magma growth that causes black streaking. Second, use a soft wash or manufacturer approved cleaning solution, never a high pressure blast that strips granules, and check the shingle warranty’s cleaning rules before you start.

What do white shingles cost?

White and cool shingles are priced as architectural shingles, which our 2026 roofing cost report puts at $5 to $8 per square foot installed ($500 to $800 per 100 sq ft square), or $10,000 to $16,000 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. The EPA notes that products using infrared reflective pigments tend to cost more than conventional pigments, so ask the supplier to quote the cool color and a standard color side by side.

Regional stocking moves the number. TAMKO and CertainTeed both say color availability varies by region, and a white that is a special order in your market can mean a longer lead time and a freight surcharge. For a full breakdown by shingle grade, see our guide to what shingles cost installed in 2026, and weigh the pick against the best roofing shingles ranked by brand and type.

White shingles vs a cool color darker shingle

You no longer have to go white to get a cool roof, but darker cool colors reflect less: CertainTeed’s Moire Black Solaris rates aged SR 0.18 (SRI 17) and Owens Corning’s Duration COOL Sierra Gray 0.20 (SRI 20), against 0.28 (SRI 29) for the white blends. GAF’s Timberline HDZ RS uses EcoDark granules to push reflective colors darker. A dark cool color hides dirt and algae far better and can still meet Title 24’s 0.20 floor in some colors, so it suits homeowners chasing modest savings without the cleaning. The reflective granule technology itself, across every color, is covered in our guide to how solar reflective shingles work and whether they save money; this page focuses on the white and near white look specifically.

If reflectance is truly the priority and shingles feel like a compromise, other reflective roof types outperform any asphalt shingle: JM’s white TPO starts at 0.77, nearly three times the best white shingle. On slopes under 2:12, where IRC R905.2.2 rules out asphalt shingles anyway, a white membrane or coating is the path. Our overview of sustainable roofing options including cool roofs and solar compares those paths side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Are white shingles more energy efficient than black shingles?

Yes, in cooling dominated climates. A rated white asphalt shingle such as Shasta White or Mist White has an aged solar reflectance of 0.28, versus 0.18 for dark cool colors and 0.08 assumed for an unrated shingle under Title 24. The EPA reports cool roofs can cut peak cooling demand in air-conditioned homes by 11% to 27%, with smaller gains in cold climates.

Do white asphalt shingles qualify for ENERGY STAR?

Not anymore. The ENERGY STAR roof products program ended June 1, 2022, and EPA archived the certified list that day. Its former steep slope floor was an initial solar reflectance of 0.25 and 0.15 after three years. Today, check the shingle’s CRRC listing and your local code, such as California Title 24 (aged SR 0.20, emittance 0.75).

What SRI do white asphalt shingles have?

The whitest rated asphalt shingles list an SRI of 29: Owens Corning Duration COOL Shasta White (CRRC 0890-0008) and CertainTeed Landmark Solaris Mist White (CRRC 0668-0071). Malarkey’s Highlander Ivory Mist lists SRI 26. Dark cool colors run SRI 16 to 21, while a white TPO membrane such as JM TPO lists SRI 95 initial.

Do white roofs get dirty fast?

They show dirt and algae faster than dark roofs because stains contrast sharply against a light surface, and soiling lowers the aged reflectance CRRC measures after 3 years. Choosing an algae resistant shingle, such as Landmark Solaris with its 25-year StreakFighter algae warranty where available, and soft washing per the maker’s rules keeps the roof looking clean.

Are white shingles worth it?

They can be in hot climates where cooling costs dominate and the look fits the home, at the same $5 to $8 per square foot installed as other architectural shingles. In cold climates, on heavily shaded lots, or where resale depends on traditional colors, a dark cool color at aged SR 0.18 to 0.20 is the lower-maintenance compromise.

What is the whitest roof material?

White single ply membranes and reflective coatings reflect the most sunlight: JM’s white TPO rates 0.77 initial and 0.70 aged solar reflectance. The whitest asphalt shingles reach 0.28 aged, so shingles are the least reflective of the common white roof options while still beating any dark shingle.