My sense tells me that installing light colored shingles in a warm climate (FL) in almost no shade will save cooling costs. Are there any experts to contradict that logic or share any words of wisdom shingle-wise when we build our new home?

Blueeagle,

Although you have not specified what type of shingles you intend to install on your house (organic duroid, stained/treated cedar, tile base, fibreglass duroid, etc) there is a general rule concerning this. Since the lighter the color the more light/heat rays are reflected away from a surface, there will be less heat absorbed by a lighter colored roof. Indeed, on houses we have built a lighter shade of roofing has always been installed for just this reason.

However a properly insulated, and ventilated, attic area will transmit very little heat to the living area below. So the savings in cooling costs won't be as great as you might expect. By the same token, a dark colored roof will not do much to add heat to the living area in winter when the attic is properly insulated and ventilated either.

As you are inquiring about cooling costs, I will assume that this is your main concern. If you need some info on the latest, and most effective, means of venting attic areas...just leave a note here and I'll dig up the link to a site that will give you all the answers you need.

Tractor,
My concerns were practical (cooler) vs. appearance of the fiberglass variety shingles for the lighter shades in sunny Florida. Any savings will be welcomed I anticipate using passive ventilation with ridge vents. If you have any reference material available on the net I'd welcome it.
Thanks again

If you are looking for ultra high effiency you might want to check up on this little gem, oh "Great Blue Winged Raptor."

Yes a light color will absorb less heat than a dark one. What kind of savings that has one your cooling bills depends on what is in your attic.

Most homes have a roof which is 3 or more feet above the ceilings of the interior. In this attic/crawl space there should be a good deal of insulating material.

Further there should be ventilation, allowing air to come in through the eaves and exit either through the ridge line or through the gables.

What should be taking place is a heating of the attic/crawlspace which causes the air to heat and rise, which should pull cooler air in, this flow also pulls out condensation.

IF you really want to save money, invest in good attic insulation.

If you have a flat roof or a roof that does not have a crawl space then going with reflective shingles is the best way you can cut costs on your cooling bills.

Cheers

David

I've lived in a number of homes here in Florida and have found that the homes that had the lowest electric bills in A/C weather, ALL had concret type Tile roofs... kThe attics with tile roofs were very confortable in the hottest temps....The homes I've had with white asphalt singles did NOT have a comfortable what so ever..

I wouldn't have a home in the South that didn't have tiled roof...

Forgot to add....
If all of those homes that burned in California had tiled roofs, I bet that 3/4 of them would still be standing.... Almost all that burned was because the roofs were set afire by embers.