Mother Nature is often at her strongest during the winter months, especially in a snowy climate. The harshest winters can be hard on your home. Freezing rain, snow, ice, wind, and hail have the most impact on the surface of your regular shingles. A plain cedar shake roof, for example, is not one of the best materials for cold climates.
Not all roofing materials work the same in cold climates. Some roofing materials have an advantage over others in making sure your roof will remain unscathed. Choosing the best roofing material will help create a cold climate roof capable of holding up in a colder climate. You want to make sure every square foot of your roof is secure.
Damage from a cold climate can lead to insurance claims and expensive repairs, as well as decrease energy efficiency. John Stocco, commercial insurance consultant explains, “In the winter months, we have accumulating snow and ice, causing snow loading. The first concern is the roof. You need to make sure your roof can handle the additional load and that you have plans in place to mitigate that exposure as much as you can.”
High winds can loosen or break off roof shingles with ease. If any flashing is loose, it can be caught in wind gusts and tear off of your roof. This can lead to leaks into the interior of your home. High winds tend to cause damage when they exceed 45 mph and above.
Hail is notorious for causing roof damage. It can dent flashing, vent units, and metal roofs. Insurance claims due to hail damage have been increasing in recent years. While most claims come during the summer months, hail can also damage your roof in late fall and early spring.
Freezing rain and snowfall can impact your roof. Add in ice and the risk of damage increases. When temperatures fall below the freezing point, water on your roof will freeze. Water expands as it freezes; if the moisture is in between shingles, it can cause damage. In this case, beware of heavy rain.
Water that accumulates in your gutters and freezes will block the flow and prevent water from draining. This can lead to water damage to the edge of your roof and your gutters themselves. Paying attention to this can help prevent roof collapse.
Water, snow, and ice are also rather heavy. Snow can weigh up to 20 pounds per cubic foot.. Unlike rain, snow does not typically disperse off your roof quickly. Snow buildup could cause a strain on your roof or leaks into the interior of your home, as well as creating costly ice dams.
Slate tile roofing is a natural stone product known for long-lasting durability. Slate makes a great buffer against hail, wind, and ice, and can hold more weight than other types of roofs. They are among the best roofs for resisting winter damages.
In tests, these types of roofs can withstand winds up to 160 mph when properly installed. Slate roofing is very dense and prevent heat loss from your home. This helps maintain a proper roof temperature all winter long while saving money on your heating bills, making them energy efficient. A slate roof will keep your home warm and ensures they are virtually indestructible from strong winds.
During installation, these types of roofs can also be insulated, making them a great choice for cold weather climates. With extra insulation, you can expect a slate tile roof to last for up to 100 years.
One drawback to slate tile roofing is the high cost over other types of roofing material. Because of their weight, slate tiles require careful evaluation by a professional of the roof structure to ensure it can handle the extra pounds. Your roof may need additional structural support before installation.
Metal roofs are lightweight but durable against harsh weather. When installed on a sloped roof, this roof material has a smooth surface that prevents snow and ice from building up on the surface. They are also a good block from high winds and can withstand heavy snow buildup, making them perfect for stopping ice dams from forming.
Most metal roof installations in cold climates include snow guards. These are metal rooftop devices that create a snow and ice slide, allowing it to fall off the roof in small amounts instead of all at once.
You can also add heating cables for metal roofing. This keeps ice from building up on the roof surface.
On the other hand, metal roofs need to be installed with additional insulations in colder areas which can increase the cost of the roof. If this insulation is not installed correctly, you may see a significant increase in your energy bill. They are also not resistant to hail and can dent easily. This can result in added repair costs over the life of the roof.
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Asphalt shingles are a very popular roofing material for all types of climates. The installation process is easy, and they also make good tiles for solar panels.
They are cheaper than other types of roof materials and have a good expected lifespan. They're one of the most affordable option compared to others. These roof shingles are waterproof when proper installation is done.
Unfortunately, fiberglass asphalt shingles can become worn and damaged over time. They are easily damaged by hail and do not hold up to heavy winds as well as other roofing material choices. During very cold weather, they are prone to cracking and lead to higher repair costs. They can possibly be strengthened with additional insulation. While this may help keep your house warm and your utility bill low, it is not the best roof material for colder climates.
Synthetic tiles offer the look of a wood shake roof or stone shingles without the cost. In fact, they are lower in cost in both materials and installation. Synthetic tiles are often referred to as "super shingles."
They are lightweight and highly durable. These tiles have a Class 4 Impact Rating, which is the highest rating available. Thus, they are very resistant to hail and wind damage. They are also resistant to freezing. They are good insulators and lower your energy costs while also providing better air circulation
Synthetic tiles have not been on the market for very long; their total lifespan is unknown. Roofing researchers are optimistic that these synthetic tiles will hold up well, but that has not yet been proven in installations out in the field. It isn't always wise to take chances with your roof in a cold climate.
Cement roof tiles are made from cement, sand, and pigment and can be formed into various shapes. Cement tiles are some of the most durable roofing materials available, especially for snowy climates. A concrete tile roof is able to withstand extremely cold temperatures and can handle the weight of snow and ice with ease. They are most often installed on a raised batten system and reduce energy costs. These tiles are very resistant to damage from snow, high winds, ice, and hail.
Because cement tiles are heavy, you need to ensure your roof structure can accommodate these types of tiles. They are more difficult to install, so it is important to get a qualified roofer with experience in concrete roof tile installation to do the work.
Finally, while they are easy to maintain, the color of your roof will fade over time.
To reduce the risk of damage to your roof, plan to inspect your roof periodically during the winter months. Ensure that your gutters are not blocked with leaves, twig debris, or ice. When your roof is damaged, it can result in leaks into the interior of your home. This can be costly to repair and can lead to further damage and mold growth.
If you have a particularly heavy snowstorm, you may want to remove some of the heavy snow from your roof. This is a risky job, so this is not typically recommended. If you do need to get up on your snow-covered roof, take safety precautions to not slip off of your roof. Snow is heavy, and you would be adding your own weight to that.
This could cause an unstable roof to collapse. Some homeowners end up damaging their roof using a shovel to remove the excess snow. It is important to not make contact between the roofing shingles and the edge of the shovel. The best way to remove snow from a roof is to use a snow shovel with an extendable handle. This lets you pull the snow down off the roof.
Finally, if a big storm does hit, take care while you inspect your roof. “It’s really hard to assess damage from the ground,” says Greg Derr of Triple Diamond Construction. “If you’re going to go check your roof, be extremely careful especially after an ice storm. There’s a lot of things that could happen as far as broken rafters and things like that.”
You should always call in a professional immediately for major damage. But if the damage is minor, you probably have time to get it looked at. “Be patient, relax,” says Derr. “If you don’t have immediate damage, then allow professionals to get to you when they can.”
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