Up on the Rooftop
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Up on the Rooftop

The next time you walk outside, take a moment to gaze up at your roof. What do you see? Do you see even shingles that are all laying flat? Or do you see shingles that are starting to curl and that are covered in moss? You can tell a lot about the condition of your roof just by looking at it. If you are at all concerned about the state of your roof, then your first call should be to a roofing contractor. They can evaluate the situation and recommend repairs or replacement as needed. Learn more about roofing and roofing contractors here on this website.

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Up on the Rooftop

Snowy Climate? These Roofing Materials Work Well

Lori Silva

When you live in a snowy climate, you need to take that snow into account whenever making any decisions about your home. That includes when you replace your roof. The roofing material you choose needs to stand up to the snow and cold. It needs to not only be a good insulator but must also resist displacement if water freezes on it. So what roofing materials tend to work well in a snowy climate? Take a look.

Architectural Shingles

Asphalt shingles have been around for decades and are a classic roofing option. In a snowy climate, you want to look for architectural shingles, in particular. Instead of having three, equally sized tabs, these shingles have several layers of differently sized tabs. This shape makes them less likely to grab onto the snow and it also helps prevent water from settling under the shingles, freezing, expanding, and prying the shingles off the roof.

Architectural shingles are highly textured and give your home a traditional look. They come in many colors, and they're easy to install. Most are warranted to last at least 30 years, even in a snowy climate.

Metal Sheeting

Sheet metal roofing is also a great choice for homes in snowy climates. It becomes slick when wet, so if the snow starts to melt at all, it just slides off the roof rather than re-freezing. The large, heavy sheets are less likely to be peeled off the roof by ice, anyways.

Sheet metal roofing has a rather modern look, and it is quite long-lasting. Many metal roofing systems last 50 years or more. Although metal is more costly than shingles, it is more affordable than slate. It is pretty easy to find a roofing company that installs metal, especially in snowy areas where metal is becoming more and more popular.

Slate

Slate is an old-fashioned roofing material. It became less popular when easy-to-install asphalt shingles were introduced to the market. However, slate is still a very durable roofing option, especially in snowy areas. Slate is literally stone, so it won't be damaged by moisture exposure, and it is heavy enough to resist lifting due to snow thawing and refreezing. 

Slate is expensive, and it can be tough to find a roofing company that installs it. Once it is in place, however, it can last 100 years or more.

Talk to your local roofing contractor about these three top roofing choices for snowy climates. They can help you pick the one that's best for you. 


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