Having a well-built home is essential when you live somewhere prone to cold weather and snow. This means ensuring that it is airtight so that heat cannot escape and choosing materials that can withstand harsh, wintery conditions.
One area where your material choice is especially important is your roof, the home's main line of defense from high winds, heavy snowfall, and freezing temperatures. Choosing the best roof material for snow will protect your home from these harsh conditions, to keep you safe and warm.
This article will explore the potential roof damage that snow and cold weather can cause and review the best roofing materials for cold climates.
Potential Roof Damage from Snow
Despite seeming unassuming, snow can potentially cause serious damage to your roof, which can lead to costly repairs. From weight issues to water damage, there are numerous issues, and they can range in severity:
Excess Weight
All roofs have specified roof loads or a stated maximum amount of weight they can hold, divided into "live" and "dead" loads. While dead loads include permanent fixtures, like the roofing materials, a live load is anything temporary––like snow, which, despite appearances, is incredibly heavy. When snow piles up on a roof, it creates extra strain, and if your roof cannot handle that live load, there is a risk of collapsing. Not only would this mean massive property damage, but there is a serious risk of potentially fatal injuries as well.
It can be a common issue for homes with weak structures or weighty roofing materials, like slate. Some signs that the snow on a roof is causing too much strain include difficulty opening and closing doors and windows, sagging sailings, and creaking.
Water Damage
Water damage is another serious issue, because melting snow can seep into even the smallest of cracks on your roof, and seep into the roof decking and framing, which is typically wood. This moisture can lead to mold and rot, eventually leading to more severe roof leaks and sagging. It can also create health problems as mold worsens and spreads. Unfortunately, this problem can go unnoticed until it becomes severe because it happens in the attic.
Ice Dams
While melting snow is a major culprit of water damage to roofs, it is not the only one. Ice dams can also cause issues created by snow melting from your home's heat and freezing down the roof's edges into icicles. As this process repeats, the icicles form an ice dam. This constant melting and freezing can result in water getting under the roof's flashing, creating leaks. Preventing ice dams and water damage requires adequate attic ventilation, insulation, and the best roofing materials for cold climates.
Factors That Make the Best Roof Material for Snow
Determining the best roofing materials for a snowy area requires looking for specific factors. These factors are crucial and shouldn't be ignored because they will keep your home safe, warm, and free from damage. The most important of these factors include:
Lightweight Form
Weight is a significant concern when considering roofing materials that can handle snowy climates. As mentioned previously, all roofs have a certain load capacity or maximum weight that they can safely hold without collapsing or becoming damaged. The dead weight includes your roofing material and anything permanently attached to the roof. A life load is anything else that isn't permanent––like snow.
Heavier roof materials like slate tiles detract from the roof's live load capacity, and put the roof at more risk of collapse or damage without proper precautions, like reinforcing the structure. By choosing a lighter material, these concerns are eliminated because there is more live load capacity to support the weight of the snow.
Porosity
Porosity is another factor that is crucial to consider. You want to choose a non-porous material to avoid the absorption of moisture to avoid issues like:
Added Weight: When a porous material absorbs water, it makes it heavier, which adds to the live load.
Freeze-Thaw Damage: When the absorbed water freezes, it expands inside the material, which leads to cracking, splitting, and other damage, which weakens the material and causes faster deterioration.
Ice Dam Formation: The moisture retention of porous material can contribute to the formation of ice dams, which can lead to structural damage.
Mold and Mildew: Porous materials retain moisture for long periods, especially during winter, when they are constantly exposed to snow. This constant moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which damages the roofing materials and seeps into your home, which can cause more damage and create health risks.
Durability
The best roof for heavy snow will provide high durability. Beyond supporting the weight of the snow, it also needs to be resistant to the freeze-thaw cycle that can damage many materials. You also want an impact-resistant roof capable of withstanding high winds that can come with snow storms.
Insulating
With how cold winters can get, having a warm house is essential, but an uninsulated roof or one that has poor heat retention can result in heat loss. This can make your heating system work harder to maintain a comfortable environment, which results in higher utility bills.
Longevity
Over time, snow and ice begin to wear down on roofing materials like all elements. To get the most out of it, you need to choose a material known for its longevity, which also plays into durability; a durable material will offer better longevity.
The Best Roof Shapes for Snowy Climates
While choosing the best roofing material for heavy snow is vital, you also want to choose the best roof shape and pitch. If you want to avoid snow sitting on your roof, which adds extra weight, the best way to do that is with a steeply pitched roof, which will allow the snow to slide off. Ideally, it should have a pitch of 40º or more.
The best roof for snow load in terms of shape would be a gable roof, which works well with steep sides. This includes A-frame homes and multi-span gable roofs.
Finding the Best Roof for Snow
Choosing the best roofing material for heavy snow and cold climates is vital for protecting your home from the cold, snowy weather. It will also help to insulate your home better, and help to ensure that the heat stays inside where it belongs, which will, in turn, reduce your utility bills.
Fiberglass Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing options because of their price and availability. They can work well in any climate, including cold, snowy climates. There are different types of asphalt shingles, and architectural shingles (or dimensional shingles) are the best option for the best protection, though they will cost a little more than traditional asphalt shingles. While they are still the most affordable option and great for homeowners on a budget, they don't provide the best longevity.
Pros
Asphalt shingles are-effective, they offer a classic look, and are easy to install, and affordable. Architectural shingles can also withstand winds between 110 mph and 130 mph.
Cons
They require frequent repairs, and offer a lifespan of up to 30 years––shorter than other options on this list. High winds can still cause damage, and they do not prevent ice dams.
Metal Roofing
Metal is considered the best roof for snow for a few reasons. It is a lightweight, highly durable material with high wind resistance. You can get metal roofing as sheets or shingles, though sheet roofing is best for snowy climates. Metal roofs can last up to 40 years when properly installed. However, a metal roof typically doesn't offer any insulation or heat retention, which will result in higher utility bills if you don't take steps to remedy this.
Pros
Metal roofing is high-wind resistant, up to 140 mph. It is lightweight to eliminate load capacity concerns. It can last up to 40 years or more with proper maintenance.
Cons
Some metals can be prone to rusting. You must get one with an insulated back or install the insulation yourself. It is more expensive than asphalt shingles.
Slate Tiles
Slate is a beautiful option with many qualities, which makes it one of the best roofing materials for cold climates. It can withstand even the harshest of winters and winds up to 160 mph. It is also a dense material, which gives it substantial insulating qualities and helps to keep heat inside.
Unfortunately, it is expensive and incredibly heavy and may require you to reinforce your home's structure.
Pros
Slate is extremely durable and wind and freeze-thaw cycle resistant, it insulates and retains heat, offers great aesthetics, and has a lifespan of 50 to 100 years or more.
Cons
Slate is also extremely heavy and expensive. The weight can also pull them down on a steep roof, which can lead them to fall and break. Individual pieces are fragile and prone to breaking.
Synthetic Roof Tiles
Finally, there are synthetic or composite roof tiles. They are considered the best roofing materials for heavy snow for many reasons. Synthetic tiles are typically made from compressed recycled plastics and other materials, which makes them incredibly lightweight and durable.
Depending on the installation method, they can withstand the harshest conditions, with Class 4 impact ratings and the ability to withstand winds from 188 to 211 mph. In addition, synthetic tiles are resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and are incredibly insulating, which helps to make your home more energy efficient.
Pros
Synthetic tiles are highly wind resistant, resistant to freeze-thaw cycles, lightweight, easy to install, and they are available in various styles and colors. Synthetic tiles are also environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and virtually maintenance-free.
Cons
Synthetic tiles are a more expensive option.
Brava Tiles for Snowy Climates
Synthetic roof tiles are the best roofing material for snow but they aren't all made equal. When you want the best roof for heavy snow, choose Brava Roofing Tiles, the perfect solution for every climate! It offers all the advantages above and more, like Class 4 impact and Class A fire ratings, the highest ratings that materials can receive.
A Style for Everyone
1. Cedar Shakes
Brava's cedar shakes are molded from real hand-split cedar shakes, and, as a result, each shake is slightly different from the last, including in thickness, which further adds to the authentic look. They come in 14 color varieties, and with all styles, you also have the option to choose a custom color. With Brava synthetic cedar shakes, you can get that classic, rustic look without the maintenance requirements and moisture concerns.
2. Old World Slate
Slate is a beautiful roofing option, but the cost and weight are not ideal. Brava's Old World Slate allows homeowners to get the look of slate without adding excessive weight and taking from the live load capacity. The tiles are available in 12" wide standard slate and 6", 9", and 12" multi-width slate sizes with 12 color options.
3. Spanish Barrel
Spanish barrel tiles are well-loved for homes, but, like slate, their weight and cost make them nothing more than a dream for many. Brava's barrel tiles change this by offering a lightweight, realistic option with 15 colors.
Choose Brava for the Best Roof for Heavy Snow
When you want the best roofing material for cold, snowy climates and heavy snow, there is nothing better than Brava. Brava roofing tiles provide superior durability and are extremely lightweight, which adds significantly less weight to the structure compared to other materials. This means you'll have a larger live load capacity, to eliminate concerns about snow's weight.
You won't have to worry about water or wind damage; no matter how harsh the winter, Brava tiles will hold strong, to protect your home and ensure that you and your family stay warm inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about roofs in snowy climates:
What materials should be avoided in cold climates?
You want to avoid porous roofing materials, including options like wood shakes, clay tiles, and concrete. While these all can take some moisture, exposure to snow for long periods will lead to damage, including cracks, leaks, mold, mildew, and more.
Does the roof pitch affect roofing materials?
Yes, steeper pitched roofs can be more difficult to install roofing on. They also cannot support the weight of heavier materials like slate; tiles will be weighed down and come off the roof, which can create damage.
What if a roof has a less steep pitch?
Anything with less than a 40º slope will have a harder time shedding snow. This means snow will sit on the roof until removed manually, or it melts, which creates extra weight and can damage materials like asphalt shingles.
Is insulation necessary?
Making sure that your home and attic are sufficiently insulated is crucial to minimizing heat loss. Without insulation, heat can escape, which will cause your systems to work harder to compensate for the loss and lead to higher utility bills.
Contact Brava today to learn more about our synthetic roofing tiles and how they are the best option for cold, snowy climates. You can also request samples to see and feel the materials yourself.
Get Inspired - Click Here to Order Your Complimentary Lookbook.
