In many ways, the roof can be seen as the most critical part of your home, with the primary job of shielding you from the elements. However, your roof may not provide optimal protection without the right shingles.
In areas such as Canada, different areas and climates often have different needs for roof shingles; in other words, what may work for one location may not work well for another.
That is why, when considering a new roof, you must take the time to consider the climate of where you live. Here’s how to find the best roof shingles for Canada homes.
Canadian Climate Considerations
Canada's climate can vary greatly depending on where you live. Overall, the country typically experiences extremes: extreme cold, extreme dryness, and extreme heat every year.
Canadian summers come with sweltering heat, which can strain many roofing materials. Thermal expansion can also affect materials, causing them to contract and expand as temperatures fluctuate, leading to brittleness and cracking, especially in areas like Ontario that have drastic day-to-day temperature changes. This heat can also cause the color to fade on some roofing materials.
Winter brings long, harsh winters with freezing temperatures and mounds of snow that can remain on your roof for weeks. This puts a strain on the structure and can create moisture and leakage concerns, especially once the snow begins to melt, which can lead to mold growth on some materials. These freezing winter temperatures also create ice dams, which can cause further damage.
Heavy rains can also pose issues, particularly leaks and pooling, depending on the shape and style of the roof. Depending on the material, pooling can lead to mold, mildew, and algae.
Wind is another consideration, with strong storm winds capable of tearing or removing shingles. This can leave the roof more susceptible to damage from the elements, leading to more costly repairs.
Signs it's Time to Replace Your Roof
Determining if your roof needs replacing isn't always an easy task. As a homeowner, you don't necessarily know what to look for and can't see much from the ground. Ideally, you want to hire a roofing professional to inspect your roof regularly to ensure you catch problems before they become serious.
Signs that indicate your roof needs to be repaired or replaced include:
Shingles or roof tiles that are cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged. The damaged materials should be replaced or sealed as soon as possible.
Shingles or roof tiles are missing completely. Missing materials leave your roof vulnerable to moisture, which can cause serious damage to the roof decking and surrounding shingles or tiles. Replacing these missing materials is vital.
Changes in the coloring can signify that a roofing material is weathering and aging and requires replacement. Asphalt shingles will also lose their granule coating as they age, which is a large signifier they need replacing.
Water stains on your ceiling can be a sign there is a leak on your roof
Qualities of the Best Roof Shingles in Canada
These are some of the top qualities to look for when considering new roof shingles for your home.
Durability: Beyond the weather resistance, durability is vital. A material should be able to last for many decades without suffering severe damage.
Insulation: A material that offers insulating properties will help maintain temperatures regardless of the season. It will also help to lower your energy bill.
Sustainability: Products that are eco-friendly and made from recycled or renewable materials help keep waste out of landfills by allowing you to recycle them at the end of the roof's lifespan.
Color Availability: Products that have more color options allow you to choose a color that fits your style better. It also allows for more customization, combining colors for a unique design.
Ease of Installation: You don't want a material that has a complicated installation process. The easier it is, the quicker the process can go, giving you your home back and saving you money on labor costs.
Building Code Requirements: According to the Canadian building code, roof materials must withstand Canada's variable weather. They must also have fire resistance, be eco-friendly, and offer insulation.
Choosing the Right Color Shingles
Quality roof shingles come in a wide range of colors, allowing you to customize your home's look. The color you choose can depend on factors like your personal preference and the climate where you live. For Canadian homes, you want to consider your choices carefully. While the weather varies depending on the season, much of the year is cold.
These long, cold winters mean that dark-colored roofs are a better option. These roofs will absorb UV rays and transfer them into heat, helping to warm your home. This makes options like black and brown incredibly popular, though grays are another to consider.
Roofing Options to Consider
There are many roofing materials on the market. These include:
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material across North America. It is suitable for virtually every climate and is available in various styles, colors, and patterns.
The downside to asphalt shingles is that they aren't the most durable option, can become brittle as they age, and are vulnerable to cracking, which creates a possibility of roof leaks. Asphalt is also susceptible to mold, mildew, and algae growth and isn't eco-friendly.
Vinyl Shingles
Vinyl shingles are another affordable option, with more unique options than asphalt. They can take on the appearance of other materials like cedar shakes or half-round shingles. These shingles are easy to clean, and the color goes all the way through the shingle. While this coloring ensures they won't chip or flake, they will fade over time.
Vinyl shingles are fragile and prone to cracks, especially in places where the climate and temperature fluctuate. They also do not stand up well to impact from hail or other debris.
Natural Cedar Shakes and Shingles
Cedar shakes are a beautiful option for a more natural appearance. While beautiful and fairly durable, they are expensive, require a great deal of maintenance, and are heavy. They also aren't allowed in many areas due to building codes.
Traditional Slate Tiles
Slate is another beautiful natural material that makes for good roof shingles in Canada. It is fairly durable and fire-resistant, with a long life expectancy. Despite its durability, it is still prone to chipping and flaking over time and is extremely heavy and expensive. Installation, repair, and maintenance are all better left to professionals.
Clay Roofing Tiles
Clay roof tiles also offer durability and a long life expectancy. But, like cedar shakes and slate, they are heavy and expensive and require professional installation by a qualified roofer.
The Best Roof Shingles for Canada Homes
As stated before, roofs in Canada need to be durable and weather-resistant, withstanding the various weather conditions that come with living in Canada. They also need to be fire-rated.
Brava Roofing Tiles offers all of this—and more—with their three composite roofing product lines: Cedar Shakes, Old World Slate, and Spanish Barrel Tiles.
All three are the perfect options for Canadian homes, meeting all the requirements and offering various colors and custom combinations.
Brava Cedar Shakes
Brava's Cedar Shakes perfectly replicate the look of natural, hand-split cedar shakes, right down to the color variations that mimic the look of weathered cedar. With nine nature-inspired colors, you won't find a more authentic, versatile composite cedar shake on the market.
Brava Old World Slate
Similar to Brava's cedar shakes, Old World Slate perfectly replicates the look of natural slate. Brava's slate tiles capture the nuances in the coloring you find in the natural product, creating a stunning multi-toned material that is even more durable than real slate.
Brava's Spanish Barrel Tile
The composite Spanish Barrel Tiles replicate that traditional barrel tile look found in Mediterranean-style homes. They come in a variety of rich, earthy tones that make it possible to fit any home exterior.
Design Ideas Using Brava
Brava allows you to mix and match color options, which can make for a unique roof that fits your personality. Some design ideas to consider include:
1. Create Contrast Between Roof and Dormers
Choosing a secondary accent for your roofs can also help make the dormers of your home stand out rather than have them blend in and get lost in the roof. In fact, the contrast doesn't have to be significant—even a subtle difference can make a statement.
2. Choose a Pop of Color
While blacks, browns, and grays are some of the best shingle roof colors, you shouldn’t limit yourself to those options. Try choosing something with color to help your roof "pop.” Why not let it be a focal point of your home’s exterior. Keep in mind: it doesn’t have to be a bright, starking difference. Just make sure you’re able to give your home some personality.
4. Keep it Simple
Sometimes, simple is better. Many Canadian home owners decide to choose a light brown or grey color for their shingle roof—and there’s nothing wrong with that! The best exterior home design often is driven by simplicity. That fact that you’re using Brava roof tiles already separates you from others—and only in the best of ways.
5. Match Your Siding
Matching your shingle roof color to your siding helps you create a sleek monochromatic—yet also dramatic—appearance. Unlike other homes that have contrast differences between the siding and roof, you can choose to have your stanley bolding amongst others with matching colors.
Build with Brava: Offering Canadians the Best Home Protection
If you are a Canadian homeowner who wants to protect their home, the best shingles for Canadian homes come in the form of Brava Roof Tiles.
Just remember: by choosing to build with Brava, you're choosing to protect your home and make it look beautiful for years to come.
Contact Brava today to learn more and request a quote, or begin planning your new roof.
