When it comes to roofing, many homeowners have questions about prices. While it’s important to find a material that fits within your budget, it’s equally important to consider the climate in which you reside.
Do you live in an area prone to snow and ice? If so, you want the protection of a stone-coated metal roof over your head. While conventional roofing materials like asphalt are cheaper, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for in the long-term. Metal roofing has a lifespan that is two-three times longer than traditional roofing materials like asphalt, tile, and wood.
If you seem to have frequent roofing problems when the winter season sets in, you should consider upgrading to a metal roof.
It Can be Installed Close to Winter
Most roofing systems are ideally installed during late spring to early fall for many reasons: there’s less chance of rain, supply lines are less likely to get delayed and it doesn’t cause much conflict with homeowners’ schedules. Certain roofing materials also need to be installed within a certain range of temperatures. For example, asphalt shingles can’t be installed during cold seasons because the backing material can become too brittle.
Metal roofing doesn’t have such problems, making it suitable for late-fall installation. A knowledgeable roofing contractor will, of course, select the proper decking, insulation, and underlayment to ensure no damage will be caused by the cold.
Metal Roofing is Lighter
Timing is an important part of roofing installation during cold days. If you were to switch from asphalt shingles to a heavier material like tile, the installation timeframe would be much longer. This is because the support structure may require additional reinforcement to support the new roof. Metal roofs are much lighter, which means, barring moisture damage and other kinds of structural damage, it can be installed over an existing roof structure.
It Efficiently Sheds Snow
Metal roofs have a smooth surface that is much more efficient at shedding snow, which reduces the need to remove snow from your roof in case of heavy snowfall. Combined with a heated gutter system, damage caused by increased roofing weight won’t be a problem during winter.
Metal Roofs are Energy Efficient
A properly designed and installed metal roof helps create an insulated barrier that prevents heat leaks during winter and helps you save on indoor heating costs. Additionally, reflective coatings can be applied to metal roofs, which can help reduce solar heat absorption. This feature can help you save on indoor cooling costs during the summer season.
There are several reasons for metal roof installation in such climates. Some of the most well-known are the following:
1. Durability
As one of the most durable roofing materials known to man, metal can withstand very cold climates. All roofing materials sustain damage after prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions, but it’s not unusual for metal roofs to last at least two times longer than other systems, particularly an asphalt shingle roof.
2. Superb Watertightness
With a proper underlayment beneath and quality sealants on the surface, a metal roof is more watertight than other choices like asphalt shingles. You can rest assured that your roof will keep its integrity even when it snows hard.
3. Vast Color Choices
There are so many color choices for metal roofs that you can select one that will help your roof shed snow more quickly. Dark colors like gray, brown and red are not as reflective as light colors. Dark colors retain more of the sun’s heat and energy. This can help thaw your roof faster.