Preparing Your Roof For Cold Weather

Now that it’s officially fall, it’s time to look ahead to the coming season and make sure your home is prepared. Long snowy winters have always been notorious for plaguing homeowners with leaks and cave-ins. Whether these incidents occur due to natural exposure to the elements or flaws in the design or construction of the roof, the effects can be both disastrous and expensive. This is why it is important to work with reputable contractors who are professionally trained to address problems related to heavy ice and snowfall. Luckily, there have been great advances in the overall performance and efficiency of residential roofing materials over the years, making roof installation less stressful than ever before.

Currently, one of the most popular materials used by roofing contractors in snowy regions is metal. Although different types of metal may vary in terms of cost and durability, the general properties of this material make it highly weather resistant, a desirable quality in colder climates. For example, the ability of metal to act as a natural show-shedding system often results in little to no maintenance of your roof even in the coldest of winters.

Unfortunately, investing in a metal roof does not mean that heavy snowfall is no longer a concern. Residential roofing materials of any type are still subject to snow and ice damage, requiring professionals to strike a delicate balance between quality materials and practical design elements. As a matter of fact, both metal and traditional asphalt roofs can still accumulate dangerous amounts of snow, making adequate structural elements an integral aspect of roof installation.

In order to determine how much snow your roof can safely hold, be sure to consider the varying weights of snow as well as the design of your roof. In most cases, amounts exceeding twenty-five pounds per square foot are considered dangerous and could warrant preventative measures such as snow removal.

Prevent excessive snow and ice from ruining your roof. Contact us at Elite Roofing to find out how residential roofing materials can improve the safety of your home this winter. For pricing information click here for a quote.