Why Weather is Important When Choosing Your Roof

Many times, when a person needs a new roof they have two things in mind: the price and the color. However, it is equally as important to consider the type of weather where you live and what material would best suit the situation. 

Heavy Winds

Heavy winds are especially bad on a roof when light asphalt shingles are used. Actual high wind resistance also involves the method of installation. In order to receive the most wind resistance on a roof, it is important that the entire assembly is geared toward this purpose. This begins with the structural deck and includes the insulation/board layers, the membrane and the surface covering. Flat roofs are often the best in this kind of situation as long as they are insulated properly with an EPDM or TPO membrane and there typically isn’t large amounts of precipitation to create ponding.

If you live in a high wind area always check the specifications of the roofing materials you choose as well as the manufacturer and installation warranties. While lightweight asphalt shingles are cheaper, they usually need costly repairs when exposed to this type of weather. More durable, quality shingles are able to withstand these harsh winds, especially when installed and secured properly by roofing professionals. Another option would be metal roofing as they are much less moving parts and as long as they are installed properly by a professional, are much more resilient in windy conditions.

Snow

Each year finds various parts of the country exposed to snow. This may be a heavy load of snow that stays on the roof for a very long period of time or just a small amount that melts off quickly. If the roof slope is low, metal roofing is preferred as it makes the snow easier to handle. They typically allow for snow and water shedding due to their material and help prevent and protect against water ponding and damage. With steeped sloped roofs, roughly textured roofing is preferred as it holds the snow in place rather than allowing it to slide off and injure someone.

It is extremely important that proper insulation and roof ventilation be in place with such a roof. This will minimize the formation of an ice dam. It is also possible to install snow melt systems, or heat tape, to minimize ice accumulating in valleys or on eaves. Regardless of they type of roof chosen for snowy areas, it is important to have plans in place to prevent snow from lingering and staying on top of your roof to prevent damage. Whether the roof is designed to shed the snow naturally or it requires a more manual approach, its a good idea to have a snow removal professional take a look as soon as possible after extreme snow storms or even when you see or notice that the snow isn’t budging.

Heat

Many parts of the country are exposed to extreme UV sun exposure during the summer months. This can cause high energy bills, which makes it well worth a good roof to avoid this expense. In addition, extreme heat can cause extensive damage to the roof materials. Both metal roofs and shingles with acrylic coatings are ideal candidates in these environments as they help to reflect UV rays away form the house and keep the inside cooler.