Don’t get iced out with the wrong roofing material
While you’re staying warm and cozy inside by the fire on a snowy day, your roof is working overtime to keep your home protected from the elements. Homeowners in cold climates need to choose roofing materials that can stand up to the ice, snow, and wind that harsh winters can bring.
Learn about six of the most common roofing materials and which ones hold up best in cold, snowy climates.
| Type of Material | Average Material Cost (per sq. ft.) |
|---|---|
| Metal | $5–$25 |
| Slate | $10–$40 |
| Synthetic Slate Shingles | $7–$12 |
| Asphalt Shingles | $4–$25 |
| Clay Tiles | $4–$25 |
| Concrete | $4–$10 |
Metal roofing materials stand up exceptionally well in harsh winter climates. Snow and ice should slide right off a residential metal roof, preventing the formation of ice dams. They also do a great job at resisting damage due to windstorms, thanks to the increased durability of most metals. And it's worth mentioning that they can last up to 60 years.
"Metal roofing is great for snow prone homes because metal conducts heat really well, meaning it can warm up faster and melt the snow on top of it more quickly."
— Korey Gregory - Construction Supervisor at ASAP Restoration LLC
Be sure to install a snow guard if you opt for a metal roof to prevent ice from pooling on walkways beneath it. Rust is also a common problem with metal roofs, depending on the materials used during construction. Also, metal roofs require additional insulation for colder-than-average climates. Otherwise, your home's heating system will work harder, and you'll find an unpleasant surprise when you open your utility bill. Silver lining—the reverse is true in the summer when metal roofs keep your home cool.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly wind-resistant | Prone to rust |
| Prevents ice dams | Require additional insulation |
| Long life span | May cause ice formation on the ground |
Best for: Homes in areas that regularly experience high winds
Slate is an excellent roofing material for winter. Slate roofs offer superior insulation, are strong enough to withstand blizzard-like conditions, and offer decent durability. Slate tiles excel on sloped roofs, making them a popular option in states like Colorado and Minnesota that get plenty of snow.
Many homes simply can’t handle the extra weight of a slate roof without extensive retrofitting, which drives the material’s already high price upward. Also, slate will last an impressive 50 to 100 years. However, individual pieces of the stone are fragile and prone to breaking underfoot if you ever need to address a problem on your roof. Broken slate roofing tiles are expensive to repair.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for sloped roofs | Roof structure may need added support |
| Provide added insulation | Expensive |
| Great in high winds and heavy snow | Prone to breaking |
Best for: Homes in areas that are not prone to high winds that may cause impact damage
Synthetic slate shingles are an up-and-coming roofing option that offers all of the advantages of traditional slate tiles with some added bonuses. Just like real slate, synthetic slate handles extreme temperatures in either direction and is strong enough to withstand windstorms and blizzards. Synthetic slate is more durable than actual slate and offers similar aesthetics. This roofing material is energy efficient.
Synthetic slate roofing in its current form is a relatively new building material; therefore, some mystery remains about its long-term performance. However, manufacturers express confidence by providing up to 50-year warranties on the product.
Although some types imitate natural stone quite well, synthetic slate isn’t real, and some styles on the market have an artificial appearance. Take time while shopping around to balance appearance qualities against price. Keep in mind that this unique material is not always readily available in most locations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | May look artificial |
| More durable than slate | Can be challenging to source |
| Energy-efficient | Unproven long-term performance |
Best for: Homeowners who like the look of slate roofing but want a lower cost or more protection from impact damage
Asphalt is light and comes in a near-universal 3-tab design, which has a lower-end wind rating of 60 mph. A dimensional asphalt shingle costs a bit more but has a wind rating of between 110 and 130 mph. One bonus—these types of shingles tend to be more aesthetically appealing. One downside to asphalt shingles is that they wear out over time and often require frequent repairs. Additionally, asphalt may not do well with heavy winds from a blizzard, as the shingles could blow off the roof (though many shingles come with warranties).
“Shingles are not waterproof and are prone to ice dams. Ice dams trap moisture and force water to run uphill, which it was not meant to do,” says Ami Feller, Expert Review Board Member and owner of Roofer Chicks in New Braunfels, TX. “When using shingles in cold climates, it is code to install ice and water shields along the eaves and in the valleys, where ice dams are most prone to form. This lowers the risk of water penetrating the structure.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective | Require frequent repairs |
| Classic aesthetics | Prone to wind damage |
| Easy to install | Do not prevent ice dams |
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners in areas without frequent high winds
Clay is an excellent insulator and can stand up to snow and ice. However, the material is relatively fragile and may not do well with extreme wind or an intense hailstorm. Still, clay is an attractive choice for those going for a classic Spanish or Mediterranean architectural style.
Clay is another roofing material that is heavy enough that some homes may require retrofitting to handle the additional weight of the material. Installation can be tricky, especially on roofs with numerous angles and valleys to protect, so you’ll want to hire a local roofer with experience with clay roofs. Although clay roofs are durable, if repair becomes necessary, walking on them without extra care can damage individual tiles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective | May break in extreme wind or hail |
| Excellent insulator | Requires additional structural support |
| Durable | Difficult to install |
Best for: Homes in climates that don’t get frequent hail or high winds
Concrete roofing tiles are not the best choice for areas that experience rapid freeze-thaw cycles and extreme winters, especially in higher elevations. However, you can ask a local pro about specialized concrete roofing products that are purpose-built for cold climate use.
Concrete tiles are heavy, and they have a high water absorption rate of around 13%. Ice and snow absorb into these heavy tiles and put added pressure onto the structure of your roof. The end result? Cracked roofing tiles and structural damage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | High water absorption rate |
| Long life span in ideal conditions | Can crack |
| Good thermal insulator | Adds weight to roof |
Best for: Homes in areas without extreme winter conditions or rapid temperature fluctuations
Determining the best roof for your cold-climate house boils down to a few competing factors—performance and price. Overall, metal roofing is arguably the best overall choice when taking both factors into consideration. It’s lightweight, cost-effective, and sheds snow and ice quickly, preventing ice dams that can damage your home and icicle formation that can endanger passers-by.
A metal roof is a great choice if you live in an area with a lot of winter weather. Metal roofing stands up particularly well against heavy snowfall, hail, ice, and strong winds.
Slate roofs may perform very well over the long term, but their high price tag and need for additional structural support can put them out of budget for many homeowners. If cost savings is your primary deciding factor, asphalt shingles offer solid performance at an affordable price, as long as you can keep up with maintenance.
You can replace a roof in the winter, though it’s not the most popular time to do so. The biggest drawback of winter roofing work is the weather. Snow and ice make for dangerous, slippery working conditions. Plus, shingles can only be installed in temperatures above 40 to 45 degrees.
The best time to replace a roof is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild. However, you can likely save some money by booking the job in the winter off-season, when roofers have more availability.
The most common slope range for roofs on houses in snowy areas is between 4/12 and 6/12, or 50%. A roof with a slope of less than 10%, or roughly a 2/12 pitch, won’t be effective at shedding snow. However, roofs that are too steep can allow large amounts of snow to build up and fall all at once, creating a hazard for those on the ground.
How much snow a roof can handle depends on the snow’s weight and the roof's strength. Wet snow is far heavier than dry snow. In areas that receive annual snowfall in abundance, house designs regularly allow for between 35 and 50 pounds per square foot, equating to up to four feet of fluffy-snow accumulation.
