If you are building a house in areas with heavy snowfall in winter, consider installing a roof house to withstand the pressure. If there is too much snow on the roof, your home can collapse, causing property damage or death. The best roof construction should allow snow or ice to melt quickly or slide off the roof without causing significant damage. A roofer with decades of experience building houses like https://www.roofmasterlubbock.com/ can help you design such roofs.
Before installing a roof in your home, consider the sturdiness and slope of your roof. This guide explains the basics of roofing that can withstand winter.
Factors to consider when designing a home that can withstand winter
If you live in a region with snowfall in winter, consider building a house that does not collect snow and rests on the roof.
Here are the factors to consider in order to come up with the best roof construction plans to withstand the winter.
- Types of roofing materials to be installed
- Roof angles (slopes) through which snow can slide off the roof
- Number of openings on the roof
Now let's look at how the three factors affect your roof design for the winter climate.
1. Types of roofing materials to be installed
Some roofing materials wear out faster in extremely snowy climates, which increases roof maintenance costs. For this reason, you should invest in a roofing material that can withstand winter and allow the snow to melt or slide easily. The best roofing materials for winter, when properly installed, should provide additional insulation for your home. You should also protect your home from the effects of cold, snowy weather. After all, the roofing material should offer little snow resistance. Here are some of the snow-friendly roofing materials that will withstand the winter.
Metal roofing materials
So far, metal is the best roofing material to withstand the devastating effects of snowfall. It has very little resistance to the snow, so the snow can slide off the roof faster when warmed by the sun. Roofing materials, which offer a lot of resistance to the accumulating snow, slow down the melting process. If the snow or water takes longer to run off the roof, there is a good chance it will freeze again and form an ice dam.
Pro tip: Since metal has an R-value of zero, a house with a metal roof will need additional insulation in a snowy climate. Otherwise, the energy costs can increase significantly.
Fiberglass asphalt shingles
An alternative roofing material that can withstand the snow in winter is fiberglass asphalt shingles. While these shingles aren't as smooth as a metal roofing material, they can still cause snow to melt and slide off the roof. The good news is that fiberglass asphalt shingles are less expensive than metal roofing materials. Plus, you don't need additional insulation as the asphalt shingles provide insulation that can help retain heat inside your home. Unfortunately, asphalt shingles have a shorter lifespan than most roofing materials. They may also not withstand strong winds up to 135 mph.
Slate roofing material
Slate has been a popular roofing material for many years due to its durability and stunning looks. Natural slate can last up to 100 years with good care. It works very well in extremely cold temperatures and can withstand winter. Another reason slate is a perfect roofing material is because it can withstand fire, hailstorms, and high winds up to 100 miles per hour. Slate is also best for pitched roofs, making it perfect for regions with lots of snow. Unfortunately, slate roofing materials are very expensive and heavy, and require additional structural support during installation.
Synthetic tiles
Another roofing material that can withstand winter is plastic tiles. They are extremely light and extremely durable, which makes them perfect roofing materials for residential and commercial properties. They can withstand wind speeds of up to 250 km / h. The good news is that synthetic tiles are also resistant to freeze and thaw cycles. Because of this, no ice or snow can damage your roof in any way. Their R-value is above 2.0 which makes them very energy efficient as they help insulate your home.
2. Roof angle / parking spaces
Roof angles can also influence whether a roof can withstand winter or not. Pitched roofs tend to structurally handle larger loads than flat roofs. If snow accumulates on a flat roof, it can collapse faster than a sloping roof due to the weight of the snow. During the constant freezing and thawing in winter, a sloping roof allows the melting ice to slide off the roof quickly. When the roof is flat, the melting snow is going nowhere. It will rest and freeze again to become a heavy block of ice under the snow. If you live in a region with a snowy climate, do not install a flat roof in your home. Instead, choose a steeper pitched roof that allows the snow to melt and slide off the roof. A simple gable roof works best. Complex roof structures with multiple angles and corners can also disrupt the melting flow of snow and ice on the roof.
3. Openings on the roof
Another factor that can affect your roof's resistance to winter is the number of openings on the roof. Each opening provides a chance for water from the melting ice to get into your home. Such openings include chimneys, skylights, and vents in the bathroom. If there are more openings on your roof, there is a good chance your roof will leak, especially if the materials that seal the openings are damaged. Check the roof openings more often to make sure they are in good condition.
last words
Choosing the right roofing materials that can withstand the winter can help maintain the structural integrity of your home. Install a roofing material that will withstand wind, ice, and snow without being damaged. If you don't know the load your roof can carry, you should work with a roofer to get some ideas on how to design roof houses.
