With winter temperatures in North Dakota frequently plunging below zero, it’s vital that your home’s roof be able to withstand those harsh and brutal cold months. Your home is your refuge, and it’s understandable that you want it to protect your family and belongings as best as possible while maintaining comfort and energy efficiency.
Some roofing materials are better suited to cold climates than others. Here’s a look at which ones are best for North Dakota homes.
Metal Roofing
Metal is one of the most durable roofing materials because it does a good job of standing up to harsh winter climates. Since ice and snow easily slide off metal roofs, ice dams rarely form. Plus, metal resists windstorm damage, sometimes lasting up to 60 years or more with good care. However, metal can form rust over time depending on the type of metal you choose.
Slate Roofing
Slate is also a good cold climate roofing option. It possesses strong insulating properties, making it ideal for withstanding blizzards, ice storms, wind and more. Because they’re good for use on sloped roofs, they handle snowfall very well. With proper care, slate roofs can last between 50 and 100 years. On the down side, slate is very heavy and as a result, your home may require retrofitting to handle the extra weight.
Synthetic Slate Shingles
Synthetic slate can perform well in a range of temperatures, windstorms, cold snaps, and blizzards. This energy efficient material is even more durable than real slate. However, synthetic slate shingles are relatively new, and the 50-year warranties have not been put to the test yet. Also due to its newness, synthetic slate can be difficult to find in some areas.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt is a much lighter material than slate and is a more affordable option. Some asphalt shingles feature wind ratings of up to 130 mph, but standard shingles are only rated for 60 mph. Asphalt shingles are attractive, affordable, and come in a wide range of styles and colors. Asphalt shingles may wear out faster than other materials and require more frequent repairs and replacements.
Clay Tiles
Clay is a good insulator that can stand up well to ice and snow. While clay roofs are good for cold climates in general, they don’t do as well in extremely cold or brutal winter environments. That’s because this material is very fragile. It does have a charming aesthetic (especially when installed on Mediterranean-style homes) and it’s relatively affordable.
However, clay is very heavy and your roof may need to be reinforced before this material is added.
Concrete Roofs
You may not think concrete roofs would be an ideal roofing material designed for cold climates, especially places that experience extreme winters. But you can invest in specialized concrete roofing products that handle the rigors of extreme cold quite well. However, high-end concrete is expensive and can get heavy when absorbing water, ice and snow. In addition to the possibility of cracks in the roofing tiles themselves, structural damage to the roof could occur.
Contact Allstar Construction for Roofing
If you need advice on the best roofing materials heading into this winter in North Dakota, get an online quote and consultation from our experienced roofers. We would be happy to provide an inspection and suggest the best solution for you.
