It’s a known fact that if you live in Colorado you’re going to have to deal with snow and ice. This article will briefly describe popular types of roofing materials in Colorado and how they stand up against Mother Nature’s winter worst.
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material seen in the west and the United States as a whole. Around three quarters or homes use asphalt shingles, and there is a reason, low-cost, customizable and easy to maintain. But how do they stand up against a Colorado winter?
Snow likes to stick to asphalt shingles because of the granules on the surface. This is usually not a problem but in worst case scenarios can lead to structural damage if the roof is overloaded. This is unlikely but should be considered for Colorado residents most likely to receive excessive accumulation.
Ice dams, deposits of ice on roof runoffs such as eaves and gutters, are more likely to occur on roofs that hold onto snow. Ice dams can cause damage to the roof and lead to leaks inside of your house. Laminated or premium asphalt shingles are a smarter choice for Colorado, they are thicker and better constructed to stand up against driving snow and ice.
Overall asphalt shingles are a good choice for all their benefits but homeowners in parts of Colorado that receive heavy accumulation and frequent winter storms might want to consider something more substantial.
Another popular option in the Rocky Mountain region are wooden shakes and shingles. These are cut from cedar and have a great rustic character that many homeowners favor. But how do they stand up against winter precipitation? Cedar itself contains many natural preservatives that repel moisture so snow and ice are less likely to accumulate on wooden roofs. Moisture that is absorbed causes the wood to expand, creating a very tight barrier against leaks.
They have strong wind resistance that can withstand blizzards and can endure the impact of large hail stones. Temperature fluctuations have been known to make some lower quality shakes split and crack so it’s advisable to check your roof after severe winter weather. If you are considering wooden shakes be aware that they are susceptible to fire damage and some wildfire prone areas have outlawed them altogether. Cedar is an excellent choice for Colorado if wildfires are not a risk factor.
Slate is an excellent, albeit very expensive, choice against all that winter can throw at your roof. The smooth surface allows snow and ice to run off protecting against leaks. It is excellent at repelling high winds as well. Be wary as large hail stones have the potential to crack slate tiles leading to costly repairs.
Concrete or clay tiles are another smart choice when it comes to protecting your home. They capture some of the same aesthetics as slate without the large price tag. Similarly to slate they repel moisture and tend to not accumulate precipitation. Temperature extremes and wind are less likely to affect tile roofs due to their tough composition.
Both slate and tiles are great option for severe winter weather if the price is an option.
We hope this article helped give you a good overview of common roofing materials and how they stand up against the Colorado Winter. Contact Roofcorp for more in depth information and to talk to one of our roofing experts today.
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