Roofs have to deal with a lot of stress in places with tough winters. Not only do they have to provide a good barrier against cold and water, but they also have to sustain the weight of snow. Freezing and thawing cycles can also cause damage to a roof.

This is why you have to be very careful when choosing materials. If you make the wrong choice, you might end up with a major failure at the worst time possible or need to replace your roof much sooner than you should. Let’s look at which roofing materials are best for rough winters.

Slate
Slate is one of the best roofing materials for winter for several reasons. It can deal with virtually anything you throw at it, whether it’s powerful winds, hail, or heavy snow. It also has the benefit of looking great and being durable. A slate roof, when properly maintained, will last you for a good 50
to 100 years for thin slate shingles, and up to 200 years for heavy slate shingles.

With that being said, slate is not the best choice if you’re on a budget. If money is a big issue for you, we suggest you check out this page explaining the different types of shingles by Rock Solid Exteriors. This will give you an idea of which ones would be the best for your budget and needs.

Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is another great material for cold winters. The best thing about a metal roof is that snow will simply not be able to accumulate. Snow accumulation can be a big issue with certain roof types and can lead to failure if you have repeated days of heavy snowfall. Metal roofs can also
handle heavy winds like it’s nothing.

Metal roofs aren’t perfect, however. For one, they can get quite cold and will require additional insulation. They are also prone to denting, so, if you get a lot of hail where you are, they might not be the best option.

Asphalt
Asphalt may not be the best material for winter, but it’ll do the trick if you’re on a budget and don’t have to deal with heavy ice formation. If you do have to deal with extreme colds, however, then ice can become a serious issue and you will need some additional protection to make sure that it does
not penetrate under the shingles.

Asphalt is not the best water repellant either, so you may have to deal with leaks more often than you wish. If you want to get the best results possible, pay a little more for architectural asphalt. If you can’t, then be prepared to have to replace your roof sooner than the usual 15 to 30 years.

These are some of the best roofing materials for anyone living in a rough winter climate. Take your time to look at the pros and cons of each and don’t be afraid to ask your roofing contractor if they have other alternatives.