In the Pacific Northwest, we don’t get the kind of wintery weather that plagues the upper Midwest or the Northeast. Still, when the cold air comes blowing down the Columbia River Gorge or the snow starts falling in the coast range, things can get icy in a hurry.
With traditional roofing, this could be an issue. Because temperatures can hover right around freezing, snow and ice can thaw, refreeze, and thaw again. This leads to ice dams forming on the roofing material. Over an extended period of time, ice dams can create a lot of problems.
As the ice buildup slowly melts and starts slowly running down the roof, it can refreeze again before reaching the gutters. The ice that didn’t melt can hold the water in place, forcing it under the shingles. When it refreezes, it expands, lifting the shingle. As the cycle continues, the gap gets bigger, allowing more water in.
Getting the snow off your roof is the first step in preventing ice dams, but for two-story homes, climbing around on a snow-covered roof can be a precarious situation. That’s the kind of job that may be best left to roofing maintenance professionals.
Metal Roofing Advantages
As we said before, months of freezing temperatures are rare in our neck of the woods. On those rare occasions when the snow begins to pile up, asphalt or composition shingles tend to hold on to the snow. With standing-seam metal roofs, any accumulation tends to slide off with just a little bit of warm air.
Why is that important? For one, the snow we do receive tends to be wetter and heavier than other areas of the country. This means the roofing structure itself, including trusses and the roof deck, could be under more stress than permitted for. It also means an unexpected load of snow won’t land on any visitors – or yourself.
In homes with poor sealing and insulation in the attic space, this is a very real possibility. As the heat from the home rises and escapes through the attic, the snow underneath will melt. Once the underneath snow melts, it could all come crashing down.
There are products that will prevent this, such as snow guards, they are quite uncommon in our area. If snow gathering on the roof is a concern, there are extendable brooms made to reach the roof as well as wiring specifically made to shed snow from up on top.
Is It Time For A Metal Roof?
Do you dread the winter season because of the issues it causes to your roof? Depending on the age of your roof, perhaps it’s time to look at installing aluminum shingles, cedar profile aluminum shakes, or aluminum standing seam roofing.
Even if your home is close to the valley floor and you don’t see a lot of snow, there are several other benefits to having an aluminum roof installed:
Longevity
Mountaintop Metal Roofing uses PermaLock products for every roofing installation. These products are made to keep their color for decades and to last a century. While composite roofing is being replaced two or three times, our roofing will still be strong.
Tough
Although we don’t have the brutally cold weather, we still enjoy all four seasons of weather in the Pacific Northwest. Rain, heat, high winds, and more. Our roofing is made to withstand winds of up to 160 mph and will stay in place while traditional shingles are blown through the air.
Curb Appeal
With several different profiles, including slate, wood grain, cedar shake, and more, we have aluminum roofing for every style of home. With hundreds of colors and finishes to choose from, PermaLock roofing will give your home an immediate facelift.
Energy Efficiency
How many roofing products actually make you money every summer? By reflecting the sun’s UV rays, aluminum roofing reduces your cooling bills by up to 30 percent. That’s long-term savings for a one-time installation!
But no matter how nice a roof looks, it won’t be worth much if it’s not installed correctly. At Mountaintop Metal Roofing, that’s all we do. Our crew has more than 20 years of experience with metal roofing, that’s why we offer a lifetime, non-prorated, transferable warranty on every job.
Our home is the largest investment most of us will ever make. Why not protect it? Whether you’ll be in the family home for decades – or remodeling your forever home – contact Mountaintop Metal Roofing for an estimate. We’ll do it one, we’ll do it right, and you’ll enjoy it for as long as you own the home.