Tile Roofs Work Well In Snowy Climates
When you think of a tile roof, you might picture orange-brown terra cotta tile on a beach-front home. For years, this is where you saw most tile roofs in beachy areas where the tile was necessary to protect against high winds and heavy rains. However, tile roofs have become more widespread over the past decade or two. Roofers are now, more regularly, installing tile roofs in snowy and cold climates. And they work incredibly well! Here are a few reasons why tile roofs are well suited to snowy climates.
They can withstand the snow load.
Snow can get pretty heavy, especially when it melts, re-freezes, and becomes compacted. Weaker roof materials may crack and suffer damage under such a snow load. However, tile is a really strong material and is unlikely to be bothered by heavy snow. You won't have to be as worried about raking snow off the roof with a tile roof.
They don't get pried up by ice dams.
Ice dams are those thick sheets of ice that sometimes form on the edge of a roof. They can work their way under shingles, prying them off the roof deck. Then, you get leaks along the edge of your shingle roof! Ice dams are not a big concern with tile roofs because the ice is not strong enough to pop the tiles off the roof deck. The tiles are too heavy for this to occur.
They are good insulators.
When it's snowy and cold outside, you want a roof that traps the heat inside your home. In other words, you want a roof that is a good insulator. Tile roofs are effective insulators. They can also be installed with rigid, sheet insulation under the tile, which blocks heat transfer even more effectively. You may notice a reduction in heating bills after having a tile roof installed.
They are not prone to moss growth.
In the spring when the snow melts, your roof will generally stay moist for an extended period. This can allow moss to grow on more porous roof materials, but tile is not porous enough for moss to take root in it. This saves you from having to spray the roof with herbicides or scrape the moss off of its surface.
If you live in a snowy climate, give tile roofs a second glance. They are not just for beach homes anymore, and roofers in snowy areas are beginning to install them more often.
To learn more, contact a roofing contractor in your area.
