The Impact of Climate on Roof Wear and Tear

Hello World! Welcome Friends! Your home’s roof does far more than cover the top of your home. A roof is a protection to shelter and filter your home from dangerous debris, weather, temperatures, and more. Inadequate roofing material will not be sufficient for your home’s climate, making your home and family susceptible to injury or damage. Climates vary wildly from state to state and season to season. How can you be sure your roof is up to your location’s most challenging climate problems? It’s good to learn how temperatures and weather affect a roof and what materials are resistant to them.

Heat

Heat can be a danger for many types of roofing materials. Not only can heat warp or damage roofing tiles, but they can also present as a fire hazard if conditions are dry and materials aren’t fireproof or fire-resistant. Additionally, suppose a roof can’t reflect excess heat. In that case, warm temperatures can escape into a home and cause the air conditioning to run excessively, increasing bills and wear on the HVAC system. A light-colored roof can help reflect excess heat away from the home. Metal is incredibly resistant to heat and versatile in many different climates. Light-colored asphalt is an affordable option for many homeowners that can reflect heat well but may not hold up to extreme temperatures. Clay-barrel roofing is also heat-reflective when light in color and durable against high temperatures. Asphalt and timber can swell, crack, or even start fires in areas with triple temperatures, like Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and New Mexico.

Cold

Similar to extreme heat, cold can affect roofing as well. Materials like asphalt can become brittle and even break when weather is too cold. Roofing should be water-resistant, as warm home air can cause condensation on a roof when meeting the cool air outside. Roof seams can also expand and crack when the weather grows too cold, and shingles can even lose elasticity. Metal is an excellent material for cold temperatures due to its durability; it can also insulate your home better, keeping it warm in cold temperatures (and cool in hotter ones). Slate roofing is another excellent choice, as it is resistant to cold, wind, and snow. Concrete can handle the weight of snow and extreme temperatures. These roofs would benefit homes in states like Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, and other northern states.

Humidity

Humidity occurs when excess water vapor or moisture is in the air, typically in hot weather, which can make the temperature feel much hotter than it is. Excess heat and humidity can damage many roofs, so you’ll want a material resistant to water damage and heat. Humidity can cause water retention on a roof, leading to rust, algae growth, mold, or even rot. Heat can also cause roofs to expand or swell. Asphalt can be an affordable option in humid climates, but more durable materials include metal, concrete, and even green or vegetated roofs with plants. Southern states like Florida and Georgia often have very humid climates, particularly in Florida, due to its semitropical environment. Metal roofing is growing in popularity here for these reasons.

Rain

Rainy climates can be particularly damaging to roofs that are not water resistant. Rain can accumulate on roofs, leading to excess weight and water damage. When water accumulates, leaks can become prevalent and even worsen. Rain can often clog gutters, further leading to water accumulation. Heavy rain and hail can also damage roof shingles, increasing the risk of leaks or water damage. States like Oregon, Washington, and Alaska are some of the wettest areas in the United States. Roofing materials here should be resistant to heavy rains and water accumulation. Asphalt, metal, slate, tile, and rubber roofing are ideal in these environments.

Wind

Wind can significantly affect the longevity of roofing, as high winds can bend or break shingles and other roofing materials. Wind also can distribute debris at high speeds that can break or damage roofs. Heavy winds can even lift a roof off of a home! Areas that see a lot of wind include states that are frequently in the path of hurricanes or tornadoes. Midwestern states like Missouri, Kansas, and the other regions of ‘Tornado Alley’ require home structures and roofing that provide shelter against tornadoes’ heavy winds. Roofing contractors in Kansas City typically install metal and slate roofs because of their versatility and wind resistance—they can withstand wind speeds of up to 150-160 miles per hour. Concrete is also durable, but slightly less so (125 miles per hour wind resistance). Flat roofing isn’t ideal in windy areas like these. Most contractors opt for roofs with multiple slopes securely attached to the home’s walls for added integrity.

Snow

Snow, like rain, can accumulate on a roof. Its excess weight can break, damage, or cause the roof to sag over time. Frozen roofs can also cause elasticity and cracking issues. The snowiest states in the United States are Alaska, North Dakota, and Idaho. Homes here require roofing resistant to snow, weight, wind, and cold damage. Metal and slate are highly durable against snow damage, cold, and excess weight.

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