Metal roofs: Why they’re great for Minnesota’s winters

Not all roofs are created equal. Every roofing material has advantages and disadvantages. 

Sometimes, where you live plays into those advantages and disadvantages. That is the case with metal roofs, which are ideal for homes in Minnesota, especially during the winter months.

Longevity is the greatest strength of metal roofing.

Metal roofs last at least 40 to 70 years, and often carry warranties of 30 to 50 years. That’s a major plus anywhere, but especially in Minnesota, where hail, snow, ice, and extreme temperatures wreak havoc on other roofing materials like asphalt shingles, which typically have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years or less. Some insurance companies take notice of this benefit, and offer discounts for impact-resistant metal roofs. While metal roofs cost more than asphalt shingles on the front end, they can easily pay for themselves over time.

Metal roofs shed snow and ice well.

Ice dams can cause major concerns during the winter months. As we’ve discussed before, when the surface of your roof becomes warmer than the air outside, any snow on top will slowly melt, running to the eaves and eventually re-freezing to create ice dams that can cause water to build up and leak into your home. Because metal roofs are hard and slippery, it is more difficult for snow and ice to accumulate over time, greatly reducing the opportunity for ice dams to form. To decrease the odds further, select a dark tone that will attract sunlight to aid in melting.

Metal roofing weighs less than asphalt shingles.

Not only do metal roofing materials shed snow better than asphalt shingles, but they’re also at least 25% lighter, depending on the type of metal used. In older homes, especially, roof weight matters. If you have a roofing material that is heavy and does not shed snow well, it could add up to trouble.

Insulate metal roofs for the best results.

Metal roofing performs very well in the summer, reflecting the sun to help keep your home cool. However, in the colder months, metal does not do nearly as well at keeping your home warm. In fact, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association, it has no useful R-Value, meaning it has no ability to resist heat flow. However, it is easy to install insulation under metal roofing. If the insulation and metal roof is installed correctly, it will protect your home for decades.

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Don’t fear moisture or melting.

As temperatures increase – either on an unseasonably warm winter day or in the spring – you don’t want to worry about snow, ice, or frost melting and damaging your roof. With metal roofs – especially stainless steel roofs – you don’t have to, as they’re resistant to rust and corrosion. Using a material coated with Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) provides even more protection from rust, corrosion, and color fading.

Don’t try to install metal roofing yourself.

In order to capitalize on all the benefits of metal roofs, they must be installed correctly. Incorrect installation could lead to leaks. Also, because of the slippery nature of metal roofing materials, only those with the proper training and experience should be installing them. The professionals at Keyprime are here to help. Call 952-522-2055 or fill out the form below to get a free quote.