When it comes time to replace your roof, one of the first things you should consider as you evaluate roofing materials is how well it is going to stand up to Minnesota weather. A roof that works well in a warm, dry area like Arizona might not be the best choice for Minneapolis homes. It's a good idea to do some research and find out how well a particular roof will resist damage from some of our most severe threats - hail and heavy snow being the worst. You want a roof that's going to protect your home no matter what the weather, but especially in winter. So, in terms of snow, here are the top roofing materials.

Recommended Roofs for Areas with Heavy Snow and Ice

Minnesota is known for its harsh winters with bitter cold, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snows and ice storms. So any roof you choose should perform well in the face of all of these. Here are the top ones for these climate conditions:

  • Metal Roofing:  A metal roof is at the top of the list. It easily sheds snow, so ice dam development is unlikely. Also, ice storms aren't a threat. Plus the installation process makes it highly energy efficient, meaning your home will be more comfortable and you'll be spending less to keep it warm. Our winter blizzards are often accompanied by high winds, and metal roofs have a wind lift rating in excess of somewhere between 140-180 mph (that's higher than most tornadoes), so you don't have to worry about sections blowing off or coming loose.
  • Slate Roofing: Slate roofing tiles have similar characteristics as far as wind lift and resistance to ice and snow damage that metal roofing has. But slate roofing is very expensive. And it's heavyweight, so homes usually require additional support. It also requires specialized skills to install and repair. (If you like the look of slate, we have metal roofs we can recommend that look like slate but without the drawbacks.)
  • Fiberglass asphalt shingles: Fiberglass asphalt roofing is a good economical choice, and they will hold up well to most winter conditions. The downside is that this type of roof has a much shorter lifespan than metal (20-30 years as opposed to up to 70 years or more for metal). Asphalt roofing also requires more frequent maintenance and repairs than metal roofing does, and it is not as resistant to wind damage.

For Snowy Areas, Choose Metal Roofing

We've got lots of reasons why you should choose metal roofing, but how well it performs in the face of snow and ice is one of the top benefits. Many homeowners around the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area have had Quarve install metal roofs on their homes to eliminate problems they've had in the winter. Ice dam prevention is often at the top of their wish list, and we believe it's the very best solution. If ice dams are a problem on your home, or you'd like to ensure it is well protected from our winter weather, give us a call for a free quote. Quarve Contracting, Inc./Metal Roofing & Siding of Minnesota is a licensed roofing company. We specialize in metal roofing, but we also install other types of roofs as well.