Building a home in Minnesota is a challenge. Due to extreme weather conditions and weather changes over the year, you’ll get to see your home put to the test in every way imaginable.
This goes double for your roof. You’ll see how it behaves under rain if it stains in direct sunlight, how snow-shedding-friendly it is, and how the structure holds under the weight of all that snow.
Many of these factors heavily depend on your choice of roofing materials. With that in mind and without further ado, here are the top five roof types for a house in Minnesota that you should seriously consider before your next roofing project.
1. Asphalt
If you’ve ever driven down a suburban area anywhere in Minnesota, this is all the research you need to conclude that asphalt roofs are the most popular/common option in this state. They’re cost-effective, and the fact that they’re common means that there’s an abundance of roofers competent in handling it. You would be surprised at just how important this last point is.
The installation is, therefore, fairly easy, and you could even do it yourself. Keep in mind that this is important for maintenance and repairs. All it takes is to get a few extra shingles to replace the old ones, and that’s it. Since asphalt is so standard, even professional repairs on an asphalt roof will cost less.
Also, remember that asphalt is highly resistant. This is important to remember in areas like Minnesota (where rain, hail, and snow are expected).
2. Tiles
Tile roofs are definitely not common in Minnesota; however, many good arguments are to be made in their favor. First of all, they’re low maintenance and have high energy efficiency. These two features are already enough to categorize them as Minnesota-appropriate roofing options.
You can’t go wrong with tiles if you aim for high curb appeal. They come in various styles, shapes, and colors, but most will give your home a sleek look. This is especially the case with new roofs (our current conversation topic).
Again, the fact that they’re not common may make your home stand out (which is not always bad). Also, not many roofing companies specialize in tile roofing, and quality materials may be slightly harder to come by. Still, in the era of online research, even this shouldn’t be too big of a challenge.
3. Metal
Metal roofs are durable and long-lasting. In weather conditions like those in Minnesota, these factors are incredibly important. Most importantly, these roofs are energy sufficient. This is a huge factor in a region with a heating season of about seven months yearly.
It’s also important to stress that snow shedding tends to be much simpler on roofs with smooth surfaces. This is what makes metal sheets so incredibly versatile.
Now, there are a few reasons why metal may not be the best solution. First of all, it’s quite heavy. This means that when the snow comes, this puts extra weight on your roof. According to experts behind GAF solar roof installation in Minnesota, if you ever plan to install solar panels, you must also factor in this extra weight. While it’s not impossible to pull this off, your roof construction would have to be far stronger than standard.
Lastly, if you don’t pick the right alloy or neglect the maintenance of your roof completely, there’s always a risk of corrosion present. This is something you should research and plan for in advance.
4. Wood
Wood is probably the last thing you expect to see on a Minnesotan home; however, it’s a completely viable solution with the right planning. In fact, since forest fires (although not unheard of) are much rarer in Minnesota, some might even argue that this makes the region even more suitable for this roofing material.
Some could argue that a wooden roof doesn’t last as long as other options; however, this has nothing to do with the region. It’s not like a wooden roof would outlast a metal one in any other state. Some materials just have a shorter lifespan, but they compensate for this in aesthetics.
Now, to ensure that your roof lasts as long as you need it to, there are a couple of things you have to do.
- First, you need a proper installation.
- Second, you need an adequate slope since rainwater retention is the last thing you want.
- Third, insulation and ventilation are a top priority.
- Finally, while we’ve mentioned that fire hazards may not be as great, you cannot ignore fire safety considerations.
In other words, while not the most pragmatic of options, wood is not off the table either.
5. Slate
Since Minnesota has some of the harshest winters, finding a durable material with a long lifespan is important. With proper maintenance, slate roofs should have no problem outlasting a century. This, of course, implies adequate installation and maintenance.
Aesthetics and curb appeal are other important factors to consider. Slate roofs are uncommon in Minnesota compared to asphalt shingles or metal. So, this is one of the simplest ways for your home to stand out (provided that this is something you want). This also creates another problem: few roofers in Minnesota have too much experience with slate. You’ll have to work harder to find the right roofing company.
Regarding physical properties, slate is energy-efficient, requires low maintenance, and is eco-friendly. You would be surprised at how important the last part is to some people. Remember that you don’t do a roofing project very often, so consider everything.
Wrap up
In the end, the key thing is that you know what you’re getting into. Expecting your wooden roof to outlast a slate or a metal roof is preposterous. Also, while a wooden roof may perform admirably with proper ventilation, insulation, and installation, it probably shouldn’t be your first choice in Minnesota. Ideally, you should go for either metal or asphalt roof. Still, if you aren’t afraid of a bit of extra effort and want a unique roof, all five of these options are viable.
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