Choosing the right type of roof for Minnesota’s insanely cold climate can be a difficult task. However, there are plenty of excellent materials to choose from, some of which are great regardless of whether you’re facing an intense amount of heat or cold.
Affordable vs. Sustainable Roofing
According to a roofing contractor Minneapolis professional, the most practical materials to choose from when it comes to the harsh weather in Minnesota are asphalt shingles, clay and concrete tiles, as well as wood and metal roofing. Even though these seem like a lot, your choices can be narrowed down depending on which practical properties associated with each type of roof will most appeal to you.
Each one of these materials has its own unique traits, but some are more sustainable, energy efficient and durable in the face of cold weather, while others have the quality of being more affordable and accessible:
- Asphalt shingle roofing is easy to install, and it’s the cheapest type of roof you can get. If you’re on a budget, it can be a great choice to fend off the cold, but it’s somewhat less durable and energy efficient than the other materials on this list. Also, since you have to replace it once every 15-20 years, asphalt shingle roofing isn’t as eco-friendly either.
- Metal roofing is probably the closest to embody all the required qualities of a reliable Minnesota roof. It’s adaptable to many types of designs, it can insulate efficiently, it’s fireproof, and it can last for up to 50-60 years. Moreover, most types of metal roofing – such as steel and aluminum – are quite cheap, although copper can be more on the expensive side.
- If you want excellent weather protection along with sustainability and long term durability, the best choice by far is a clay or concrete tile roof. Although tile roofing can be more expensive than regular shingle designs, these roofs will protect your home quite well.
- Finally, wood shakes are a great choice to get most of the qualities of metal and concrete, but with a much more stylish look added to it. You’ll find, however, that wood is far more fragile in the face of bad weather, parasites and water or fire damage.
Your Personal Roofing Choices
Of course, it’s not all just about making sure your new roof is durable, sustainable and capable of getting past the main issues associated with the weather and climate in Minnesota. It’s also about how the design makes you feel and how well it can fit in with the scenery, as well as standing out.
The best roofing solutions are considered to be those that create as much of an impact as possible. While high slope roofing designs are the most fashionable choice in Minnesota, you have a lot of flexibility in choosing your design with the materials listed above. Asphalt shingles and metal roofing are materials that work for both high and low slope roofs, and can be adapted to precisely what you need.
Your budget is also a very important factor to think about. While asphalt shingles and metal are somewhat more affordable, slate and wood is a lot pricier. Depending on whether you’re interested in a longer lasting roof, better aesthetics or improved sustainability, the pricing ranges will vary, but metal roofing seems to have an overall edge when it comes to its average value considering all three of these attributes.