Snow is not an unknown substance in Central Oregon, and anyone who lives here knows we are prone to getting a deep storm or two each season. And while it makes for excellent winter recreation, deep snow can wreak havoc on your roof. Choosing the right roofing material can make a big difference in maintaining the longevity of your roof.

So when you are deciding what roofing material you want to put on your home, you have a few different options offered by Greenlee Roofing. Composition Shingles, Metal, and Tesla Solar. And while all of these are great options to protect your home from winter storms, they are different and offer various benefits.

Metal

When it comes to durability, metal is perhaps the best and most logical option out there. Not only is metal reasonably lightweight, but it’s also extremely strong and can withstand hurricane-force winds and thousands of pounds of extra weight that snow can pile on. Metal is rapidly becoming one of the most popular roofing material choices in Central Oregon because of the number of benefits it can have during the winter season. For starters, snow and ice have a pretty tough time sticking to metal roofs and usually slides right off before it can become dangerous to those down below. A metal roof can also be installed with snow shields that prevent large chunks of snow and ice from falling off all at once, and others can include roof heaters, which melt snow and ice that lands on the roof quickly (it doesn’t take much to make a piece of metal warm to the touch). And with proper insulation, metal roofs can be just as efficient as a regular non-metal material, or perhaps even more so due to fewer air leaks and gaps causing heat loss.

Tesla Solar Roof

Not only is Tesla’s Solar Roof the most technically advanced solar roof on the market, but it also has two very unique features that make it an excellent roof for snow. One of these features is that the Tesla Solar Roof is considered a  “Cold Roof.” This means a gap exists between the underlayment and the actual solar tiles. This gap allows for airflow that is not possible on a traditional roof, and this airflow makes the Tesla Solar roof highly resistant to ice dams. And on top of that, the actual roofing material is either tempered glass or metal, which is slightly hydrophobic and aids with the shedding of snow during a storm.

Tweet from Tesla Founder Elon Musk

The other feature that makes the Tesla Solar Roof an excellent roof for snow is its incredible waterproof underlayment system. Tesla designed a very thick waterproof barrier that is adhered to the roof. It is impenetrable by water and is excellent for preventing leaks during a winter snowstorm. If you want to learn more about the Tesla Solar Roof, check out our video “What is a Tesla Solar Roof.” to learn more about the unique features of Tesla’s Solar Roof. 

Composition

Shingle roofs are the most affordable roofing material for the winter climate. While there are several types of shingles, asphalt shingles are the most popular. Yes, asphalt shingles have been designed to protect homes through all kinds of weather, but they do not offer the unique now shedding capabilities of either a Metal or Tesla Roof. 

If you want to learn more or have any questions feel free to send us an email or give us a call, and we would be happy to discuss the pros and cons of various materials for your specific budget and home.