So many weather conditions affect roofs, lessening their lifespan and costing homeowners money. Most of the time, it is impossible to plan for weather events, but a little knowledge about what weather can do will help you design a roof that better withstands Mother Nature. A good all weather roof made from the right roof materials will last longer and save money in the long term.

Design a Roof for Storms

Many conditions weather roof materials, but when people think of weather-damaged roofs, they first think of storm damage. Hurricanes and tornados will easily destroy any home roof design. However, there are subtle types of damage homeowners really need to watch for, such as:

• Hail: Hail storms can severely damage or even destroy a roof in a few minutes. Often, the damage done will not show up until months or years later, when leaks form in weakened places in the roofing materials. Shake and metal roofs hold up best against hail, though metal tends to dent easily.
• Rain: Whenever rainwater gets beneath the shingles to the roof, deck, mildew and rot form, causing a building to deteriorate. When you design a roof, it must be well-sealed against moisture.
• Wind: High winds can lift shingles, allowing water and debris to get underneath, and extremely high winds can blow shingles off a roof. The key is to ensure your roofing materials are well-secured.

Home Roof Design for Summer: Heat and Sun

Most people don’t think that sun and heat can cause major roof damage, but it does. In the northern hemisphere, the south part of any home roof design will wear most in the sun and heat.

In hot, humid climates, condensation can form when warm moist air gets trapped under the roof. Poorly ventilated attics are often the cause, and this can lead to decay in parts of the roof, especially rafters or the roof deck.

In the Southwest, many roofs in the desert are made from clay tiles. Compared to other roofing materials, this type of shingle deals best with heat and the hot desert sun.

Winter: Cold, Ice, and Snow

Winter is extremely hard on any home roof design, especially in climates prone to cold winter temperatures. In such climates, the heat from inside the house contrasts with sub-zero temperatures outside, which causes roofing materials to wear more quickly as they expand and contract.

Ice and snow also affect roofing materials. When ice freezes in roof gutters, melted water backs up, causing ice dams. Warmth from the house also melts ice, allowing water to get underneath the shingles to the underlayment. Leaks from ice dams allow water to enter the house, causing damage and rot, not only to the roof but also to the rest of the house.

Tar shingles expand and contract easily. This flexibility makes them the best roofing materials for dealing with heat on the inside and frigid temperatures on the outside.