Metal Roof Design for Cold Climates

Full Description

Northern climates have always posed unique challenges to all types of roofing material. Snow and ice pull and tug on roof membranes and over time can threaten to tear them apart. Freezing phenomena can pry flashings away from roofs, inhibit proper drainage, rip gutters from eaves, and even threaten personal safety at building perimeters. Another demand placed upon any roofing system by a cold climate is the wide range of temperatures to which it is exposed, producing exaggerated thermal movement and stress. Because materials change dimension in direct proportion to their temperatures, “thermal cycling” of the roof means that it constantly undergoes movement and stress.

In these climates, roof temperatures can also change very suddenly causing dimensional changes in roof materials (thermal shock). In some higher elevations, ultraviolet exposure can be more severe than south Florida. Condensation control can also be quite a challenge as moist room-side air migrates to the colder roof and condenses, sometimes freezing. Roof design for sites that experience snowfall and freezing temperatures is an important consideration due to the special challenges that this type of environment poses for the roof.