How Long Should a Roof Last in Minnesota?

When installing a roof, you hope never to do it again. Inspections, repairs, and maintenance are necessary; however, unlike kitchen remodeling, a full roofing project should not occur again in your lifetime. Whether or not this will be the case depends on several factors.

There’s a reason why different regions have different roof architectures. Just by examining these roofs, you can already develop some understanding of the local architecture. For instance, there’s a reason why roofs are so steep in the Austrian Alps and so flat in the Middle East.

With all this in mind, what kind of roof should you have in Minnesota to ensure decent longevity? What factors affect the roof’s length, and how does this translate to your region? Let’s find out!

Local climate

Roofs are made to withstand moisture; however, this doesn’t mean that rain (and moisture in general) doesn’t affect them. Overexposure to rain and moisture can lead to rot, mold, and structural damage. While Minnesota is renowned for its occasional heavy snow, the truth is that it receives a moderate amount of rain over the course of the year. In other words, rain is not going to have any drastic effect on a roof in Minnesota.

Hailstorms are not unheard of in Minnesota, and they can directly crack or puncture roofs if the materials are not hard enough.

Then, there’s the question of snow and ice. In Minnesota, ice accumulates on the roof, putting extra pressure on shingles and the structure below. Once the ice starts thawing, it will lead to much higher water infiltration into all pores on the roof.

The wind is another huge factor. The thing is that Minnesota experiences wind throughout the year. During winter months, these winds can be particularly strong. This means it will put extra stress on your roof and risk carrying debris that will damage it.

Quality of installation and the material

The next thing you need to consider is the quality of the installation. According to the specialists behind Summit Construction Group, the installation is often underestimated when it comes to the longevity of the roof. Sure, loose shingles will get detached by a strong wind, but this is not the only pending problem. Some many minor flaws and inaccuracies won’t show right away but, in time, might cause a huge problem.

As far as the materials go, the best options for Minnesota are probably:

• Asphalt
• Metal
• Slate

There are many reasons behind it, but one thing that they have in common is that they’re resistant to wind and moisture, as well as the fact that they can withstand a heavy snow load. Sure, some of these materials are more expensive than others, but there’s always an option to fit your roofing budget.

You might also want to consider concrete or clay tiles besides these three. These are durable and effective, but their major deficiency is their weight. Because of the expected snow load, the last thing that your roof structure needs is extra weight. Still, when constructed properly, this should not be a major obstacle.

Ventilation, insulation, and upkeep

Another thing you need to understand is the importance of proper ventilation. You see, moisture is one of the biggest enemies of any roof. Sure, the roof’s surface is designed for this purpose but what about the inside? What about structure and integrity?

Heat differences can also be a massive problem. Here, both ventilation and heat regulation make a difference. You can regulate the temperature with proper ventilation, but the roof insulation will make it all easier. This is an additional reason why proper installation is so important.

This affects the longevity of shingles, energy efficiency, and even warranty compliances. Since most shingle suppliers understand the impact of ventilation on the longevity of their shingles, they may make your warranty void if this aspect is sub-par.

You have to get some work done on your attic. You need intake vents, soffit vents, and exhaust vents. Designing these requires a great architectural understanding, so you should always rely on professionals. Luckily, these professionals are not that hard to find in Minnesota.

Environmental factors

As we’ve already discussed, flying debris (like ripped tree branches) is a major problem in Minnesota. This is mostly due to extreme winds expected during some of the year. Therefore, while handling the roofing, your installers must ensure that everything is properly fastened and that your material of choice won’t crack on the first impact.

Another concern is pollution, which may lead to staining and discoloration of your roof. It may also encourage the growth of algae and moss on your roof. In the case of a metal roof (one of our top suggestions), there’s an increased risk of corrosion. With all this said and done, Minnesota has one of the lower pollution levels on the continent. Still, while not a significant factor, it’s also worth considering.

Finally, we should address an issue that damages roofs but doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should – the foot traffic. This usually occurs during inspections or repairs. Now, a sturdier roof (from the very start) will have fewer instances of these – up-close inspections.

Roof slope and design

The slope choice is an architectural (some would even say style-based) choice that greatly impacts your roof’s functionality and maintenance. With today’s architecture and materials manufacturing level, flat roofs in Minnesota are nothing unusual, even if this type of structure may not be designed for tasks like snow shedding and drainage.

The key thing to remember is that a quality-made roof will work regardless of the shape. You’ll probably go with a slightly steeper slope to make things easier and cheaper.

Wrap up

Provided you’ve fulfilled most of these requirements, your Minnesotan roof can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years, depending on the material used. In other words, this project can be one-and-done if you do things right from the start. So, take your time, budget carefully, and don’t be afraid to fully commit.