What Are the Best Types of Roof for the Chicago Climate?
As a Chicagoan and true Midwesterner, you know that the Chicago climate can be harsh to the point of almost unbearable. But while you get to run inside to the comfort of your heating and cooling, your home’s exterior is left to fend for itself. With a climate that dips into extreme temperatures on both sides of the spectrum, choosing materials that are durable yet versatile enough to last through all four seasons is crucial.
When it comes to protecting the roof over your head, why take a chance and use a material that won’t hold up against the colder than cold winters and blistering heat of the summer? To help you decide, here are the three best types of roof for any Chicago climate.
Asphalt Fiberglass Shingles
Also known simply as asphalt shingles, this type of roofing material is the most popular because of its strength and durability. A fiberglass mat is embedded into the asphalt shingle to provide even more strength and tear resistance to withstand snow, rain, and even hail—something you really need in the cold and windy Chicago climate. These shingles are also easy to install and much more affordable than many other roofing materials. Plus, you can easily find them in an array of different colors for sloped roofs.
Natural Slate Roofing
When it comes to using this material for your Chicago rooftop, there’s goods and bad news. The bad news is that natural slate roofing can be the most expensive kind of roofing material, and it’s tricky to install. But here’s the thing: slate roofing has the potential to last for up to 75 years! Since it’s a naturally durable material, it lasts longer throughout all kinds of weather conditions and won’t expand or contract from any heat or cold. This makes slate roofing a smarter long term investment for your home. Now, how’s that for good news?
Metal Roofing
At the top of the list of most durable rooftops in extreme Chicago weather is metal. Metal roofing can stand up to the worst conditions that Mother Nature might send our way. From high winds to heavy snow and ice in the wintertime to the blistering heat of a Midwestern summer, this material is durable and versatile. Since metal roofing can help to keep your home cooler by deflecting the sun’s heat (without absorbing it as many other roofing materials typically do). It’s also a great way to make your home more energy efficient.
This type of roof is classified as a “cool roof” because it decreases the amount of heat transferred to your entire home through the roof. With a cool roof, the amount of air conditioning needed to keep your home’s interior a comfortable temperature is drastically lower. This level of energy efficiency can lower your HVAC costs overtime and improve your home’s value when it’s time to sell.
Author
Katherine Oakes is a writer for the roof replacement & installation professionals at Modernize with the goal of helping homeowners connect with qualified roofing contractors for their home improvement projects.
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