Canadian Roofs: Why are they different

Canadians stand out for a few reasons, including our obsession with Hockey and our use of the term "sorry". Did you know that roofs are among them? Roofs are not made of beaver hair or carved from an Igloo. But there are some things Canadians need when it is time to address their roofing needs.

There are some exceptions, such as Victoria and Vancouver, but Canada is cold. With cold weather comes unique challenges in the roofing industry, and special attention must be given to roof performance under winter conditions.

Many roofs have been designed to be used in areas with warmer climates. This is a problem as these roofs can cause condensation and mold issues. It is important that you only use local resources when you seek advice online.

Canadian roofing companies also need to be aware of ice. It is important to have an underlay such as a dam-underlay in order to accommodate ice buildup. An underlay, which acts as an underlayment membrane for waterproofing roofs, protects vulnerable roof areas from water and ice damage. An ice and water protector should always be installed before other underlayments, and if installing around chimneys or other roof features, it should be placed below the flashing.

Due to the extra ice-water protection Canadian roofs provide, proper attic ventilation should be considered. Correct ventilation can prevent moisture from building-up in your attic. This will help to prevent future condensation problems. Attic ventilation openings should contain 50% continuous soffit and 50% roof, ridge or gable.