Hello again, Colorado! It’s Adrian Oliver from Home Grown Roofing. Last week, we discussed the serious weight of snow on your roof. This week, we’re broadening that topic to cover the full spectrum of challenges that come with High Altitude Roofing. Building and maintaining a home above 10,000 feet isn’t for the faint of heart, and your roof is the first line of defense against some of the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Instead of a traditional article, I wanted to try something different and answer the most common questions I get from homeowners in our beautiful mountain communities. Let’s dive in.
Your High-Altitude Roofing Questions
Q: “Adrian, does the sun really affect my roof more at higher elevations?”
A: Absolutely, and it’s one of the most underestimated factors in mountain roofing. The atmosphere is thinner up here, which means it filters out less of the sun’s intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Think of it like getting a sunburn faster on a ski trip. Those same UV rays are constantly bombarding your roof.
For conventional asphalt shingles, this intense exposure accelerates the degradation of the asphalt, causing the shingles to become brittle, crack, and lose their protective granules much faster than they would at a lower elevation. This is why material choice is so critical when you’re looking for High Altitude Roofing in Breckenridge. A material’s UV resistance is one of the first things we consider.
Q: “Besides snow, what are the biggest weather challenges for a high-altitude roof?”
A: Great question. While snow is the most visible challenge, it’s the combination of factors that truly tests a roof. The two other big ones are wind and dramatic temperature swings.
- Wind: Wind speeds are significantly higher in the mountains. This creates immense uplift pressure that can tear shingles right off a roof if they aren’t properly installed. It’s not just about the material; it’s about the fastening system and installation technique.
- Temperature Swings: It’s not uncommon for the temperature on a roof surface to swing 50 degrees or more in a single day. This causes constant expansion and contraction of the roofing materials. Over time, this thermal cycling can stress seams, loosen fasteners, and create openings for water to penetrate.
Q: “So, what is the best roofing material for a high-altitude home?”
A: Given the intense UV exposure, high winds, and heavy snow loads, I almost always recommend a standing seam metal roof for high-altitude homes. It’s simply the most resilient and long-lasting solution for our environment.
Here’s why it excels:
- UV Resistance: The high-quality Kynar 500® finishes on modern metal panels are specifically designed to resist fading and chalking, even under the most intense sun.
- Wind Resistance: The panels interlock and use concealed fasteners, creating a unified system that can withstand winds of 140 mph or more.
- Durability: Metal is impervious to the cracking and degradation that affects asphalt in our climate.
Q: “Is professional installation really that important?”
A: It’s everything. You can have the best materials in the world, but if they aren’t installed by a team that understands mountain construction, they will fail. A roofer from the flatlands may not be familiar with the specific underlayments, ventilation strategies, and flashing techniques required to create a watertight and wind-resistant seal in a high-altitude environment. It’s a specialized skill set, and your home’s integrity depends on it.
In our next post, we’ll tackle another critical mountain topic: Ice Dam Prevention: Protecting Your Mountain Home from Winter Damage. It’s a problem I see all too often.
Have More Questions?
Building and living in the mountains is a unique journey, and your home deserves a roof that is up to the task. If you have more questions or want a professional to assess your high-altitude home, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Ready to protect your mountain home with a roof built for the challenge? Contact Home Grown Roofing for a free, no-obligation consultation!