Snow Load & Ice Dams: Why Metal Roofs Win Every Ontario Winter
Ice dams destroy Ontario homes every winter — forcing water under asphalt shingles and into wall cavities. Standing seam metal roofing eliminates ice damming permanently.
If you own a home in Southern Ontario and have an asphalt roof, you've likely dealt with ice dams — the thick ridges of ice that form at the eave edge and force melt water back up under shingles and into wall cavities. Ice dams cause catastrophic water damage, rot, and mold, and they return every winter as long as you have an asphalt roof. Standing seam metal roofing eliminates ice damming permanently.
What Causes Ice Dams?
Why Asphalt Shingles Are Vulnerable
How Standing Seam Metal Eliminates Ice Dams
Important: Standing seam metal roofing should be installed with proper thermal break underlayment to minimize heat loss through the roof deck — which reduces the temperature differential that causes ice damming in the first place. VAH Construction includes appropriate thermal break underlayment in every installation.
Snow Load on Metal Roofs
Frequently Asked Questions
If I install a metal roof, will I still get ice dams?
Ice dam formation is effectively eliminated with properly installed standing seam metal roofing. The combination of a smooth, non-retentive surface and the continuous sealed panel system means there is no mechanism for ice dam-related water infiltration.
Does metal roofing increase the risk of dangerous roof avalanches?
On steeply pitched roofs, large snow accumulations can slide off quickly. VAH Construction can install snow guards or snow retention bars to control snow release in areas where sliding snow would be hazardous (over entries, walkways, or driveways).
My asphalt roof has chronic ice dam problems. Can I switch to metal?
Absolutely — and standing seam metal is the definitive solution. VAH Construction will assess your roof structure, ventilation, and insulation as part of the installation process to ensure the new metal roof performs optimally and ice damming is permanently resolved.
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