Stop ice dams before they start

By Emma Peterson. 

Unified Steel’s systems improve insulation and airflow, making for safer and longer-lasting roofs.  

Winter weather presents a variety of challenges for a roof. Two of the big ones are snow and ice, which can create dangerous situations around the roof (uncontrolled snow avalanches off the roof) and shorten the lifespan of the roof itself (ice dams penetrate the roof leading to leaks). That's why Westlake Royal Roofing Products’ Unified Steel team has designed a product that overcomes both of those challenges! 

In terms of snow build up and control, Unified Steel’s stone-coated roofing surface naturally helps retain the snow load helping owner avoid the dangerous snow avalanches that can destroy property, harm bystanders and even take lives. And, when installed with the right batten or counter-batten system (like Unified Steel’s EBS Battens), the roof systems live snow load capacity has been shown to increase to up 980 psf, eliminating the concern of collapse due to retained snow’s weight. 

Additionally, installing that same batten system in combination with above sheathing ventilation (ASV) helps reduce the formation of ice dams. How? By improving the roof’s insulation and ventilation, this system reduces the cycling of temperatures that create the freeze/thaw cycle that develops ice dams. Avoiding these ice dams is key to avoiding damages and costly repairs down the line.  

And Unified Steel’s roofing is not just good at handling winter weather! It also comes with benefits such as:  

• Decades of durability: Proudly made in the U.S.A. stone-coated steel roofing is a strong and reliable roofing solution that resists fire, wind, hail and time better in comparison to traditional roofing.  
• Top-notch aesthetics: Don’t sacrifice looks for performance. With Unified Steel roofing, you can get the appearance (and curb appeal) of shake, tile or shingles without any performance compromises. 
• Efficient and economical: Unified Steel is known for being a low maintenance solution that reduces repair costs, lowers energy bills and raises your home’s value. 
• Protecting the planet: With the advanced ventilation and insulation in Unified Steel’s roofing products, energy consumption (in the form of lowering use of HVAC systems) is reduced. Further, unlike some traditional products, the metal of stone-coated steel roofing is crafted from highly recyclable materials, making the roof more eco-friendly from day one. 

Ultimately, installing Unified Steel stone-coated roofing with proper battens and ASV is a great option for a durable, long-lasting roof that will perform through whatever winter can throw at it.  

Learn more about Unified Steel stone-coated roofing.