Best Roofing Materials for Ottawa's Climate

Ottawa sees temperature swings of 60°C or more between summer and winter, plus heavy snow loads and occasional ice storms. Roofing materials need to handle expansion, contraction, snow load, and freeze-thaw cycles.

Architectural asphalt shingles remain the most popular choice — affordable, widely available, with 30–50 year warranties.

Standing-seam metal is increasingly popular for its longevity (50+ years), snow-shedding ability, and resistance to ice damage.

Synthetic slate and shake products offer the look of premium materials with much better cold-weather durability.