The Best Roofing Material for Colorado’s Climate: Why Synthetic Cedar Shakes Are Ideal

Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes and dynamic climate make it a unique place to live, but those same factors also create significant challenges for homeowners. For homeowners living in Colorado mountain towns and mountain communities like Aspen, Vail, Snowmass, Cordillera, Edwards, and Steamboat Springs, having a roofing material that can withstand extreme conditions while maintaining its beauty and functionality is important.

If you’re looking for the best roofing material for Colorado, synthetic roofing materials are the ideal choice. Combining unmatched durability, low maintenance, and stunning aesthetics, synthetic options like synthetic cedar shakes are specifically designed to meet the demands of Colorado homes.

Why Colorado’s Climate Demands the Best Roofing Materials

Colorado’s weather extremes require roofing solutions that can handle a variety of challenges such as:

Wildfire Risks

In wildfire-prone areas, fire-resistant roofing materials are essential for protecting your home and meeting Colorado’s strict building codes. Traditional roofing materials likes cedar wood shakes have long been a favored look that seems perfect for a mountain setting. However, wood is naturally flammable and catches fire easily, and wood does not meet updated local building codes or safety standards. In fact, many communities and mountain towns have banned the use of wood shake shingles altogether. Wood shakes are naturally flammable and untreated wood shakes can be ignited by firebrands, exposure to fire, or traveling embers from a nearby fire.

In the event of a wildfire, roofs are the most vulnerable part of a home because they present a large expanse where burning debris and embers may land. Flames spread from roof to roof, with embers from the fire being a major cause of traveling fire damage. Sparks and ignited debris can be lifted and carried by convection currents up to a half-mile from a fire.

CeDUR Synthetic Cedar Shakes can extinguish flame spread and will not allow a flame to propagate on the surface of the product. CeDUR products are stand-alone Class A Fire Rated without the need of a special fire-resistant underlayment during installation. This fire-resistant technology is patented and proprietary to CeDUR.

• CeDUR does not require a special fire-resistant underlayment to achieve its Class A Fire Rating

• CeDUR features a Class A Fire Rating - Stand Alone - highest rating obtainable - ASTM E108, UL 790

Hailstorms and High Winds

Hail is a frequent occurrence in Colorado, causing costly damage to traditional roofing materials like wood shakes and asphalt shingles. Similarly, wind gusts can tear away shingles or compromise structural integrity. A Colorado hailstorm can dent, crack, and break roof tiles.

To lower your risk of severe damage during a Colorado hailstorm, it is strongly recommended to consider a UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rated roof.

Your roof is your first line of defense against natures elements and UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Resistant roofs are designed and engineered to withstand impact. Installing an impact resistant roof, and other impact resistant construction materials, is critical to protecting a Colorado home or structure from hail damage or weather damage.

When it comes to UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rated products for your home, here are a few things you should know:

• There are four impact resistance ratings from Class 1 to Class 4.

• Class 4 impact resistant products are the most durable and impact resistant.

• If you have a Class 4 impact resistant roof, then your roof can better withstand hail damage and impact resistance.

CeDUR Synthetic Roofing Products are designed to withstand impact and are UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rated.

Heavy Snow and Ice

Colorado winters bring significant snow loads, which can strain your roof and lead to issues if materials aren’t designed to handle the weight or prevent ice dams. Homeowners living in Colorado mountain communities like Breckenridge, Telluride, and Beaver Creek experience months of heavy snow and ice.

To combat heavy snow load and snow build up on your roof, here are a few things you may want to consider for your Colorado home:

• Snow Guards: Snow guards help prevent large snow slides from falling off your roof. They also help control the release of snow and ice and allow it to melt gradually. Snow guards are highly recommended above entry and exit areas and high foot traffic areas of your home.

• Heating Cables: Installing electric heating cables along roof edges helps prevent ice dams and heavy snow build up.

• Maintain Proper Ventilation: While often overlooked, proper home ventilation helps regulate home temperature.

• Gutter Maintenance: To ensure proper water drainage, gutters must be cleared of debris and build up.

• Ice Dam Prevention: Ice dams occur when snow melts and refreezes at a roofs edges.

• Professional Inspection: By having a professional roofing contractor inspect your home, you can gain valuable advice and knowledge on how to prevent heavy snow and ice build up.

Intense Sunlight and UV Rays

At high altitudes, UV rays are stronger and can quickly degrade traditional materials.

6 Reasons Synthetic Roofing Materials Are Ideal for Colorado

Synthetic roofing materials provide a superior solution for Colorado’s demanding climate. Unlike traditional materials, synthetic options combine cutting-edge technology with timeless design to deliver a product that excels in every area:

1. Insurance Benefits

Natural wood shake shingles and other traditional roofing materials are potentially a high-risk liability for insurance companies covering residential dwellings. As a result, insurance companies may charge premiums for homeowners with a wood shake roof. Insurance companies are cautious of advising homeowners to install or re-repair their natural cedar shake roof, especially in high-risk wildfire danger zones due to durability concerns and fire risk associated with wood shake shingles. To replace a wood shake roof with a Class A Fire Rated and Class 4 Impact Rated roofing material like CeDUR, may alleviate insurance premiums. The installation of a new CeDUR synthetic roof means fire-resistance synthetic shake roof and potential reductions in homeowners insurance cost.

Due to our impact resistance and fire-resistant technology CeDUR is eligible for impact resistance discounts. CeDUR is listed on most major insurance companies’ premium credits product listing. This includes companies like State Farm Insurance, Chubb Insurance, and American Family Insurance. Homeowners with a CeDUR synthetic roof have the potential to receive insurance policy discounts.

With proper testing and certification, insurance companies are willing to provide homeowners with discounts for installing a Class 4 UL 2218 impact resistant roof. CeDUR products are eligible for impact resistance discounts and CeDUR is listed on State Farm’s Roofing Discounts Listing. Below is a link to the State Farm Insurance list of roofing products that are eligible for impact resistance discounts.

2. Durability

Synthetic roofing materials are designed to withstand hail and wind, with a Class 4 Impact Resistance rating that protects against Colorado’s toughest storms.

3. Fire Resistance

With a stand alone Class A Fire Rating, CeDUR synthetic roofing products are a safe option for homes in wildfire-prone regions.

4. UV and Weather Resistance

Unlike real wood or asphalt shingles, synthetic materials are weather resistant under intense sunlight or freezing temperatures.

4. Lightweight

Synthetic roofing is significantly lighter than slate or concrete, reducing stress on your home’s structure while still providing superior performance.

5. Energy Efficiency

Advanced insulation properties help regulate indoor temperatures, lowering energy costs during Colorado’s hot summers and cold winters.

6. Aesthetic Appeal

Synthetic cedar shakes mimic the natural beauty of real wood, offering a rustic, elegant look that enhances curb appeal.

The Long-Term Value of Synthetic Roofing Materials

While traditional materials like asphalt, wood, and metal roofs have their merits, they often fall short when compared to synthetic roofing materials in Colorado’s climate.

• Asphalt Shingles: Affordable but prone to hail damage, short lifespans, and UV degradation.

• Wood Shakes: Beautiful but vulnerable to moisture, fire, and pests, requiring constant maintenance.

• Metal Roofs: Durable but noisy during storms and less visually versatile than synthetic materials.

Synthetic roofing materials eliminate these shortcomings, offering homeowners a product that is both durable and cost-effective in the long run.

Elevate Your Home with Synthetic Cedar Shakes

For Colorado homeowners, synthetic cedar shakes are the ultimate choice in roofing materials. Designed to combine beauty and performance, synthetic shakes provide a solution that excels in the state’s extreme conditions.

With styles that mimic the warmth of real wood and durability that outlasts traditional materials, synthetic cedar shakes offer:

• Unmatched Longevity: A roof that lasts decades with minimal maintenance.

• Enhanced Safety: Peace of mind with fire resistance, impact protection, and wind durability.

• Eco-Friendly Construction: Sustainable materials that reduce waste and require fewer replacements.

When it comes to protecting your home and enhancing its beauty, synthetic roofing materials are the clear choice for Colorado’s unique climate. Combining rugged performance with timeless design, synthetic cedar shakes offer everything you need to keep your home safe, energy-efficient, and visually stunning.