In an effort to inform our customers about standing seam roofs, and in response to the intensity of the last few winters, we would like to offer the following information:

• Standing seam roofing offers the best option to handle the extremes of New England weather, but it needs to be understood that for the standing seam roof to function properly, two things are essential - proper insulation and proper ventilation

• Excessive heat loss will cause ice build-up.  With build-up, you always run the risk of water migrating and finding its way into the subroof and eventually inside your home.

• The best prevention for any problem is to be sure that you eliminate any possibility of heat reaching the underside of your roof.  This means that you have adequate insulation and ventilation.

• Sometimes- as with the winter we experienced in 2002-03- you may have done all possible and you still find that you are experiencing substantial ice build-up.  In these instances, it is usually the weather conditions with a combination of quick, varying temperatures and precipitation that prevent the snow from releasing as it should.  It is important if you see this happen that you try to assist the releasing process by snow raking out the areas where the snow may be accumulating (in valleys, behind skylights and along the eaves are the usual places).  A fiberglass rake is preferable to a metal one to prevent any damage to the painted surface of the metal.

• As always, we welcome any questions that you may have and encourage you to call us so that we may help you understand the benefits and differences of standing seam metal roofing.