Freeze-Thaw Damage Explained: How Michigan Winters Affect Asphalt & Metal Roofs

If you live in the Livonia, Canton, or Brighton, Michigan, areas, you experience a winter that’s not only cold but also unpredictable. One day it’s snowing, the next day it’s warming up and melting everything, and then it refreezes overnight. That constant swing is a big reason winter roof damage in Michigan shows up so often in January and February.

Homeowners usually don’t notice the problem right away. Instead, you’ll spot small signs—an attic that smells damp, a drip near a bathroom vent, or a stain that gets darker after a thaw. Winter roof damage in Michigan often starts slowly, but freeze-thaw cycles can cause it to spread fast.

What Freeze-Thaw Cycles Really Do to Your Roof

A freeze-thaw cycle is exactly what it sounds like: snow and ice melt during a warmer stretch, then refreeze when temperatures drop again. That expansion and contraction can put stress on roofing materials and weak points.

Over time, freeze/thaw roof damage can include:

• Cracked or lifted shingles
• Shifting around flashing and roof edges
• Gaps where water can sneak in
• Extra strain in valleys where water flows the most

If your roof is already aging, these cycles are usually when problems go from “fine for now” to “we need to fix this.”

Why Asphalt Roofs Struggle in Extreme Winter Swings

Asphalt shingles are popular across Michigan, but they’re also more vulnerable to freeze-thaw stress. During frigid weather, shingles can become stiff and brittle. When the temperature jumps up and down, that movement can cause multiple issues.

Here’s how winter roof damage in Michigan often affects asphalt roofs:

Cracking & Granule Loss

When shingles freeze hard, they can crack under pressure from shifting snow or ice. As the roof warms up, those cracks widen. Granules may also loosen, which makes shingles wear out faster.

Shingle Shifting & Wind Lift

As the adhesive strip weakens with age, thawing can soften it, and refreezing can tighten it again. That constant motion can lead to lifted edges—especially if winter wind hits at the same time.

Ice Dams  

This is one of the biggest winter headaches in Michigan. Ice dams form when snow melts on a warmer section of the roof, runs toward the colder edge, and refreezes. That ice can build up and trap more melting water behind it.

Once water gets backed up, it can work under shingles and cause ice dam roof issues, such as:

• Ceiling stains
• Wet insulation
• Peeling paint
• Moldy attic smells

For many Michigan homes, this is the moment winter roof damage becomes impossible to ignore.

How Metal Roofs Handle Freeze-Thaw Conditions

Metal roofing typically performs better during extreme temperature swings because it sheds snow faster and doesn’t absorb moisture. When snow slides off more easily, you’re less likely to get heavy buildup that melts, refreezes, and creates backup at the eaves.

Metal roofs can still develop problems if installation details aren’t done correctly, but overall, they offer strong advantages when compared to asphalt.  

For example, metal roofing:

• Has a smoother surface that helps reduce snow piling
• Features fewer materials that crack from freezing temperatures
• Sheds water more quickly during thaws

These advantages can reduce the stress that freeze-thaw cycles cause over time.

Our Premium Metal Roofing Options  

When you’re ready to upgrade, JW Roofing offers metal roofing designed for serious winter performance. We install four metal roofing styles, including shingles/slate, tiles, shakes, and vertical panels. We’re fully licensed and insured, and our roofing technicians are highly trained. We also stand behind our metal roofing installations with ironclad labor warranties.

Need help budgeting? Take advantage of the 0% financing options with payments as low as $100 a month that are available.

Schedule a Winter Roof Inspection in MI

During the freeze-thaw season, roof issues usually get worse the longer they’re ignored. If you’re seeing leaks, stains, or signs of ice buildup, now’s the time to act on winter roof damage before it turns into a larger issue.

Call JW Roofing today to schedule an inspection at your home in the Livonia, Canton, or Brighton, MI, areas.