Canadians are distinguished by their obsession with hockey and overuse of "sorry" - a few things. Did you know roofs are also one of those things? Although they are not made out of beaver fur and carved from an igloo roof, there are some things Canadians should think about when it comes to roofing.

Although there may be some exceptions to this rule (think Victoria and Vancouver), Canada is cold. With cold weather comes unique challenges in the roofing industry, and special attention must be given to roof performance under winter conditions.

Many roofs are specifically designed for people living in warmer climates. This can create condensation problems and mold problems. It is important to find advice that is relevant to your location when searching online.

Canadian roofing companies need to consider ice. A dam underlay is an important underlay that can be used to prevent ice buildup. An underlay is waterproof roof membrane that acts as a water and ice protector. It protects roof areas at risk from water and ice damage. An ice and water protector should always be installed before other underlayments, and if installing around chimneys or other roof features, it should be placed below the flashing.

It is important to have proper attic ventilation due to the extra water and ice protection that Canadian roofs require. Correct ventilation prevents moisture from building up in your roof, which can help prevent future condensation problems. The ideal attic ventilation openings should have 50% continuous soffit vents. The remaining 50% should be ridge, gutter, or roof vents.