By Lori Jerome, PABCO Roofing Products.

The Pacific Northwest is a geographic region in Western North America that is generally considered to include Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Northern California, though there are no specific borders except for the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Rocky Mountains on the east. This region is known for its distinct culture, as well as its unique weather patterns. The National Park Service explains what causes this weather:

The Pacific Ocean generally keeps the weather in the region mild, with cool, wet winters, and warm, dry summers, with extremes in temperature and precipitation being unusual. However, despite the moderating effects of the Pacific Ocean, the mountains are very important in terms of the distribution of precipitation across the region and the development of water storage in the form of a snowpack during the summer drought. The mountain, via topographical lifting and the rain shadow effect, causes some areas to become temperate rainforests, while others become deserts.

Does that sound complicated? It is one of the more complicated and unique climates in the United States. In fact, Cliff Mass, atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington and radio commentator, shared, “The PNW offers the most varied and fascinating weather in the United States, including world-record winter snows, the strongest non-tropical storms in the nation and shifts from desert to rain forest in a matter of miles.”

And the impact of this weather is not limited to the natural features that Cliff highlights. The frequent rain and cool temperatures also create a uniquely challenging environment for contractors to work in.

Roof challenges in the Pacific Northwest

One of the most common issues in the Pacific Northwest is granule loss on asphalt roofing. These granules might seem small, but they are key to UV shielding, fire resistance, and water shedding. What causes granule loss? It can be multiple factors, but in the Pacific Northwest, granule loss often starts with moss and lichen growth.

The cool winters and persistent moisture in the Pacific Northwest create the perfect environment for moss and lichen’s rapid growth on everything – from sidewalks to trees to the rooftop. And when moss and/or lichen grows on a roof, it loosens the granules on the shingles.

Once these granules are loosened, they are far more likely to come off the roof when exposed to things like heavy rainfall – something else the Pacific Northwest’s climate is known for. And if the granules on a roof begin to wash away, it opens a door to a variety of issues.

If this type of shingle damage goes unaddressed, you can risk further complications as the rain begins to infiltrate further into the roofing system and threaten features like underlayment and even the plywood roof deck.

Roof better in the Pacific Northwest

So, as a contractor, what can you do to mitigate the unique climate challenges of the Pacific Northwest and deliver your clients a roof that performs for decades? Encourage them to invest in high-quality products made for the region. A great example of this type of product is PABCO Roofing Products’s Algae Defender® shingle technology.

This technology is designed for wet, cool climates, like that of PABCO’s headquarters in Tacoma, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest. It features copper-infused, ceramic coated granules that are engineered to release small amounts of copper ions when the roof gets wet. These ions counteract cyanobacteria, which are the cause of the blue-green algae that you see on roofs. And by stopping that algae from growing, these shingles also mitigate the growth of roof-damaging lichen and moss, which typically establishes itself by feeding off of the algae’s organic residue.

By choosing products like PABCO’s Algae Defender, roofers in the Pacific Northwest can help their clients avoid unnecessary headaches, save money, and keep their home looking and performing great for years to come.