Adapting Roofing Practices to Meet Evolving Canadian Building Codes

Canada’s diverse climate and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are driving significant changes in construction standards across the country!

Nowhere is this evolution more vital than in roofing, where materials and practices must continuously adapt to protect homes and businesses. Recent revisions to Canadian roofing codes reflect the nation’s commitment to resiliency, safety, and sustainability.

Roofing professionals must keep pace with these shifting standards not only for compliance but to ensure the long-term performance and safety of their projects. The updated Canadian building codes emphasize climate-resilient roofing, modernized material choices, and energy efficiency. Maintaining an understanding of roofing codes is now an essential skill for anyone working in construction or property management.

Climate Change and Building Codes

Growing evidence of climate change—such as more frequent extreme rainfall, strong winds, and hail—has prompted Canadian building authorities to revise codes for better resilience. These revisions include more robust guidelines and requirements for roofing systems, with an emphasis on their ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. In 2020, new certification processes were introduced to verify the resilience of roofs subjected to severe environmental stressors, ensuring Canadian homes remain protected as climate risks rise.

These regulatory updates underscore a broader movement in Canadian construction: building for tomorrow’s climate instead of yesterday’s conditions. By making future-focused adjustments to roofing codes and standards, regulators are taking steps to holistically address the nation’s changing environment and the new risks it presents.

Material Requirements and Installation Standards

Among the most significant updates to the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and other provincial standards are changes in materials and installation methods. Roofing materials now require improved impact resistance, particularly in regions prone to hail and wind damage. The industry is also seeing a push for increased recycled content in roofing products and a move away from materials with poor environmental or performance records.

• Materials must demonstrate higher resistance to impact and severe weather.
• There is a structured increase in the use of recycled and sustainable materials.
• Materials not meeting environmental and performance benchmarks are being phased out.

Installation standards have also become more precise. For example, the OBC now details tighter guidelines on underlayment installation and specifies requirements for flashing around roof penetrations—including chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes. These practices mitigate the risk of water ingress and ensure long-term durability, especially as weather events intensify.

Energy Efficiency Enhancements

Sustainability is another key driver behind the evolving building codes. Updates to the 2025 OBC include stricter energy efficiency rules, particularly for roofing assemblies in both homes and commercial properties. Minimum insulation values (R-values) for attics and roofs have been elevated to reduce energy loss. At the same time, the installation of continuous air and vapour barriers is now required to maximize the thermal envelope’s effectiveness.

Furthermore, the adoption of cool roofing for low-slope and flat commercial roofs helps combat urban heat, reduce air conditioning costs, and lower building greenhouse gas emissions. These measures not only support national climate commitments but also deliver improvements in occupant comfort and affordability through long-term energy savings. Additional details on evolving building codes and their impact on energy efficiency can be found in this CBC report on Canadian building codes and climate adaptation.

Addressing Labour Shortages

An ongoing challenge facing the Canadian roofing sector is a shortage of skilled workers. According to the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), the industry’s ability to meet updated code requirements relies heavily on an available and qualified workforce. To that end, the CRCA is advocating for more flexible immigration policies to augment the skilled labour pool and prevent project delays or quality shortfalls.

This initiative is crucial—not only for the roofing industry but for the broader goal of climate adaptation across the construction sector. Industry groups are working together to improve training programs and attract new entrants to the trade, ensuring Canada has the human capital required to meet ambitious building standards and provide career opportunities in an evolving field.

Staying Informed and Compliant

With roofing codes and standards evolving at a rapid pace, staying up to date is no longer optional for contractors and property managers. Industry publications, such as Roofing Canada Magazine, have become vital tools for tracking new trends and requirements. Professional development, including code-specific workshops and webinars, offers hands-on knowledge that improves quality and compliance on job sites.

Leveraging Industry Partnerships

Collaborating with organizations such as the International Code Council (ICC)—recently authorized to develop Canadian national standards—offers access to cutting-edge resources and actionable guidelines. These partnerships not only improve professional competency but also ensure oversight and quality remain at the forefront of industry development.

Conclusion

Canada’s roofing sector is experiencing an era of proactive innovation driven by climate realities, technological advancement, and evolving safety expectations. As roofing codes change, industry professionals must be prepared to update their material choices, installation practices, and education strategies. By staying ahead of the curve, the roofing industry can provide safer, more resilient, and energy-efficient buildings that will protect Canadians for decades to come.