Roofing Across the Midwest: How Sherriff Goslin Adapts to Different Climates & Communities

Roofs might look alike at first, but trust us, every state tells a different story. The secret to a great roof isn’t just quality materials, although our Art-Loc® shingles can certainly stand up to any test. It’s knowing what you’re up against.

That’s exactly what we at Sherriff Goslin Roofing have mastered over more than a century in business. With branches across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, our team has learned to read the weather like a seasoned forecaster.

In this guide, we share our experience and knowledge about roofing in the United States across the four states we call home. 

Your Roofing Roadmap: What States We'll Explore

• Roofing in Michigan: Where It All Began
• Roofing in Ohio: Balancing Tradition & Innovation
• Roofing in Indiana: Four Seasons of Challenges
• Roofing in America: Done Right, Everywhere We Go

Roofing in Michigan: Where It All Began

We’ve been building roofs since 1910, when Fred Sherriff and B.G. Goslin teamed up with one simple goal: create a roofing company people could trust. Michigan is where our story started and where our passion for roofing took shape. 

The state’s unpredictable mix of snow, wind, and rain taught us how to design roofs that could take a beating and still look great years later. Every job we’ve done here has reinforced one simple truth: when you can build for Michigan, you can build anywhere.

A State Known for Harsh Winters & Roof-Wrecking Storms

Winters in Michigan are relentless. Roofs endure months of heavy snow, ice buildup, and strong winds sweeping off the lakes. Each storm adds more stress, testing every layer from the shingles to the underlayment. 

Then, when the snow finally melts, runoff finds weak points fast, exposing problems in roofs that weren’t built with Michigan weather in mind. After that comes the spring thaw and the constant cycle of freezing and melting that repeats throughout the season. It’s tough on roofs, but it’s also a test of skill for roofers who know how to prepare for it. 

Combating Ice Dams & Lake-Effect Snow

As snow melts and refreezes near the roof’s edge, thick ice dams form, trapping water and forcing it beneath the shingles. That’s why we focus on balanced ventilation, strong insulation, and watertight barriers that stop leaks before they start. Lake-effect snow is unpredictable, but preparation and smart design make the difference between a roof that struggles and one that stands firm all winter.

Sherriff Goslin’s Home-State Advantage

• Our crews have decades of hands-on experience with Michigan winters.
• We use high-performance underlayment and proper ice barrier installation.
• Our patented Art-Loc shingles interlock to resist water infiltration beneath snow and ice.
• Preventive inspections help catch small issues before the freeze sets in.

Handling Free-Thaw Cycles

The constant freeze-thaw rhythm of Michigan weather can wear out a roof faster than most homeowners realize. As shingles expand and contract, they loosen nails, stress adhesives, and create tiny gaps where water seeps in. That water freezes again and widens those gaps even more. Over time, it can cause cracking, curling, and leaks if left unchecked.

Art-Loc Shingles: How the Michigan-Made Classic Tackles Free-Thaw

• The interlocking diamond design prevents shingle movement during expansion and contraction.
• SBS polymer flexibility allows each shingle to bend instead of cracking in cold weather.
• Class 4 impact resistance stands up to ice and debris damage during winter storms.
• The tight seal design keeps water out even when temperatures shift from freezing to thawing.

Why Insulation, Ventilation & Shingle Quality Matter

A strong Michigan roof starts beneath the shingles. Without proper insulation and ventilation, warm air rises and creates uneven melting across the roof surface. That heat loss leads to condensation, rot, and the ice dams homeowners dread. Quality shingles only work their best when the system below them is balanced, so we focus on full-roof performance, not just the top layer.

Sheriff Goslin Attic Ventilation Video

In the video below, we walk through how proper attic ventilation helps control moisture, stabilize indoor temperatures, and extend the lifespan of a Michigan roof.

Roofing in Ohio: Balancing Tradition & Innovation

Ohio’s communities have their own rhythm, and we’re proud to be part of it. In Dayton, Cincinnati, and Mansfield, you’ll find a mix of classic Midwestern architecture, growing commercial districts, and neighborhoods that value quality craftsmanship. Each area has its own character, but they all share one challenge: weather that changes faster than you can plan for.

Our approach to roofing in Ohio blends trusted techniques with modern innovation. The climate brings humid summers, storm-heavy springs, and cold, wet winters, so every roof we install has to handle it all. We focus on materials and methods that match local conditions while maintaining the character and style that make Ohio homes and businesses stand out.

Midwestern Weather & Its Roofing Impact

Roofing in Ohio means working through every kind of weather the Midwest can deliver. In the spring, thunderstorms roll through with driving rain and strong winds. Summer brings long stretches of heat and humidity, while fall often delivers unpredictable temperature swings. By winter, the state settles into snow, freezing rain, and ice that test a roof’s endurance from every angle.

We’ve learned to plan ahead for that constant change. The roofs we install are built to breathe in the heat, shed water in the rain, and stay sealed when temperatures drop below freezing. It’s about building systems that adapt, so they perform all year, not just in one season.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles & Roof Expansion

Ohio’s winters may not rival Michigan’s intensity, but the freeze-thaw cycle here can be just as damaging. Rapid temperature changes cause materials to expand and contract, loosening fasteners and creating gaps where moisture sneaks in. Our installation methods and shingle systems flex with those shifts, keeping roofs sealed tight and damage-free.

How We’ve Brought Michigan Free-Thaw Prevention to Ohio

• We’ve adapted Michigan’s cold-weather roofing methods for Ohio’s milder but unpredictable winters.
• Flexible underlayment and sealants move naturally with temperature swings to prevent cracking and leaks.
• Our interlocking installation keeps moisture from seeping in during sudden thaws or spring rains.
• Each Ohio roof includes balanced ventilation to minimize ice buildup and condensation year-round.

Storm Seasons & Roof Resilience

Southern and central Ohio see their share of powerful storms each year, with lightning, hail, and heavy rain testing the strength of every roof. The quick shifts between dry heat and high humidity can cause shingles to loosen or warp. That’s why we focus on secure fastening, sealed flashing, and high-performance underlayment that hold up through the harshest conditions.

How Art-Loc Shingles Handle Storms in Ohio’s Plains

• The diamond interlocking design locks shingles together, resisting wind uplift during intense storms.
• SBS polymer construction adds flexibility and strength against hail and flying debris.
• Class 4 impact resistance helps prevent cracking and granule loss after severe weather.
• Scotchgard™ protection keeps shingles clean and streak-free through Ohio’s humid summers and rainy seasons.

Heat, Humidity & Energy Efficiency

Summers in Ohio can feel endless, and the combination of heat and humidity puts roofs under stress. Prolonged exposure to sunlight fades color and dries out older materials, while trapped heat raises indoor temperatures. We counter that with reflective shingles, balanced ventilation, and insulation that keep homes cooler and more efficient through the warmest months.

How Our Roofing Installations Keep Homes Safe

In the video below, you’ll see our crew in action during a standard roof installation, showing the care, precision, and attention to detail that go into every Sherriff Goslin project.

Roofing in Indiana: Four Seasons of Challenges

Indiana was built on hard work, tradition, and pride in craftsmanship, values we share at Sherriff Goslin Roofing. Historic homes, small-town neighborhoods, and city skylines all tell their own story through the roofs above them. We see traditional pitched asphalt shingles and modern metal systems alike, each designed to handle the cycle of heat, cold, wind, and rain. 

Here in the Hoosier State, roofing is about preparing for every season the Midwest delivers. One month brings steady rain, the next a blanket of snow, and before long, spring winds sweep across the plains. Each season leaves its mark, so every roof has to be ready.

Weather Patterns That Test Every Roof

Indiana’s weather shifts fast, and every season brings something that tests a roof in a different way. Winters bring heavy snow and ice, spring storms bring sudden downpours, summer humidity traps heat and moisture, and fall winds expose weak shingles and flashing. These back-to-back conditions make it critical for roofs to handle expansion, contraction, and drainage without losing integrity.

Because of these extremes, roof systems in Indiana need insulation that controls heat loss, underlayment that resists moisture, and shingles that can withstand temperature swings and high winds. Each layer of the system plays a role in protecting against the state’s unpredictable climate year after year.

Heavy Rain & Flash Flooding

In Indiana’s spring season, downpours arrive quickly, and clogged gutters or poor drainage can cause water to back up under shingles or pool around valleys and flashing. Without proper slope and sealing, that water finds its way inside, leading to leaks and wood rot over time. Preventing that kind of damage starts with quality materials and precise installation.

How We Handle Heavy Rain in Indiana

• Conduct full roof inspections before storm season to identify weak points.
• Use watertight underlayment and flashing to guard against seepage.
• Design slopes and drainage paths that keep water moving off the roof fast.
• Install and maintain gutter systems that can handle Indiana’s rainfall volume.

Tornado-Season Durability & Storm Response

When tornado season hits the Midwest, roofs in Indiana take the brunt of it. High winds, hail, and flying debris can lift, tear, or puncture shingles in seconds. Storm-rated systems with reinforced fastening and impact-resistant materials can hold tight even under pressure. Preparation and prevention keep a roof in place when the sky turns dark.

How Art-Loc Shingles Fight Against Tornadoes

• Interlocking Design: Creates a secure, sealed system that resists wind uplift.
• Class 4 Impact Rating: Stands strong against hail and debris impacts.
• SBS Polymer Flexibility: Allows shingles to bend under pressure without cracking.
• Proven Wind Resistance: Certified to perform in gusts up to 110 mph, protecting roofs during severe storms.

Heavy Snow Loads & Ice Dam Prevention

Snow is a fact of life in Indiana, and so are the problems it brings. When heat from inside the home melts snow unevenly, it refreezes along the roof edges and forms ice dams. Those ridges block proper drainage and force melting water under shingles, which leads to leaks and damage inside. Strong framing, balanced ventilation, and insulation are the keys to stopping ice dams before they start.

Sherriff Goslin on Ice Dams

In the video below, you’ll see our team on the news explaining how ice dams form, why they’re so damaging, and what homeowners can do to prevent them during Indiana winters.

Roofing in America: Done Right, Everywhere We Go

From Michigan’s snow-covered neighborhoods to the hearts of Indiana and Ohio, we take pride in protecting homes and businesses throughout the Midwest. Every roof we install reflects our commitment to quality, safety, and craftsmanship that lasts. 

No matter the weather, no matter the region, our team brings the same care and dedication to every project we take on.

Contact Sherriff Goslin for Your Next Roof

Your roof deserves more than a quick fix, it deserves trusted professionals who treat your home like their own. Contact Sherriff Goslin Roofing today to schedule a free inspection or estimate. Our team will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and make sure your next roof is one you can count on for decades to come.