After 27 years of installing and repairing roofs across Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, we’ve learned something important: our climate is uniquely brutal on roofs.
Most people don’t realize just how demanding our weather really is. This isn’t Florida with one hurricane season. This isn’t Arizona with just intense sun. We get hit with everything, all year long.
And your roof takes the beating.
The Real Numbers Behind Our Severe Weather
Let’s start with facts.
Northwestern Illinois experiences 53% more tornado activity than the US average. That’s not a small difference. That’s over half again as much.
Southern Wisconsin faces similar challenges. On April 18, 2025, baseball-sized hail up to 2.75 inches in diameter hammered Fort Atkinson, Edgerton, and Evansville. One storm.
Then, on May 15, 2025, another massive storm system swept through both states. Hail up to 3 inches in diameter hit parts of Illinois. Monroe, Madison, and the surrounding Wisconsin areas got pounded with quarter-sized to baseball-sized hail.
Wind gusts reached 80 mph in some areas. Multiple EF2 tornadoes tore through Wisconsin counties. Roofs across the region were shredded.
According to weather data, rainfall in Freeport has been increasing every decade since 1949. More water means more opportunities for roof damage.
This isn’t occasional bad weather. This is a constant assault on your home’s first line of defense.
The Freeze-Thaw Cycle Nobody Talks About
Here’s what makes our climate especially destructive.
Our winters freeze everything solid. Then it warms up and everything expands. Then freezes again. Then expands. Over and over, all winter long.
This freeze-thaw cycle happens dozens of times each winter in both Illinois and Wisconsin.
What this does to your roof:
Water gets under shingles. When it freezes, it expands. This pushes shingles up slightly. When it thaws, the shingles settle back down, but not quite in the same place.
Repeat this 30-40 times per winter, and shingles start lifting, cracking, and losing their seal.
Flashing around chimneys and vents expands and contracts. Metal gets stressed. Seals break down.
Roof decking (the plywood under your shingles) absorbs moisture, expands, then contracts. After years of this, the decking can warp or rot.
Ice dams form when snow melts on your warm roof, then refreezes at the colder eaves. This ice buildup forces water under shingles and into your home.
Most standard roofing approaches can’t handle this constant stress.
Spring and Summer: Hail Season
If winter doesn’t get your roof, spring storms will try.
April through June is prime hail season across Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. This is when we see the most severe storms.
What hail does to roofs:
Hail doesn’t just dent shingles. It breaks the protective granule layer that shields shingles from UV damage.
Even small hail (pea to quarter-sized) can knock granules loose. Those sandy bits in your gutters? That’s your roof washing away.
Larger hail (golf ball to baseball-sized) can crack shingles completely, exposing the underlayment to weather.
The worst part? Hail damage isn’t always obvious from the ground. You might not notice until months later when leaks appear.
That May 2025 storm that hit Monroe? Properties throughout Green County, Rock County, and Stephenson County all sustained damage. Thousands of roofs needed repair or replacement.
The Wind Factor
People underestimate wind damage.
Our area is constantly windy, especially in spring. It’s not just tornado winds that cause problems. Regular strong winds slowly destroy roofs.
How wind attacks your roof:
Wind gets under the edges of shingles and lifts them. Once a shingle lifts even slightly, the next wind catches it easier. Eventually shingles tear off completely.
Wind-driven rain forces water under shingles in ways that normal rain can’t. This causes leaks even when your roof looks fine.
Debris like branches scrapes across roofs during wind storms, scratching off protective granules.
That August 2025 storm that tore the roof off an apartment building in Mount Prospect? Wind gusts hit 60 mph. Similar winds regularly blow through Freeport, Byron, Janesville, and Beloit.
Your roof is constantly being tested.
Why Standard Roofs Fail Here
Here’s the problem most homeowners don’t understand.
Many roofing materials and installation methods are designed for generic “American climate.” But there’s no such thing as a generic American climate.
A roof that works great in North Carolina might fail in three years here.
What makes our area different:
We need materials specifically rated for freeze-thaw cycles. Not all shingles handle repeated expansion and contraction.
We need installation techniques designed for extreme wind loads. Standard nail patterns aren’t enough in our area.
We need proper ventilation to prevent ice dams. Many older homes in Freeport and Monroe don’t have adequate attic ventilation.
We need quality underlayment that can handle both ice dams and wind-driven rain.
At MAS Roofing, we’ve spent 27 years figuring out exactly what works in Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin conditions.
The Granule Test: Your 60-Second Roof Check
Here’s a simple test everyone should do right now.
Walk outside. Look in your gutters and downspouts. See those sandy, gritty bits?
Those are granules from your shingles. They’re the protective coating that shields your roof from sun and weather damage.
What different amounts of granules mean:
A little bit: Normal. New roofs shed some granules as they settle in. If you just got your roof done, some granules are expected.
A moderate amount: Warning sign. Your shingles are aging and losing protection. Time to get an inspection.
A lot: Major problem. Your roof is actively deteriorating. The underlayment may already be exposed in places.
Bare patches on shingles visible from ground: Emergency. Your roof is failing and needs immediate attention.
Why granules matter: Without granules, UV rays destroy the asphalt in shingles within months. Rain and hail hit bare asphalt directly, causing rapid deterioration.
That’s why we see so many roofs in Freeport, Lanark, Janesville, and Beloit that look okay from the street but are actually in bad shape.
Other Warning Signs to Check For
Beyond the granule test, watch for these problems:
Shingles curling up at the edges. This happens as shingles age and lose flexibility from freeze-thaw cycles.
Missing shingles after storms. Even one missing shingle creates a pathway for water to enter your home.
Light visible through your attic ceiling. If you can see daylight through your roof boards, water can get in too.
Water stains on interior walls or ceilings. By the time you see stains inside, significant damage has already occurred.
Moss or algae growth. Common in shaded areas, this indicates moisture retention that can damage shingles.
Sagging roof lines. This suggests structural problems, possibly from water damage to roof decking or rafters.
Why Waiting Until Problems Are Obvious Costs More
Most homeowners wait too long to address roof issues.
They see a small problem and think “I’ll deal with that next year.” Then next year comes and the problem is three times worse.
How small problems become expensive:
A few missing shingles let water reach the underlayment. The underlayment deteriorates. Water reaches the decking. Decking rots. Now you need decking replacement plus a new roof.
A small leak in your attic goes unnoticed. Water drips for months. Insulation gets soaked and loses effectiveness. Mold grows. Electrical wiring gets damaged. Your heating bills go up.
Your original $10,000 roof becomes a $15,000 roof plus $5,000 in interior repairs plus higher energy bills for months.
The homeowners who save money are the ones who catch problems early.
The Illinois and Wisconsin Advantage: Local Expertise
This is why working with local contractors matters.
We’ve been through every major storm system in Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin since 1998.
We know which materials hold up year after year in our climate. We know which installation methods prevent the most common failures.
We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t through decades of freeze-thaw cycles, hail storms, and wind events.
Our 27-year track record:
We know that standard three-tab shingles don’t last here. We use architectural shingles rated for severe weather.
We know that proper ventilation prevents 80% of ice dam problems. We check and improve ventilation on every job.
We know exactly how to seal flashing so it survives freeze-thaw cycles. Standard methods fail here within 5 years.
We know which underlayments work in our climate. Many products marketed as “premium” fail in our conditions.
This specialized knowledge makes all the difference between a roof that lasts 15 years and one that fails in 8.
What You Should Do Right Now
Don’t wait for the next big storm to discover your roof can’t handle it.
If your roof is under 10 years old: Do the granule test. Check for obvious damage after storms. Schedule a professional inspection if you notice anything concerning.
If your roof is 10-15 years old: Get a professional inspection now. Our climate ages roofs faster than milder areas. What would be a 20-year roof in Georgia might only last 15 years here.
If your roof is 15+ years old: Schedule an inspection immediately. At this age, your roof has survived hundreds of freeze-thaw cycles and dozens of severe storms. Even if it looks okay, problems may be developing.
If you see any warning signs: Don’t wait. A small investment in inspection or minor repairs now prevents major expenses later.
How We Help Homeowners Across Illinois and Wisconsin
We offer free roof inspections throughout our service area.
During inspection, we check every vulnerable point on your roof. We photograph everything. We explain what we find in plain English, not technical jargon.
We’ll tell you honestly if your roof is fine, needs minor repairs, or needs replacement. No pressure. No sales tactics.
If you need insurance claim assistance, we document storm damage properly. We know what insurance companies need to see.
If you need repairs or replacement, we use materials and methods specifically chosen for Illinois and Wisconsin weather. Every roof gets our 15-year workmanship warranty.
And if you’re concerned about cost, we offer financing options that make protecting your home affordable.
Serving Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin
We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout the region.
Illinois: Freeport, Byron, Oregon, Lanark, Polo, Mount Morris, Sterling, Dixon, and all of Stephenson County.
Wisconsin: Monroe, Janesville, Beloit, Evansville, Brodhead, and surrounding Southern Wisconsin communities.
We’re expanding our Wisconsin service area because we know these communities face the same weather challenges as Northwestern Illinois. Same freeze-thaw cycles. Same spring hail. Same constant wind.
Your roof needs to be built for this climate. Not generic “American weather.” This specific, demanding combination of conditions.
Call us at (815) 235-7883 to schedule your free inspection. Or request a proposal online and we’ll respond within 24 hours.
Don’t wait for the next hail storm. Don’t wait for the next harsh winter. Find out now whether your roof is ready for what our climate throws at it.
Because after 27 years of working in Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, we know one thing for certain: our weather doesn’t give roofs a break. And neither should you.
Serving Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin since 1998. Licensed roofing contractor. 15-year workmanship warranty. Regional #1 roofer five years running. Free inspections throughout our service area.