Roofing contractor in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands.
Garland Contracting installs shingle and steel roofing and repairs leaks on houses, cottages and commercial buildings within 100 km of Sprucedale. A roof here carries snow for months and takes a freeze and thaw every spring.
What a roof has to do here
A roof in cottage country holds a deep snowpack through winter, sheds meltwater in March and April and dries out under shade from tall trees. It has to do all of that without letting water reach the wood below.
A good roof job looks at the whole system: the deck under the shingles or steel, the underlayment, the flashing at every edge and penetration, the vents that let the attic breathe and the finished roof surface. A weak link in any of them shows up as a leak.
Shingle or steel?
| Roof | What to know |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Familiar, easy to find and easy to repair in sections. Cold weather slows installation, because shingle sealing strips need warmth to bond. |
| Steel | Sheds snow and water and needs little upkeep. Snow can slide off in sheets, so snow guards and the placement of entrances matter. |
The photo on this page shows a steel roof job with a crew member on the ladder. Steel suits many cottages, shops and commercial buildings. Shingles suit many homes where owners want a traditional look. We install both and tell you what we would choose for your building.
The layers under the surface
- Roof deck: we replace soft or damaged boards before anything goes on
- Ice and water membrane along the eaves and in valleys, where meltwater backs up
- Underlayment over the rest of the deck
- Drip edge at the eaves and rakes so water leaves the roof and lands in the gutter
- Flashing at chimneys, walls, skylights and vents
- Ventilation so the attic stays cold and snow does not melt from below
The surface gets the attention, but the layers decide how the roof ages. A new roof with old flashing leaks at the old flashing.
Leak repair
A leak seldom sits where the stain shows. Water runs along rafters and the deck before it drips onto a ceiling. We look at the likely entry points first: flashing at a chimney or wall, a nail pop, a worn vent boot, a valley with debris and the roof edge. We track the water uphill from the stain and fix the source.
If water has reached the framing, we repair that too. See our rot repair page.
Commercial and larger roofs
We take commercial contracts for businesses, resorts and lodges, rental and multi-unit properties and property managers, including shingle and steel roofs on commercial buildings. Send the plans, photos or a description of the scope. Dylan walks the site, checks access and safety needs and sets the price.
Cold weather and roofing
Shingles bond to each other through sealing strips that need warmth. A roof laid in deep cold can stay unsealed until warm weather arrives, and wind can lift loose tabs in the meantime. We schedule full re-roofs for the part of the year when the materials bond well, and we make emergency repairs and temporary covers when a leak cannot wait. Steel panels install in a wider range of temperatures, but the crew still needs safe footing.
Snow guards, gutters and where the snow goes
Steel roofs shed snow in sheets. Plan where the snow lands before the roof goes on. We look at entrances, decks, walkways, vehicle spots and fuel tanks, and we place snow guards or adjust the layout. Gutters need the same thought, because ice can tear them away. We talk through these details at the quote.
What a written roofing quote should name
- The roof surface: shingle or steel, and the product line
- The underlayment and the ice and water membrane, and where each goes
- Drip edge, flashing and vent details
- What happens to the old roof and any damaged deck boards
- Gutters and snow guards, if they are part of the job
- Access, scaffold and site protection
A quote that lists the layers lets you compare it with any other. A quote that names only the surface hides the parts that decide how the roof ages. Ask for the layers in writing from any contractor.
Getting a price
Text photos of the roof, the stain inside and any damage to (705) 238-8634, or fill out the form. A larger job gets a site visit. Quotes are free. We carry $2 million in liability insurance and provide a certificate on request.
Questions about roofing
Do you install steel roofing?
Yes. We roof in shingle and in steel, including re-roofs, repairs and leak repair.
Do you roof commercial buildings?
Yes. We take contracts for businesses, resorts and lodges, rental and multi-unit properties and property managers.
How do you find a roof leak?
We trace water from the stain back along the rafters and deck to the likely entry points, such as flashing, vent boots, valleys and the roof edge, and fix the source.
Do you repair the wood under the roof if it has rotted?
Yes. We replace soft deck boards and repair framing that water has reached.
Do you cover my area?
We work within 100 km of Sprucedale: the Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka and the Parry Sound District. Beyond 100 km, call and ask.
What should a roofing quote include?
A good quote names the roof surface, the underlayment, the ice and water membrane, drip edge, flashing and vents, what happens to the old roof and any damaged deck boards, and access and site protection.
Keep reading
Where we do this work
- Roofing in Muskoka
- Roofing in Almaguin Highlands
- Roofing in Sprucedale
- Roofing in Huntsville
- Roofing in Parry Sound
Other services
Request a free quote or call (705) 238-8634. Page updated October 27, 2026.