Roofing in Fly-In Communities: How We Replaced Two Teacher Housing Roofs in North Spirit Lake

Roofing in fly-in communities across Northern Ontario is a completely different job than a Winnipeg backyard. Every shingle, fastener, and tool has to be flown in ahead of time, and the crew has one shot to get it right. In late summer, Flip Flop Construction replaced two full teacher housing roofs in North Spirit Lake First Nation in two and a half days, using an ice and water shield plus a synthetic underlay build designed for cold-climate durability.

Right before the school year started, we got a call from North Spirit Lake First Nation.

Two teacher housing units had leaking roofs. Staff were moving in soon, and the buildings needed to be sealed up before the weather turned. We got there fast and got to work.

The Project at a Glance

• Location: North Spirit Lake First Nation, Northern Ontario (fly-in community)

• Scope: 2 full roof replacements on teacher housing units

• Timeline: 2.5 days on site

• Materials shingled: 255 bundles across both buildings

• System installed: Full ice and water shield + synthetic underlay + new shingles

• Purpose: Move-in ready housing for incoming teaching staff before winter

How does roofing work in a fly-in community?

Every material and every tool has to be shipped in ahead of the crew. There are no hardware runs, no backup supply flights, and no margin for missing fasteners. The whole project is planned down to the box before anyone leaves the mainland, and the crew lands ready to work from hour one.

That is the entire difference between a city roof and a remote community roof. In Winnipeg, a missing bundle is a 20-minute trip. In North Spirit Lake, a missing bundle is a full day of lost work and a scheduled cargo flight.

The Work: What a Full Cold-Climate Roof Replacement Actually Involves

Both units needed full replacements, not repairs. Here is how we built them.

1. Full tear-off

We stripped the old shingles and underlay off both buildings, right down to the roof deck. Every old nail was pulled or hammered flush. Any soft or damaged decking would have been flagged at this stage.

Doing a clean tear-off matters. Shingling over old material is one of the fastest ways to trap moisture and shorten a roof's life, especially in a cold climate.

2. Ice and water shield across the full deck

Ice and water shield is a self-sealing waterproof membrane that goes directly onto the deck. On both North Spirit Lake buildings, we ran it across the full roof surface, not just the eaves and valleys.

In Northern Ontario winters, ice dams and driven snow force water uphill under shingles. Full-deck ice and water shield is the single most important upgrade you can make on a cold-climate roof.

3. Synthetic underlay for added protection

On top of the ice and water shield, we added a full layer of synthetic underlay. Synthetic outperforms felt in the north because it does not tear, does not absorb moisture, and holds up better under long freeze-thaw cycles.

4. Shingles installed to spec

We shingled 255 bundles across both buildings in two and a half days. Every course was nailed to manufacturer spec, valleys were properly woven, and flashing at penetrations was sealed.

Speed only works when the crew is one team. One point of contact, one plan, no subcontractors, no coordination gaps.

Why does ice and water shield matter so much in Northern Ontario?

Because ice dams push water backward, uphill, under the shingles. Regular felt underlay cannot stop that. Ice and water shield seals around nails, sticks directly to the deck, and creates a waterproof barrier even when the shingles themselves are compromised. In a fly-in community where a leak means mould and heat loss for months before anyone can respond, that layer is not optional.

Why This Project Mattered

North Spirit is a fly-in community. That means no hardware runs, no backup supply flights, and no room for mistakes. Everything from shingles to fasteners to tools was shipped in ahead of time. The crew landed ready and worked efficiently from start to finish.

In remote areas, a leaking roof is not just an inconvenience. It risks:

• Water damage to interior walls, ceilings, and insulation

• Mould growth in wall cavities and behind vapour barriers

• Higher heating bills as insulation loses its R value

• Unsafe living conditions for the families or staff inside

These homes needed to be dry, warm, and move-in ready before staff arrived. That is what we delivered. Two fully replaced roofs, sealed up and ready for the season.

What is the best roofing system for Northern Ontario winters?

For most residential and staff housing builds in Northern Ontario, the strongest cost-to-durability build is: full-deck ice and water shield, synthetic underlay across the full deck, quality asphalt shingles rated for cold-weather flexibility, and properly sealed flashing at every valley, vent, and chimney. Metal roofs are also an option in remote communities and can outlast asphalt, but the upfront cost and shipping weight are higher.

Not sure if your roof needs a full replacement or just a repair? Read Roof Repair vs. Reshingle: How to Know What Your Roof Actually Needs.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work in remote and fly-in communities?

Yes. We work across Manitoba and Northern Ontario, including fly-in and seasonal communities. See our full services here.

Do you handle band housing, staff housing, and community builds?

Yes. We have completed roofing, framing, and full builds in remote First Nations communities across both provinces. See more of our northern work here.

What kind of roofing materials hold up best in Northern Ontario?

Asphalt shingles rated for cold-weather flexibility, installed over full-deck ice and water shield and synthetic underlay. Metal is also a strong long-term option in the north.

How do you plan a remote roofing project?

Materials are ordered and staged ahead of time, shipped in by the required transport (barge, ice road, or fly-in), and the full crew arrives ready to work with backup fasteners and tools accounted for.

What is the risk of leaving a leaking roof in a remote community?

Water damage, mould, heat loss, and unsafe living conditions. In the north, small leaks become structural problems fast, especially when repair crews are days away.

Need Roofing Work in a Remote Location?

We work across Manitoba and Northern Ontario, including fly-in and seasonal communities. If you are dealing with leaks, aging shingles, band housing repairs, or emergency work before winter, we can help.

Reach out, and we will build a plan that works for your location and your timeline.

Call 431-777-5219 or book a free quote here.

Learn more about our roofing service here, or read about what you need to know before building a home addition in Northern Manitoba.