Getting A New Roof In The Winter

The temperature needs to be taken into consideration because at extremely cold temperatures asphalt shingles can become brittle and break.

Getting a new roof in the winter.

Having a new roof installed in the winter can be done. Contractors are typically hesitant to install new roofs during the winter for three reasons. Air temperature isn t the same as the roof temperature. Metal roof installation is fine during the winter.

New shingle roof installations can be done at above freezing temperatures during the winter so long as the roofer is experienced and knowledgeable in colder weather installations. The pressure on the nail gun needs to be set correctly. For shingles projects the adhesives become the biggest concern in lower temperatures. Finally the crew leader is responsible for deciding if the roof is tabbing or not and if cold weather precautions hand seal should be taken.

Winter weather can cause small cracks to turn into larger ones and also encourage more to appear. To avoid this issue a roofer can keep most bundles of shingles in a warm dry place and only pull out a few bundles at a time. Since shingles are attached with a sealant also known as the tar line they need to acclimate in relatively warm temperatures in order to fully seal. Sometimes the seriousness of the roof situation outweighs the risk of doing the job in winter but in most cases it s wise to wait until the temperature is above freezing.

The approach is a bit different in the winter where sunlight in new england is a bit scarce. Installing a new roof during very cold conditions is never ideal. Because work is limited during the winter season contractors compete for work and lower their prices to get the job. Why winter roofing is typically avoided.

Metal doesn t use these adhesives so winter has no impact on our process. Winter roofing is complicated. Weather adhesives and tools all of which are intertwined with one another. Some roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or rubber roofs need to be installed when the temperature outside is above 40 degrees.

In fact winter is the best time for homeowners to have a new roof installed as you will get the best roof prices as well as a choice of the best roofing contractors. Although tools and materials do have sub optimal performance the right crew can do it in weather that is above freezing and not snowing or raining. The metal roof installation process varies from other materials like shingles. If you do need a roof replacement in the winter it s always good to ask.

Arguably the biggest pro of winter roof repairs is that you re getting to your roof before small problems turn into big ones. In the winter time a professional roofing contractor may choose to hand seal the shingles with an approved asphalt roofing cement or other adhesive that s provided by the manufacturer.