Roof Shingle Installation In Winter

3 things to consider when installing shingle roofing in the cold weather.

Roof shingle installation in winter.

Although there isn t a definite answer to this. In the winter the asphalt shingles are less malleable and will reflect the shape of the shingles when they are packaged bundled and stacked on the roof. Understand that the roofing project will take more time in the winter. It may take several months of radiant heat for the shingles to lay down flat on the roofs surface.

Listed below are three significant factors that you need to consider while installing roof shingles in the winter. Installing on a windy winter day can easily rip off newly installed shingles especially those with self sealing strips which can be compromised in cold temperatures. If you do need a roof replacement in the winter it s always good to ask. Shingles are harder to work with.

Temperature many people may wonder what temperature is too cold for roofing and to install shingles. As an extra precaution hand tabbing adding quarter size spots of adhesive to the bottom of shingles is encouraged. Continue to chalk additional guidelines based on the width of the shingle through at least four courses rows across the roof. Ice and water protector membranes work well to flash and help protect around skylights dormers turbines and other tricky roof areas.

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. So while not the ideal circumstances a roof can be installed in the winter but keep the following things in mind if you find yourself in this situation. Apply flashing materials in concert with the shingle installation procedure with both the flashing and the shingles arranged to work together to protect around the joint areas. Every tab should be sealed with one or two dabs roughly 1 inch in diameter of asphalt roofing cement.

If you re installing roofing shingles in cold weather below these temperatures your shingles may become brittle and more prone to breakage. Use your chalk and tape measure to mark about 12 inches up on the roof for the first set of shingles. According to roofing construction estimating by daniel benn atcheson the best temperatures to install asphalt shingles is between 40 and 85 degrees f 4 and 26 degrees c. Nails need to be installed flush with the shingle not overdriven or under driven.

Starting at the bottom of the roof map out a guideline with chalk. 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.