Though weather might seem unrelated to roofing, certain conditions can make a roofing project more challenging. Roofing in harsh weather conditions requires additional tools, experience, and expertise to perform the job safely and the right way. Is there a temperature that’s too cold for roofing?
As a seasoned professional roofer, I’ve roofed in the wintertime, and while it’s possible, it’s treacherous and difficult, and I don’t advise doing it unless absolutely necessary. Read on as I explain how the cold affects roofing work and material and at what point you might want to put that roof off until next year.
Ideal Roofing Conditions
A perfect day for roofing should be warm, with minimal wind and no chance of rain. It’s best to do your roofing project in spring, summer, or early fall when the days are long and temperatures range between 70°F and 80°F. When the temperature drops below 40°F, roofing becomes more difficult, if not impossible.
Roofing contractors recommend scheduling roof installations, repairs, or replacements during seasons when average temperatures exceed 50°F and conditions are generally mild and dry. Temperate spring and fall months often provide an ideal climate for roof work. Extreme heat can also pose challenges, but working in cold conditions below 40°F is harder.
Factors like precipitation, wind, and storms can complicate roofing jobs, regardless of season. However, temperature plays a particularly crucial role. Materials react differently to cold, as do workers attempting to install them. Understanding these temperature-related challenges helps explain why this “too cold” threshold exists.
What Are the Challenges of Roofing When It’s Too Cold?
You could easily end up with a poorly installed roof if you work in conditions that are too cold for roofing. Cold temperatures bring numerous roofing challenges, affecting the work in the following ways:
Roofing Materials
Cold temperatures have different effects on the roofing materials you use. Cold can make them brittle and easy to break, affecting the quality of your roof and shortening its life span.
For instance, asphalt shingles tend to lose some of their flexibility, becoming difficult to cut and manipulate. Pneumatic guns will also be affected because they need different pressure settings in cold conditions. Fuel may not atomize properly, causing operational issues.
Another issue you face when roofing in cold temperatures is sealants. Sealants are responsible for sealing the roofing materials together, and sunlight and heat activate them. When installing asphalt shingles in cold weather, the adhesive won’t form a good seal because it won’t reach the needed warmth and elasticity. However, there are alternatives to asphalt shingles that may perform better in cold weather.
Working Conditions
Roofing in harsh conditions reduces productivity. No one does their best work when working in extreme conditions. The extra clothing the workers wear affects their dexterity, making it more challenging for them to complete tasks. Others might opt to cut corners to get the work done quicker and limit their exposure to the cold. Performing strenuous physical labor in freezing temperatures for extended periods is extremely challenging, meaning that workers tire faster, which raises the likelihood of accidents and mistakes.
The presence of ice and snow could make the roof slippery and affect visibility, increasing safety hazards, potential accidents, and injuries. Also, the extra weight caused by the snow could make your roof more likely to collapse, making an already challenging situation worse.
Tips for Roofing in Cold Temperatures
Many people often postpone their roof installation until the summer or spring when the conditions are more favorable and focus instead on preparing their roofs for winter. However, certain situations might make roofing necessary, even during cold temperatures. If that’s the case, you can take a few steps to ensure the roofing is high-quality and installed safely.
Before you start the job, remove snow and any dangerous debris from the roof and the working areas on the ground to prevent injuries and protect the roof’s integrity. Creating a clear workspace minimizes hazards that cold conditions exacerbate.
Guardrails help to protect workers from falling off roofs and steeply angled slopes. The protection they provide becomes even more crucial during cold weather when the focus can waver, and grips weaken.
Use equipment such as lanyards, harnesses, warning lines, deadweight anchors, and more. When workers know they are protected from potential falls, they can focus their attention on the work at hand despite the cold surrounding them.
Hot boxes prevent your roofing products and materials from freezing and are perfect for cold-weather storage, job site heating, winter roofing, and freeze protection. The right cold-weather equipment keeps materials pliable for installation.
Complete as much prep work as possible on warmer days before the cold sets in. This includes tasks like deck repairs, underlayment installation, flashing, and more. It allows the most temperature-sensitive jobs to happen in better conditions.
Investing in shingles, adhesives, and underlayments engineered for cold weather use will improve results in unfavorable temperatures. The right materials make a difference.
So, Is There a Temperature That’s Too Cold for Roofing?
There is certainly a point at which roofing shouldn’t proceed — usually when temperatures drop below 40°F. The materials react poorly to cold, as do the workers trying to install them. Brittle shingles, ineffective adhesives, and many other issues can compromise roofs installed in freezing conditions.
For optimal results, schedule roofing during warmer seasons when average temperatures exceed 50°F. However, unexpected needs sometimes arise, making roofing unavoidable even in cold weather. Special planning, equipment, materials, and workforce precautions can make suboptimal conditions more manageable.
Ultimately, temperature plays a major role in the roofing project’s success. There comes a point when conditions simply become too cold to support a quality, safe roof build or repair. Knowing these limitations helps set reasonable expectations for cold-weather roofing outcomes.
If you need a roof before it gets cold, check out our guide on How To Find a Roofing Contractor.
FAQs About Roofing in Cold Temperatures
What temperature is too cold to shingle a roof?
Once temperatures drop below 40°F, conditions become too cold to install asphalt shingles effectively. The materials lose flexibility, become brittle, and can’t seal properly.
Can you roof a house in the winter?
It’s possible to install roofing during winter, but it’s extremely challenging due to the cold temperatures. Special materials and equipment can help offset conditions, but winter roofing requires more effort and still risks quality issues.
What precautions should you take when installing roofing in the winter?
Using fall protection gear, removing snow/ice hazards before starting, installing guardrails, using hot boxes to store materials, doing preparatory work in warmer weather first, and using cold-rated roofing products can help reduce risk when winter roofing is unavoidable. But waiting for warmer temperatures is best whenever possible.
At what temperature do roofing shingles become brittle?
Once temperatures drop below 40°F, asphalt roof shingles begin losing their flexibility and becoming more brittle. This makes them harder to manipulate during installation and more prone to cracking and other physical damage in cold conditions.
