Why you should think twice about installing shingles in freezing weather

While winter might be a less common time to schedule roofing work, there's no guarantee that your roof won't give out during the cold months . Most roofing companies are still happy to accept work in the winter, but there's a caveat. Most of the roofing companies we talk to won't install shingles in low temperatures. This isn't just a preference for comfortable working conditions.

Asphalt shingles have temperature requirements for effective installation. While these vary, most have a temperature threshold. If you install shingles at temperatures below this, they often won't install properly.

What to know about shingles and freezing temperatures

While the exact temperature cut-off for shingle installation will vary considerably from one shingle product to the next, there is a general rule of thumb.

"I have been roofing in southwest Ohio for a long time, and in general, we try not to install asphalt shingles if temperatures are below about 40°F," said Adam Yost, CTO of Elevated Roofing & Siding , an Ohio roofing company. "That is the threshold most manufacturers reference, and it lines up with what we see in the field."

Why don't shingles install well in freezing weather?

Roofs work with attic insulation to keep your home warm . While taking the roof off of a home exposes it to low temperatures and winter weather like snow and sleet, the reason that shingles shouldn't be installed in low temperatures is more fundamental: shingles become brittle in cold weather.

"Cold shingles do not bend or flex the way they should," Yost told us. "When you cut them, fold them, or nail them, they are much more likely to crack or fracture." 

Modern shingles aren't just nailed down; they also have a sealing, adhesive strip. This is heat-activated. Aaron Christy, CEO of Indy Roofing & Restoration , an Indiana-based roofing company, told us that this sealant strip needs consistent warm temperatures to seal correctly. "In real-world conditions, that means three to four consecutive days above about 45°F." 

Christy said that his company learned this lesson the hard way. "We had a job early on where the daytime high hit right around 45°F for three days in a row, but those were only the highs, and nighttime temperatures dropped well below that. We installed the roof, and a few days later, a strong windstorm came through. Because the shingles had not fully sealed yet, about 25 shingles were blown off the roof." After reinstalling the shingles, the company adapted its practice to avoid making that mistake again.

Certain techniques can help

While installing shingles in cold weather generally isn't recommended, there are techniques that can help. 

Yost told us that when his team is working in conditions below-40°F, they keep them "stored indoors or in a heated garage overnight so they stay warm and flexible. Ideally, they are kept well above room temperature before installation." The team will also employ specific strategies during installation. "We only bring up small amounts at a time and avoid tossing or stacking them roughly. Careful handling makes a big difference."

That said, if a company offers to install shingles in low temperatures, it could be a red flag. With some products, this will void the warranty. "Most reputable roofing contractors won't install asphalt shingles when temperatures drop below 40°F to 45°F," said Hannah Richter, Marketing Consultant at ADCO Metals , a metal roof manufacturer, "as manufacturer warranties typically become void below this threshold."

Some products do better than others

Shingles can be designed in many different ways, and some shingles have different installation parameters than others. Yost and Christy both mentioned polymer-modified shingles for cold-weather installations. 

Christy said that "these shingles are made using a rubberized polymer-modified asphalt rather than traditional oxidized asphalt. They were originally developed for roofing in Alaska and remain flexible at much lower temperatures. Because of that, they seal better in cold weather and can be installed more safely when temperatures drop."

While polymer-modified shingles do better in cold-weather installs, Yost said that "no asphalt shingle is immune to cold. Even with better products, we still follow strict temperature and handling guidelines to avoid long-term problems."

Some warranties help too. Freedom Roofing, Windows and Siding LLC , one of Yahoo Local's best Toledo roofers , says that its Owens Corning shingles warranties will cover any shingles that blow off due to sealant issues in cold weather. It will come back and repair any shingles that have issues, free of charge.

Additionally, other types of roofs install better in the wintertime. Metal roofs don't have the same temperature requirements. Although if you're installing metal roofs in a very cold climate, don't forget to think about snow guards .

Should I wait until spring for a roof replacement?

Winter conditions vary considerably in different parts of the U.S. While winter in Northern Montana might offer few windows where a roof replacement is viable, in Florida or Arizona, it could offer optimal conditions. 

In colder parts of the country, spring is often an excellent time of year for roofing . If you're looking for a roof replacement in winter and you can afford to wait, then leaving the work until spring may be a good idea. 

That said, in most of the country, a winter roof replacement is very viable — so long as you're patient. If you book a job in wintertime, remember that changing temperatures and winter storms will greatly affect when the job is viable, so stay flexible. 

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