Roofing Shingles In Cold Weather

The sealant on shingles installed in cold weather may not activate right away.

Roofing shingles in cold weather. Handle the shingles with care and caution. One other alternative that some believe is the best roof material for snow is fiberglass asphalt shingles. Recommendations for installation of asphalt roofing shingles in cold weather be sure to follow the manufacturer s installation instructions carefully as most building codes require. When roofing in cold weather you run the risk of materials becoming brittle and breaking.

The short answer is yes but with some precautions. The roof surface is more slippery in winter and roofers need to be fully prepared to stay safe in harsh conditions. Asphalt 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. Be very careful when working on sloped roofs.

If you re installing roofing shingles in cold weather below these temperatures your shingles may become brittle and more prone to breakage. The temperatures and conditions to activate the sealant will vary by manufacturer and it s also possible that while the shingles on the southern exposure may seal those on northern slopes may not. It will become harder to bend the shingles and to cut them straight. This may mean that your roof install won t be up to standard and will fail sooner than it should.

Owens corning roofing recommends the following procedures for additional fastening strength and wind blow off resistance when shingles are installed during cold weather. This makes the use of safe footwear and fall arrest equipment even more critical. Third there s the question of whether shingles can be installed in cold weather. Extra care should be taken when handling and or installing asphalt shingles when the air and surface temperatures are at or below 40 f 5 c.

If the temperature dips below freezing frost ice and snow become a serious safety factor on the roof. It may not activate until spring. However for the best protection it is important to use architectural shingles. In winter applications there may be nearly invisible ice or frost.

Shingles behave differently when are exposed to long term cold temperatures. The asphaltic material in the shingle may lose its flexibility and resistance as the temperature goes down. They must wear a harness and have fall protection systems non slip insulated boots gloves and more. Shingles cracked and broken shingles often lead to water damage one of the more serious problems with roofs.

Yes asphalt shingles can still be installed successfully in cold weather providing a few important changes are made to the usual practices.