If you plan on roofing in cold weather, it is important for you to put safety at the top of your priority list.
Installing a roof in the winter can be a bit of a challenge, but as long as you use the right supplies and
equipment, you should put yourself in the best position possible to be successful. What do you need to
know about roofing in winter? Take a look at a few important tips below, and do not hesitate to reach
out to a professional who can help you.
What Temperature Is Too Cold for Roofing?
The best temperature at which to install a roof is between 70 and 80 degrees F. While there is no
temperature that is too cold for roofing, you will start to have issues when the temperature drops below
40 degrees Fahrenheit. A lot of roofing products rely on adhesive materials to stay in place. Anything
that damages these adhesive materials will damage the quality of your roof. Therefore, if you decide to
install a roof in cold weather, you need to make sure that you protect your materials from harm.
Will Shingles Seal in Cold Weather?
Once the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to think carefully about how to
protect your shingles. If you install shingles in freezing temperatures, they may become brittle. As a
result, they may break more easily. Furthermore, the adhesive material on the back of the shingles may
not stick as well, meaning that the roof is prone to leakage.
It is still possible for you to install the shingles when the weather gets cold, but you need to store them
in a warm place until you need them. That way, when you put the shingles on the roof, they are still
relatively warm, and the adhesive material will still stick well. You should try to restore your shingles at a
temperature between 70 and 80 degrees F, but as long as the temperature is above 50 degrees
Fahrenheit, they should still work well.
When you pull your shingles out of the storage area, make sure you put them down carefully. Don’t drop
or throw them on the ground. Because of the cold temperature, they could shatter.
Use Caution With Your Nail Guns
When you use your nail guns in the cold weather, you need to be careful. First, nail guns are known to
jam more frequently when the temperature gets cold outside. Try to keep your nail guns warm if you
want them to work well. Unless you are actively using them, you may want to store them in a warmer of
some sort.
You also need to make sure you don’t break the shingle. Make sure the contact point between your nail
gun and your shingle is flushed. If you try to throw the nails into the shingle at an angle, you could end
up breaking the shingle.
Use the Right Protector Membranes
During the project, you need to use winter weather membranes. Use these membranes to seal vents,
skylights, valleys, eaves, and plumbing pipes. If you use traditional materials, they could buckle or
wrinkle when you apply them in the cold weather. This could place the entire project at risk. Use
membranes that have been specifically designed for winter weather, and you can reduce your chances of
running into complications.
Manage Your and the Client’s Expectations
Roofing projects in the winter tend to take longer because you need to use more caution as you install
the shingles. While it can be frustrating when it takes you longer to install your shingles, it is important to
take your time. Otherwise, you could hurt yourself, or you could put the roofing project at risk. It may
take an extra couple of days to finish the project, but you can still install a solid roof in the cold weather.
That way, you will have a strong, functional, and lasting product that you can be proud of. Furthermore,
you ensure your client is happy, which could lead to a repeat customer.
Count on Fall Protection Distributors for All of Your Roofing Needs
So, can you roof in winter? The answer is yes, but you need to make sure you use the right materials. We
are Fall Protection Distributors, and it would be our pleasure to work with you to make sure all of your
fall protection needs are taken care of.. We understand that it can be a bit of a challenge to install a roof
during the winter, but we can provide you with the safety equipment you need to expedite the process.
Take a look at our selection today, and do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Contact us today to speak to a member of our team!
