Roofing Shingles In Cold Weather

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

Roofing shingles in cold weather.

Owens corning roofing recommends the following procedures for additional fastening strength and wind blow off resistance when shingles are installed during cold weather. 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. 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.

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 you re installing roofing shingles in cold weather below these temperatures your shingles may become brittle and more prone to breakage. This makes the use of safe footwear and fall arrest equipment even more critical. It will become harder to bend the shingles and to cut them straight.

One other alternative that some believe is the best roof material for snow is fiberglass asphalt shingles. Handle the shingles with care and caution. Third there s the question of whether shingles can be installed in cold weather. This may mean that your roof install won t be up to standard and will fail sooner than it should.

The sealant on shingles installed in cold weather may not activate right away. The roof surface is more slippery in winter and roofers need to be fully prepared to stay safe in harsh conditions. Roofing in cold weather is more dangerous than roofing on a sunny and clear day. When working below 70 f the adhesive may not reach the ideal elasticity and will not create a perfect seal.

In winter applications there may be nearly invisible ice or frost. When roofing in cold weather you run the risk of materials becoming brittle and breaking. Shingles behave differently when are exposed to long term cold temperatures. It may not activate until spring.

Be very careful when working on sloped roofs. The asphaltic material in the shingle may lose its flexibility and resistance as the temperature goes down. 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. However for the best protection it is important to use architectural shingles.

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.