Replacing your roof means increasing the value of your home, preventing moisture damage, and ensuring your home is energy efficient. If you’re like most homeowners, you’ll only have to replace your roof just once in the span of living in your home. Homeowners assume that this should be planned and done during decent weather.
In the roofing business, there’s the peak season, which spans from late summer through the fall months, and there’s the offseason, which is the winter.
Most homeowners who need a new roof want it done before cold weather sets in. While this is understandable, there are times when replacing or repairing a roof during the colder months is a necessity. For most homes, it’s possible to install a new asphalt shingle roof during the winter, as long as proper precautions are taken. Here are some things to consider:
Get the best prices
What other advantage do you need for a roof replacement than discounted pricing? Roofs are an expensive investment. One benefit of replacing your roof during the winter is that roofers are typically busiest in spring, summer and fall, so you can typically get a roof installed for a lower price during colder months.
Winter weather isn’t always frightful
Although you’ll learn that winter weather can bring its own host of obstacles to a roof replacement, some roofers actually prefer to work in the winter. Summer is peak season for roofers, but if there’s one major disadvantage of working during the peak season, it’s the intense heat.
Working all day on top of a black, sunbaked roof can cause heatstroke, dehydration, dizziness, and fatigue. For roofers, it’s part of the job, but that doesn’t mean they have to like it!
Working in the winter is the preference for some roofing companies, especially in Texas heat.
The Sealant Used for Asphalt Shingles
The majority of homeowners in the U.S., have an asphalt shingle roof. Shingles contain a strip of sealant that interacts with warm temperatures resulting in an automatic seal. Shingles are also nailed down to prevent them from curling up.
In cold temperatures the roofing crew must hand-seal each shingle to ensure the sealant bonds properly. They can’t rely on natural heat from the sun to activate the seal. As any experienced roofing professional knows, hand-sealing takes a bit longer, but it ensures that each and every shingle is sealed.
First Out Roofing is there for you all year
Yes, you can replace your roof during the winter. It may turn out to be in your favor by saving money and scheduling the replacement whenever you want. Keep in mind that the main disadvantage to consider is that if it’s too cold, you may need to reschedule—for the replacement to be done correctly and for the roofers’ safety.
If you know that your roofing system is in need of some repair work, it is never a good idea to put it off for later. This is especially true when the weather becomes unpredictable and the temperatures start to drop. Instead of trying to wait it out, taking the time to make sure everything has been repaired by an experienced roofing contractor can make a great deal of difference.
