3 Things To Know About Replacing A Roof In The Winter

When it comes to replacing a roof, sometimes you need to replace your roof in the winter. However, spring and summer are often considered better times to replace your roof because of the prime outside conditions. However, it is still possible to replace a roof in the wintertime.

Thing #1: Easy to Find a Roofing Contractor

First, when you install a new roof in the winter, you shouldn't have any problem finding a roofing contractor to work with. Roofing contractors are the busiest from early spring through late fall.

Roofing jobs, beyond repairs, tend to decrease in the wintertime, so you shouldn't have any problem finding a roofing contractor to work with. Roofing contractors are generally eager to work in the winter and keep their employees employed.

Thing #2: Higher Costs

Second, when you hire a roofing contractor in the winter, you may experience slightly higher installation labor costs for the project. The somewhat higher labor costs are due to the additional preparation required and the additional safety measures that need to be taken.

For example, if your roof is covered with snow or ice, the roofing contractors will have to remove the snow and ice before they get to work, adding extra prep work to the job. Additionally, the cold and wet weather may require roofing contractors to take additional precautions and safety measures to keep everyone safe during the installation process. 

The extra prep work and extra safety measures may slightly increase the labor costs of installing a roof in winter.

Thing #3: Properly Prepare Materials

Third, when you install a roof in the winter, you need to prepare the material properly. With shingles, that means storing the shingles in a warm location until you need them. By keeping the shingles warmer, the risk of the shingles getting brittle or breaking decreases. 

When you store the shingles, make sure that they are stored on raised pallets above the ground. Make sure they are stacked nice and flat, as shingles can easily mold to the shape of whatever they are sitting on. 

The shingles need to be carefully moved around in cold weather, not carelessly tossed.

For the membrane, you will want to use a winter weather membrane on your roof instead of a warm-weather membrane. A winter weather membrane will not wrinkle or buckle under the cold temperatures. When you use the membrane, be sure to roll it out and allow the material to relax, and then secure it in place.

You can replace your roof in the winter. You may pay slightly higher labor costs, but you shouldn't have any issue finding a qualified roofing contractor to install your roof. Be sure to store the shingles somewhere warm until they go on your roof and use a winter weather membrane to seal around structures on your roof.  

To learn more, reach out to a local roof contractor.


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