Can You Replace a Roof in Winter?
"Now the problem is, that money is currently tight and we are looking to understand if this needs to be done before the winter, we do get a good amount of snow up here."
A homeowner in a roofing thread wrote that, and it is the doubt behind this search. Yes, a roof can be replaced in winter. There are no specific temperature guidelines for when it is too cold to install asphalt shingles1, so the roofer's plan for cold shingles, sealing and snow matters more than the month.
Quick answer:
- Ask each roofer, in writing, how the shingles will seal in the cold.
- Ask where the shingles are stored and how the crew handles ice and snow.
- Photograph any damage now, and take reasonable steps to protect the property2 if the roof is leaking.
- Compare several written proposals before you agree to a start date.
Today you control one thing: how clearly each roofer answers the five questions below.
Does cold ruin new shingles?
Not by itself, but cold creates two real problems: brittle shingles and slow sealing, and both have known workarounds.
First, brittleness. Asphalt shingles become brittle in the cold, but breakage can be minimized or eliminated if they are stored in a warm area and loaded onto the roof a few bundles at a time1.
Second, sealing. Shingles stick to each other with self-sealing strips, and those strips may not seal or bond sufficiently in cold temperatures1. The fix is hand-tabbing, which means quarter-size dabs of adhesive under the shingles, and it is recommended for homes in areas prone to high winds1.
This matters because the strength of the seal between shingles is the most important factor in how self-sealing shingles perform in high wind3. One commenter wrote:
"I recently had my roof replaced and several roofers said that summer is a better time to replace roofs because the heat helps the glue stick or something like that."
The glue is the sealing strip, and the cold can keep it from bonding1. Ask how the roofer will make sure it bonds.
Want to picture the whole job, from tear-off to the final walkthrough? Roof replacement process: what to expect and get in writing.
What to ask the roofer in writing
Put these five questions to every roofer, and ask for the answers on paper.
- How will the shingles seal in the cold: hand-tabbing or another plan?
- Where are the shingles stored, and how are they loaded onto the roof?
- How does the crew handle ice, snow and wind? Winter work brings slippery surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold4.
- What goes along the eaves? In cold climates, building codes often require a self-adhered membrane on the roof deck along the eaves5 as an extra barrier against leaks from ice dams. Whether it is required depends on the code where you live5.
- Can I see your license, proof of insurance and a written contract? Confirm the license with your state or county government, ask for proof of insurance and get a written contract6.
A reply in another roofing thread put the winter rule in one line: "They can be done in the winter but they should be hand sealed for winter installs."
Also ask for the payment schedule, meaning what you pay at each stage, and for a signed change order before any extra work is added. You can send this:
Please write in your proposal how the shingles will seal in cold weather, what goes along the eaves, and what I pay at each stage. If you find hidden damage, please send me a photo and a price before doing any extra work.
If a roofer pushes you to sign today, or won't put this in writing, that is an answer too. Get more quotes and weigh that roofer against the ones that do.
Should you replace now, or can the roof last the winter?
It depends on whether the roof is leaking now and what a roofer finds, not on the calendar alone. A leaking roof is a reason to get proposals now, even if the work itself starts later. If the roof is not leaking and money is currently tight, you have room to compare.
- Leaking or storm-damaged: photograph or videotape the damage, then take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage2 and keep your receipts. If the work waits for spring, ask the roofer what temporary protection they will put on the roof until then, and get it in writing.
- Money is tight: ask each roofer whether the price and the scope stay the same if the start moves to spring, and get that in writing too.
- Insurance is in the picture: ask your insurer or agent how your policy treats the age and condition of your roof, and what it needs before work starts. They can answer whether a loss is covered2.
Could a repair carry the roof through the winter, or is it past that point? Roof repair or replacement: how to tell which.
Quick questions
Is $30,000 too much for a roof?
Ask for a written proposal that lists each item, and compare several. What the roofer finds under the old roof can change the job, so ask what happens to the price if hidden damage turns up.
What is the 25% rule for roofing?
It is a local building-code matter7. San Diego's bulletin is one example. In Florida, the code says no more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section may be repaired, replaced or recovered in 12 months unless the whole roofing system or section meets the code8. Ask the roofer to note in the proposal whether a rule like this applies to your roof.
Does a 20-year-old roof need to be replaced?
Age alone doesn't settle it. Most new roofs are designed to provide useful service for about 20 years, and actual life depends on climate, design, materials, installation and maintenance1. Ask a roofer to inspect the condition of yours before you decide.
How old can a roof be before insurance says it's too old?
There is no single age. Roof age and condition are among the biggest factors in how an insurer pays for roof replacement, and a roof over 20 years old must pass an inspection with most insurers when you apply for coverage9. That point applies to applying, not to claims, and insurers differ, so ask yours.
Sources
1. National Roofing Contractors Association, Resources (FAQ)
2. Insurance Information Institute, How to file a homeowners claim
3. Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, Wind Uplift of Asphalt Shingles
4. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Winter Weather
6. FTC, Four ways to avoid scams after a weather-related disaster
7. City of San Diego Development Services, Information Bulletin 123
9. Insurance Information Institute, How Your Roof Influences Your Home and Business Insurance
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