At Gutterworks, we work with more than just gutters. We are also licensed, expert roofers, and our years of experience have shown us the value of our hard work. As roofers, we have also seen it all, including faulty roof installations. One big mistake that we have seen some roofers make is installing shingles in the winter. Here are the 4 reasons why we do not install asphalt shingles in the winter.
1) Shingles don’t “stick” in lower temperatures.
Asphalt shingles are ideally installed in weather ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature requirements are especially relevant to the adhesive used to attach shingles. In lower winter temperatures, the adhesive remains solid and won’t allow the shingle to adhere to the roof. The best conditions for installing shingles are when it is just warm enough for the sun to heat the adhesive, creating a proper seal.
2) Asphalt doesn't do well in cold weather.
In general, asphalt, the most popular shingle material, does not function well in the cold. Specifically, certain types of asphalt cannot be mixed, set, or sealed in cold weather because the mix needs to reach an ideal temperature range to work properly. Similarly, asphalt used for road construction is rendered useless in the wintertime. You may notice that potholes rarely get repaired in cold weather. Road crews don't fix roads until warmer weather because the asphalt typically used to complete repairs does not function at low temperatures.
3) Cold weather makes shingles less durable.
Shingles exposed to the cold pre-installation become brittle and break. This damage can happen either before or during the installation. A broken or cracked shingle creates significant problems for a roof. The problems stem from water being able to enter the crack or the area of the break. The water can freeze, expanding any cracks and making the roof and house more vulnerable to water damage.
4) Shingles become harder to work within the cold.
Even if a shingle does not break or crack during installation, the material can become less flexible and harder to cut. The shingle may even curl, with a lack of flexibility making the problem worse. Some roofers install curled shingles in the cold of spring, hoping that the summer heat will activate the adhesive and cause the shingles to lay flat. We take pride in the quality of our work and rely on our expertise to guide the proper installation of shingles.
5) There are other options.
Asphalt shingles are not an option if we are installing a roof in the winter. However, at Gutterworks, if you need a metal roof installation, we may be able to accommodate that. We are also available to work on other maintenance and repair projects involving gutters in the colder weather.
If your asphalt-shingle roof is close to needing a replacement, be sure to contact us before lower temperatures strike! Being stuck with a faulty roof you cannot replace in cold weather could lead to disaster. Gutterworks has a team of qualified roofers that take pride in a job done correctly. As such, we do not install asphalt shingles in the winter. Contact us at (304)848-9870 with any questions you have about a maintenance plan for your roof today.
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