Installing a Marietta Roof in the Winter – Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Winter is a great time for basketball, ice hockey and hot chocolate. But it’s also not a bad time to get a new roof installed on your home. If you have heard otherwise, take a look at some reasons why your Marietta roofing contractor knows that winter roof replacements are a good idea.

Why A Marietta Roofing Contractor Works All Winter Long

For most homeowners, working outside in the winter seems like a bad idea. We often envision winter as too cold, too wet and too windy.

The truth is, a lot of work can be done in the cold and wind, and a good roofer knows how to protect his work and your home from wet snow and rain. Although it may be easier to just pack up and stay home for the winter, an experienced roofer knows how to build a high quality roof in the cold weather.

A Good Marietta Roofing Company Will Work Confidently In The Winter

Any Marietta roofing company will agree that installing a roof in the winter can be more challenging and difficult than a spring or summer job. However, they will also be quick to acknowledge that building a quality roof in the winter can be done successfully with a little extra care and attention.

There are some valid asphalt shingle concerns, when it comes to cold weather installations. But if you understand the issues like a professional roofing contractor does, you will have no worries regarding a winter roof installation.

Here is a list of the most common fears people have about installing an asphalt shingle roof in the winter.

• Severe weather makes it too risky to install roofs during the winter – FALSE
  An experienced roofer can deal with snow and winter rain as effectively as he can deal with summer showers and thunderstorms. A good roofer can protect your home from water and wind, no matter what the season.
• Cold asphalt shingles are too brittle to be installed without breaking – FALSE
  Although it’s true that shingles become more brittle as they get colder, roofing industry experts claim that temperatures have to drop below 0°F before there are handling concerns. Even at temperatures below 0°F, shingles can still be nailed through without cracking or breaking them. At the same time, however, roofers must be careful not to pry or bend extremely cold shingles.
• Asphalt shingles can’t be bonded properly in cold weather – FALSE
  Every shingle has a strip of adhesive on one side that bonds it to the underlying or overlapping shingles. As the shingles are heated by the sun, the adhesive begins to soften and melt. Over a period of days, continued exposure to the sun’s heat eventually dries out, or cures, the adhesive, creating a structural bond between the shingles. This bond, along with proper nailing, is essential for keeping the shingles in place under high-speed winds. In cold environments, manufacturers and professional roofing industry associations like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommend that additional beads of shingle adhesive be applied, since the shingles may not get warm enough to create the adhesive bond.

  Unfortunately, the range of temperatures that are considered as “cold” are not clearly defined. Instead, it is simply stated that spring and summer are warm enough to make the adhesive cure and form an effective bond.

  As a result, each Marietta roofing contractor may have his own opinion about the need for applying additional shingle adhesive. If a roofer chooses to use the extra adhesive, he is staying on the side of caution.

  On the other hand, North Georgia winters are very mild compared to North Dakota winters. So, there is a valid argument for not applying the additional adhesive. If your Marietta roofer does not apply extra adhesive, the decision is likely based on experience and past success. In this case, a reputable roofing company should back up their installation methods with a good roof warranty.

A Marietta Roofing Company That Builds Roofs All Winter Long

If you have additional questions or concerns about getting a new roof in the winter, Findlay Roofing encourages you to contact us today. We are happy to answer all of your roofing questions.

We also offer a free roof analysis to our neighbors in Marietta and across all of North Georgia, and look forward to working with you soon, even if it’s cold outside!