Roofing in The Winter Months

Winter is tough on roofs, with ice, heavy snow, and debris causing significant damage. While many homeowners may believe roofing in the colder months isn't possible, the truth is that it can be done —though it comes with its own set of challenges.

Roofing companies should know when to stop work during winter for safety and use the time wisely to overcome challenges. Here's what you need to know about roofing in winter.

When to Stop Roofing in Winter

There’s a fine line between continuing work and knowing when to stop roofing in the winter. Long story short,  you can replace a roof in winter. However, there are plenty of things that affect when you should stop.

If temperatures consistently drop below freezing (32°F or 0°C), it’s generally best to halt roofing activities. In today's climate, though, it is possible to have moderate winter days. And if a homeowner needs a roof, they need a roof.

The key is to prioritize safety and quality.

You should absolutely stop roofing in winter when it stops being safe. Icy and slippery roofs are dangerous for roofers. Working in extreme temperatures is also not safe.

Cold weather can also impact the quality of your work. Asphalt shingles and other roofing materials can become brittle in cold temperatures, increasing the chances of breakage during installation.

Regularly checking weather forecasts is crucial to making informed decisions about when to pause or proceed with work.

Safety During Winter Roofing

Worker safety is incredibly important. If you are going to take on winter jobs, you must prioritize:

• Proper gear: Equip your team with winter-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes insulated gloves, boots with good traction, and layered clothing to maintain warmth and flexibility. Extra harnesses, hats, and winter-friendly ropes are key too.
• Clearing the work area: Ensure that the roof is clear of ice and snow before beginning any project. This includes applying de-icing agents and shoveling snow to reduce slipping hazards.
• Securing the roof: Use safety harnesses, guardrails, and safety nets to prevent falls. Proper training in recognizing and mitigating winter-specific risks is also essential.
• Monitoring weather conditions: Always be vigilant about weather changes. If conditions worsen unexpectedly, be prepared to stop work immediately to maintain safety. You may also want to work later in the day when the sun is higher to keep your team warmer.
• Warming breaks: Have hot coffee, tea, and trucks for your team to take breaks with. Staying warm is super important. Frozen fingers can easily lead to accidents. Have body warmers available for your team, too.

Sloped roofing systems in winter

The slope, or pitch, of a roof can drastically increase the risk to roofers — even in the best of winter conditions. The steeper the incline, the more difficult it is to attain and sustain stability. Adding ice into the mix increases the risk of slipping, falling, and dropping equipment. 

Many sloped roofs are shingled, and there are a few extra things to think about when putting them up in cold weather.

Proper nailing

During winter installation, proper nailing is very important.

As the reinforced fiberglass shingles get cold, they become increasingly brittle. It’s essential that roofers take extra care when nailing the shingles to prevent unnecessary damage. Best practice is to either hand nail, or use a pneumatic nail gun properly adjusted to drive the nails to a proper depth.

An experienced installer will know how to control the PSI to avoid driving the nail completely through the shingles, head and all.

It is also very important that you have a qualified and trusted installer who knows to nail on the double layer of the laminate shingles to ensure strength of the application. Make sure that the installer is not “high nailing,” which will increase the chances of shingles blowing off and not bonding correctly.

Shingle bonding

Many homeowners are concerned about the bonding of the shingles in the cold weather, but it's not something to be worried about. The new “Fast Lock Sealant System” used by many companies means that they bond within a few hours during warmer conditions, and within a few weeks when it’s colder outside.

The shingles only need the heat from the inside of your home and the warmth of the sun to start bonding. With this sealant system and the double-layered nailing area, many shingles can be installed securely in winter.

Be prepared to speak to homeowners about this.

Premium shingles

If you're still concerned about installing a new roof in cold weather, choosing a premium shingle will help ease your mind. The newest shingles come with carbon fiber nailing areas that help prevent nails blowing through the shingles and high winds ripping through the nail holes.

There are a number of manufacturers creating these premium shingles, including (but not limited to):

• IKO’s Dynasty
• Owens Corning Duration

These shingles have a 1”-1¼” strip designed to prevent nail blow-throughs, and protect against the effects of high winds. This goes beyond the performance of fiberglass, and reinforces the stability of the nails.

Flat roofing systems in winter

When working on a flat roof, it’s essential to adjust your equipment and procedures accordingly. 

Safety is just as important on flat roofs as on sloped ones. Before starting a project, make sure to assess it carefully to ensure safety.

Insulation

A strong flat roofing system starts with installing a layer of polyiso insulation. The best way to apply this is to stick it to the roof deck with adhesive. During warmer months, this provides a strong, long-lasting hold.

However, when it’s colder, the insulation won’t bond as intended.

The alternative to the adhesive is mechanically fastening the polyiso. Mechanical attachment involves screwing it directly into the roof deck and fastening it at equal distances to properly secure it to the roof. This is not as strong as the adhesive, but it is a less labor intensive application, and cheaper too.

Modified bitumen

Work on flat roofs can be done almost all winter, especially with the use of modified bitumen torch down roofing.

This type of roof consists of a two-layer membrane that is attached using the heat from a torch. This means that the roof can be installed in any temperature, with the torch heating up the membrane and making it pliable whenever, wherever.

TPO and PVC

TPO and PVC are single-layer membranes. They can both be installed in the winter using heat welding, but lower temperatures may inhibit the ability of these products to stretch and stay pliable. Talk to your roofer prior to moving forward with this process when expecting a serious drop in temperature.

Making the Most of Winter Months

Whether or not you take on winter jobs, the winter season will be slower. But that doesn't have to mean your business goes into hibernation.

Winter is an excellent time to focus on internal improvements and preparations for the busy spring and summer months. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

• Shop for roofing CRM: Winter provides the perfect opportunity to research and implement a new software system tailored to your business. A good CRM can streamline communication, track leads, and enhance overall efficiency, making your business more competitive. Some roofing CRMs, like Roofr, include measurements, proposals, job tracking, customer communications, payments, and more!
• Review and refine your processes. Use the downtime to assess your current operations. Identify areas that need improvement and develop strategies to optimize your workflow. This might involve updating pricing models, refining project management systems, or enhancing marketing strategies.
• Learn business skills with webinars — like Masterclass: Continuing education is key to staying ahead in the roofing industry. Participate in webinars or check out old episodes of the Masterclass that focus on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. These can provide valuable insights that help improve your business operations and service offerings.
• Attend industry events: Even during the colder months, industry trade shows, conferences, and other events continue. These events are great opportunities to network, learn, and explore new products, tools, and technologies that could benefit your company.

By focusing on these areas, you can ensure that your roofing business is not only surviving the winter but thriving and preparing to excel when the weather warms up.

Winter: Still a busy season for roofers

Whether you take on winter jobs or not, winter does not need to be a slow season. Take advantage of the cold months to review your business goals, shop for software, train your team, and plan for next season.

If you do take on winter jobs, prioritize safety, work smart, and communicate the different challenges to homeowners.

With these two parts in mind, you're set to have the best winter season yet.