How Does Winter Weather Affect Roofing Installations?

If winter weather is particularly brutal, such as having 40+ mph gusts of wind, or 20 below plus weather, then these are usually not the best conditions to install a metal roof, particularly for the safety of the installers.

However, cold weather alone usually doesn’t affect the roofing installation process. The main factor that changes is that installers will have shorter workdays. This may affect the timeline of how long the installation may take but a metal roofing installation is still possible in reasonable cold weather conditions.

Metal vs. Asphalt Winter Roofing Installation

Asphalt roofing installation in the winter differs from metal roofing installation in many ways. Here are some of the main difficulties installers face when installing asphalt roofs in the winter:

• Most manufacturers will not honor warranties: If an asphalt roof is installed below a certain outside temperatures, details vary based on manufacturer.
• Deformed shingles: Asphalt tends to get brittle in cold weather, and not lay flat.
• Broken shingles: Shingles are a petroleum based product that when left out in below zero conditions and handled may break shingles during cold weather.
• Chipped edges: Because asphalt is brittle in the cold, the edges tend to chip off. The more damage shingles experience during installation, the less durable they will be in the long run.
• Nail gun issues: Asphalt’s brittleness also causes issues with nail guns. Sometimes the nails will go all the way through the shingle, so they are not attached properly to the roof deck.
• Sealant problems: The sealant used for asphalt shingles takes longer to activate during cold weather. That is why most manufacturers have a cold weather temperature that they do not recommend installing asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles need heat to adhere to each other and make them water tight.

Meanwhile, metal roofs are screwed in rather than nailed in, so installers do not have to deal with nail gun issues. In addition, metal doesn’t become more brittle in cold weather, so there aren’t additional considerations for the winter roofing installation process.

What Is the Process for Metal Roof Installation in Winter?

The process for winter roofing installation for metal roofs looks very similar to the process during ordinary conditions:

1. This is where we tear off the old roof. Even if there’s a bit of snow on the roof, the snow will go along with the old roof, so it’s not a problem.
2. A new underlayment goes between the roof deck and the new steel roof panels. This provides an extra layer of protection from the elements.
3. We handle all the detail, side, and edge work.
4. Finally, we screw in the metal panels. These will either be standing seam or shingle-style, depending on the roof the homeowner decided on.

Over the years, our team of expert roof installers have developed a seamless installation process, so the project can be completed efficiently and expertly, winter, spring, summer or fall.

Need Winter Roofing Installation?

At AM Burney Exteriors, our experts are fully equipped to handle metal roofing installation any time, any season — even in the winter. When homeowners choose AM Burney Exteriors, they can expect top-notch quality in every aspect.

We take care of everything, from researching the best products for our homeowners selection to installing their selection, to the clean-up afterward. Customer service is a top priority for us, so our clients will be communicated with at every step with professionalism and respect throughout the process.

Contact us today to learn more about winter roofing installation services from AM Burney Exteriors.