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Often, yes. Shingle makers and their trade association publish cold-weather installation steps, such as hand sealing and warming shingles, and several makers apply them at or below 40°F. Whether your roof can go on in winter depends on the product, the weather that day and the crew, so ask each bidder how they handle it.

Can a roof be replaced in winter?

Yes, a shingle roof can be installed in cold weather. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) says asphalt shingles have been used successfully in cold climates for over one hundred years, and it tells installers to follow the maker’s instructions, including any about cold temperatures. The question is how the crew does the work in the cold.

The sources behind this page cover asphalt shingles. Metal, tile and other roofing systems have their own instructions, and this page says nothing about them. If your bid names another product, ask for that maker’s current instructions.

What do shingle makers say about cold-weather installation?

They say it can be done with extra care. Their documents describe stiff shingles that can crack, a factory sealing strip that may not bond until it warms, hand sealing with asphalt roof cement, and ice or frost that makes the roof dangerous to work on. Details differ by maker, so the instructions for your product govern.

Topic What the sources say What to ask
Where cold weather starts Owens Corning’s bulletin applies when air and surface temperatures are “at or below 40°F (4°C)”. Malarkey’s bulletin is titled for cold weather below 40°F. ARMA says to refer to the manufacturer for the specific cold-weather installation temperature. Which shingle is on the bid, and what do its written instructions say about cold weather?
The sealing strip Owens Corning says sunlight activates the factory sealant, and that shingles installed in cold weather “may not immediately seal until warmer temperatures are present.” ARMA says sealing time varies with the roof’s slope, orientation and sun exposure. How will you protect the shingles from wind while the strip is not yet bonded?
Hand sealing ARMA says shingles can be hand-sealed with an asphalt roofing cement the shingle maker accepts. Owens Corning calls for hand sealing every shingle along the roof perimeter in cold weather. TAMKO’s Heritage instructions say that where prolonged cold or blowing dust keeps shingles from sealing down, “hand sealing of the shingles is required.” GAF’s Timberline HDZ instructions say shingles applied during prolonged cold periods must be hand sealed. Do you hand-seal, with what, and on which shingles?
Brittleness and handling ARMA says shingles “may crack, or in severe cases, break apart” in cold weather, and says to avoid bending, throwing or dropping bundles. It says to use extra care, including warming, at hip and ridge shingles and valleys. How do you store and warm shingles, and how do you handle hips, ridges and valleys?
Nailing ARMA says shingles should be flat when nailed, or the nail may break through the surface. Malarkey says to monitor compressor pressures as the roof warms during the day, and says hand-nailing is an option, at added cost. How do you check fastener depth through the day?
Gaps between shingles Owens Corning says to leave a slight gap, no more than 1/16 inch, on end and butt joints in cold weather, so that shingles do not buckle against each other when they warm. Malarkey’s bulletin suggests a smaller space, 1/32 inch, so the figure depends on the shingle. Does your crew follow the maker’s spacing for cold weather?
Ice and frost ARMA says ice or frost on the roof can be “nearly invisible” and makes work “extremely hazardous”, and advises waiting until the surface is free of both. What conditions make you postpone a day?

Why does cold weather matter to a shingle roof?

Cold changes how a shingle behaves while it goes on and after it is on. The sources point to three effects: the shingle gets stiffer, the sealing strip bonds more slowly, and the finished roof can take longer to lie flat. Each one is a question you can put to the crew.

  • Stiffness. ARMA says asphalt shingles tend to become less flexible as temperature decreases. A stiff shingle can crack when it is bent or stepped on.
  • Sealing. The strip that holds shingles to the course below is activated by heat. A cold, cloudy or shaded roof may bond slowly, which is why makers describe hand sealing.
  • Flatness. Owens Corning says shingles installed in cold weather may take longer to lay flat. Malarkey says shingles that are not lying flat need warm temperatures and sunlight to relax, which “may take a couple weeks to several months.” ARMA adds that on a re-roof over an uneven surface, the uneven look can be “locked in.”

What does a winter job look like on the day?

A cold-weather install follows the makers’ steps, and the crew plans the day around the weather. The practices below come from the sources on file, so you know what to listen for when a bidder walks you through a cold day.

  • The crew checks the deck and underlayment for ice or frost before anyone walks on them, and waits if it is there.
  • Shingles are kept in a warm place before use, and not bent, thrown or dropped. Malarkey also says to let them warm in the sun.
  • The crew works where the sun is. Malarkey’s bulletin says: “follow the sun.”
  • Shingles are hand-sealed where the maker calls for it.
  • The deck stays dry. Owens Corning’s instructions say to prevent the wood deck from getting wet before, during and after installation.

Can the roof wait, or does it have to be done now?

This page cannot say, because it depends on the condition of your roof and the forecast, and only a contractor on site can see those. Put the question to each bidder: what would you do about this roof if work started now, what would you do if it waited, and what does each choice depend on?

Ask what temporary protection a contractor would put on if the roof stays open or work stops partway, how long they expect it to be needed, and who removes it. If roofers are booked, our guide on what to do when roofers are booked up after a storm has questions about start dates. Do not climb on a cold or wet roof yourself.

What should I ask every roofer about winter work?

Send the same questions to every bidder and ask for written answers. A bidder who has done cold-weather work should be able to answer each one plainly, and a bid that cannot answer is worth a follow-up call before you compare the totals.

  • Which shingle is in the bid, and what do the maker’s current instructions say about cold weather?
  • At what temperature or condition (ice, frost, rain, wind) will you not install?
  • Will you hand-seal, with what, and on which shingles?
  • How do you store and warm shingles, and how do you handle hip, ridge and valley pieces?
  • How do you keep the deck dry before, during and after the work?
  • What temporary protection goes on if work stops partway, and who removes it?
  • What happens to the start date and the schedule if weather delays the job, and where is that written?
  • Where do the maker’s instructions or warranty say installation conditions matter?

How does getting bids on one written scope help me compare?

When every contractor prices the same written scope, you can put the same winter questions to each and compare the answers line by line. A bid that is silent on sealing in the cold is an open question you can ask before you compare totals, and you can see who has a plan for winter work.

Where Otter Quotes fits

Otter Quotes creates a written scope of work for your project and sends it to multiple contractors. Every bid is on the same scope and the same measurements, so you are comparing the same job. You compare the bids online, next to reviews and licensing information, without a salesperson visiting your home.

Because contractors know they are competing, they are more likely to include better materials and warranties. Otter Quotes is not a contractor, does not sell upgrades and does not work with your insurance company. Contractors pay Otter Quotes a fee on the accepted bid.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a roof be replaced in winter?

Often, yes. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says asphalt shingles have been used successfully in cold climates for over one hundred years, and shingle makers publish cold-weather installation steps. Whether your roof can go on in winter depends on the product, the weather on the day and the crew. Ask each bidder how they handle it.

What temperature is too cold to install shingles?

The documents behind this page do not agree on one number and name no temperature at which work must stop. Owens Corning’s bulletin applies at or below 40°F, and Malarkey and TAMKO give cold-weather guidance below 40°F. Ask each bidder what the product’s written instructions say and when they would not install.

Why do shingles need hand sealing in cold weather?

Shingles carry a factory sealant strip that sunlight warms and activates. Owens Corning says shingles installed in cold weather may not seal right away. Makers describe hand sealing, which means pressing dabs of asphalt roof cement under the shingle, to protect against wind lifting it. Ask each bidder whether they hand-seal and where.

Does cold-weather installation affect a shingle warranty?

Read the warranty and installation instructions for your product. Owens Corning’s Duration instructions say the manufacturer is not responsible for problems from any deviation from them, and Malarkey says its wind warranties apply only when shingles are sealed, by hand or by the sealing strip. Ask each bidder to confirm in writing that they follow the maker’s instructions.

How can I compare roof bids for a winter job?

Put the same questions to every bidder in writing: the temperature and weather limits, hand sealing, storing and warming shingles, keeping the deck dry, temporary protection and the plan if weather delays the job. When every bid is on one written scope, you can compare the answers side by side, not guess why they differ.

Sources

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