Installing Shingles in Cold Weather

By guest blogger Joseph Hamby

There are many important issues to keep in mind if you are installing shingles during the cold winter months. The most sought-after material that homeowners use is asphalt shingles. To understand how cold weather affects your shingles, you must understand how the asphalt shingle is installed. These shingles are installed by using an overlapping method, and they are coated with a self-adhesive material that will automatically seal the shingles to the other succeeding courses during warm-weather months. If your shingles are not laying evenly after a cold-weather installation, then they should be hand-sealed with platic roofing cement. This helps so much in the cold weather, keeping the shingles secure and intact to provide the best barrier against the elements. But be forewarned: never over-apply plastic cement, as it will cause blisterng of your shingles after they warm up in the spring and summer.

Many people may tell you to avoid installing shingles in cold weather, but if you abide by some simple precautions, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Of course, always make sure that safety is a No. 1 priority, especially in the winter. Getting on a roof is extremely dangerous, particularly if there is snow or water present. Begin by cleaning off the roof as best as you can. Then, take great care in handling the shingles, as they can become very brittle and break.

Joseph Vann Hamby began his career in the roofing and home improvement industries in 1990 and is the founder of Joseph Vann Hambry Enterprises LLC. Click here to ask roofing-related questions or for more information.