The Ideal Temperature for Roofing

If you try to install roofing in temperatures that are too cold or too warm, a few different issues may make the process difficult.

Too Cold

If you attempt to install roofing when the temperature is too cold for installation, shingles, shakes and other roofing materials may turn brittle. Though installing the shingles when they are in this condition is possible, it is not ideal. When shingles are brittle they require careful handing to prevent breaking during installation. Fiberglass shingles are some of the most likely shingles to break in cold weather. The adhesive on shingles may also fail to stick in cold weather and may not become fully adhered to the roof until summer. To avoid these issues, avoid roofing in temperatures below 40 degrees F.

Too Warm

If you attempt to install roofing when the temperature is too warm for installation, shingles, shakes and other materials may soften, making them more difficult to handle. If the sun is especially hot, the adhesive on the roofing may also dry out before you can get the roofing properly lined up and placed. Avoid roofing in temperatures above 80 degrees F to eliminate these issues.

Ideal Temperature

To get the best results and to prevent breakage or softening of materials, install roofing when the temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees F if at all possible. If the roofing job needs to be done immediately due to leaks or wind damage, lay a tarp over the damaged section of the roof or install temporary roofing. When installing temporary roofing, you can use the same materials that you want to install permanently, but instead of using the permanent adhesive, just nail the roofing into place and return to the job once the temperature is favorable to install with both adhesive and nails.

Best Weather Conditions

Some obvious weather conditions can be detrimental during a roofing job. These include wind, which can make handling roofing difficult and creates a hazard to those up on the roof, and rain, which makes adhesive sticking properly impossible and also poses a potential hazard for roofers. You should also, however, avoid roofing in direct sunlight, if possible, to prevent adhesive from drying out too rapidly just as it will in warm temperatures. A cool day with cloud cover is ideal for installation.