Can You Have a Roof Replaced in Winter?

Imagine this scenario, a large hail storm strikes your neighborhood and totals your roof in October. You know your favorite local roofer and you want to make sure they’re the ones on your roof. Unfortunately you’re not the only one who wants to use them and they’re backed up but they’re more than happy to get you on the waiting list. At this rate they think they will be able to get to your roof in January. January? Isn’t that too cold to put on a new roof? Basically, can you have a roof replaced in winter? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Let’s look at some of the different factors in deciding whether or not you should get your roof replaced in winter.

Can You Have a Roof Replaced in Winter?

Weather & Environment

Obviously you can’t get your roof replaced if it is covered in snow and ice. We say obviously but there are a surprising amount of people who think that you can knock off snow and ice and proceed as normal. Snow and ice pose not only a hazard to the structural integrity of the materials but to the safety of the roofing crew as well.

This is more of an issue for regions with chronic snow and ice throughout the entire winter season like the upper Midwest or New England. Some areas like Colorado or the central US may have snow and ice one week and blue skies and warm temperatures the next. In the second case you and the roofing contractor can discuss a good time in winter to get your roof install completed when it is both OK for the materials and your roofing crew.

So in cases where low temperatures and weather conditions remain constant for weeks at a time it is probably not in your best interest to have your roof replaced in winter. Other parts of the United States it will simply be a judgment call on whether ambient temperature and weather permit the installation of your roof, even in the winter.

This is another important reason to pick a local and reputable contractor that has been in business for several years. They will know when the local weather will permit a safe and quality job and when conditions may not be ideal.