Best Time to Replace a Roof in New England: Season by Season

Asphalt shingles are not just nailed down. Each one carries a factory-applied strip of sealant that glues it to the course below, and that sealant needs warmth. Owens Corning explains that its sealant is thermally activated, and that direct exposure to the sun's energy activates it so the shingles can bond to the course below.

That has a few practical effects in cold weather:

• Sealing can be slow. Owens Corning says shingles installed in cold weather may not seal until warmer temperatures arrive. IKO says it might take up to several weeks for shingles to seal together.
• Unsealed shingles are more exposed to wind. IKO notes that shingles that do not seal together have a higher chance of blow-off, which could result in roof leaks.
• Cold shingles are stiffer. IKO says asphalt shingles can become more brittle in cold weather and that bundles should never be bent, dropped or thrown. CertainTeed's cold-weather guidance, as published by its New Zealand distributor Viking, warns that forcing cold shingles into shape can cause cracking, which may lead to leaks.
• They may not lie flat right away. Owens Corning says shingles installed in cold weather may take longer to lay flat. Malarkey adds that they need warm temperatures and sunlight to relax, a process that can take a couple of weeks to several months.

None of this means a cold-weather roof is a bad roof. It means the installation has to account for it, which is where hand-sealing comes in.

This is a general guide to how the seasons affect the work. Every roof, crew and shingle line is different, so treat it as a way to plan, not a calendar to follow.

Spring. CertainTeed's cold-weather guidance, as published by its New Zealand distributor Viking, says that when temperatures are cool, you should ideally wait until spring to install. Spring also follows the winter, so it is a natural time to deal with damage that showed up over the cold months.

Summer. Warm weather helps shingles seal and lie flat. Heat brings its own concerns for the crew. Malarkey advises that hot summer days call for shingle installation in the morning, following the shade for the rest of the day. Afternoon storms can also interrupt an open roof.

Fall. Temperatures are usually in a workable range, and shingles installed in early fall have some time to seal before winter. IKO's point about sealing time matters here: shingles that may not get enough time to seal before winter are the case where manual sealing is recommended. Later in the fall, the days get shorter and colder.

Winter. Roofing in the cold is possible. IKO says it is possible to shingle year-round, with extra care. Expect more hand-sealing, more attention to handling cold material, and more weather-related schedule changes. Malarkey adds a safety note: make sure ice or frost is not present on the walking surface, whether the deck or the underlayment.

Roof orientation changes the picture too. Malarkey says south and west roof faces typically seal faster than north and east faces, and that darker shingles seal faster than lighter ones.

Most of the decisions that affect timing happen before anyone climbs a ladder.

• Check permits with your town. Whether a roof replacement needs a permit can differ between towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Call your building department before you sign a contract and ask whether your project needs one and how long it takes.
• Choose the material early. Shingle lines, colors and accessories are decisions that take time. If a roof is going on in cold weather, ask which manufacturer's cold-weather instructions apply to the shingle you chose. Our guide to asphalt shingles versus metal roofs in New England can help you compare.
• Think about the whole roof system. Winter is also when ice dams show up. Planning ventilation, insulation and ice protection at replacement time can help, and our ice dam prevention guide explains how.
• Ask for the plan in writing. The scope, the material and how the crew will handle weather delays are worth having on paper. No honest roofer can promise a start date that the weather controls.

For the full picture of what replacement involves, see our roofing replacement page.