3 Reasons Why Roofing Crews Prefer to Install in Winter

When most American homeowners imagine roof installation or replacement work, they picture these jobs taking place during the spring or summer months when the weather is most agreeable. However, many roofing crews prefer to work in the winter. While this may sound like it would be uncomfortable, this is not actually the case for several reasons.

If you intend to replace your roof or install a new metal roof this year, it’s worth knowing the reasons why many roofing crews prefer to do installation work over the winter. Review the following reasons why this is true in many parts of the country and consider whether a winter roof installation would work with your schedule.

Snow Is Easier to Manage Than Rain

 

A roof that already has leaks and other issues will fare much worse in the rain than in the snow. If you schedule your roof replacement for the spring and a rainstorm hits on the day of the job, it can not only delay the work but also cause significant water damage. Working in the rain is also highly hazardous, especially for roofers. The chances of slipping and falling off a roof dramatically increase when the roof is slick with rain.

On the other hand, if you schedule your roof work for the wintertime and a snowstorm happens to roll into your area, snow accumulation is pretty easy for roofers to manage. A broom can sweep away light accumulation easily, and a shovel can take care of heavier snowdrifts. While melting snow can be slippery, it is easier to spot and not as hazardous as rain.

Winter Can Be More Comfortable for Roof Work

You might think that working in the warm sunshine would be enjoyable, but the sunshine feels very different when you’re working completely exposed on top of a roof. During the spring or summer, the heat from the sun can be incredibly oppressive and uncomfortable for workers who must wear heavy protective clothing and equipment. Accidents can easily happen during the summer from not only falls, but also injuries caused by distraction or heat exhaustion. These incidents are not only dangerous, but also delay the completion of your roof work.

During the winter, that same clothing and equipment can be an effective barrier against the cold and moving around while working also helps warm the body. The cold can easily offset the heat built up during hard work outside, and many roofers enjoy working in cooler temperatures for this reason. The roofing crew you hire will probably appreciate the more comfortable working conditions after a busy season from the spring through the fall.

A comfortable crew is a more efficient crew. When roofers have to contend with extreme heat, sweatiness, and overall discomfort during a job, the job understandably tends to progress at a slower pace. Adjusting to the cold isn’t difficult, and your roofing crew will be more alert, more comfortable, and better prepared to do an efficient job with your new roof during the winter.

Demand for Roofing Services Is Lower During the Winter

Since most people think of spring to be the best time to tackle home improvement work, the spring months into the summer tend to be the busiest for most American roofing companies. Demand is higher during this time, and prices tend to rise in response. The same is true for the fall months when many homeowners want to handle outstanding property-related issues before the winter weather arrives. For many roofers, the busy season can easily extend from the first weeks of spring until the early weeks of winter.

If you have scheduled roofing work in the past during the busier months, you might be pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s not only easier to choose an installation time that works for your schedule, but also that your chosen roofer may offer you a much lower price than you expected since demand is at its lowest. Try to choose a day when the weather forecast is mild with a low chance of precipitation, just in case, but a little bit of snow shouldn’t impede work for a team of professional roofers.

Benefits of Choosing Winter for Your Metal Roof Installation

Homeowners who want to upgrade to new metal roofs should strongly consider scheduling their installations for the winter months. Many people mistakenly believe it’s not a good idea to install a new roof over the winter, but this rule only really applies to asphalt shingle roofs. You never see asphalt roof crews working over the winter because winter weather interferes with the asphalt shingle installation process. Asphalt shingles require sunlight and warmth so they can adhere to one another properly, but it’s possible to install a high-quality metal roof any time of year.
When you opt for a winter metal roof installation, you can begin enjoying the benefits of your new metal roof immediately, as well as during the time of year where homeowners with metal roofs tend to get the most value out of them. Your heating system will get a much-needed break as your new metal roof improves your home’s insulation and increases the efficiency of your energy usage. Your energy savings will begin during the time of year they tend to be highest and continue for many years to come.

Consult an Experienced Metal Roof Installation Team

To take advantage of all the benefits of scheduling your metal roof installation during the winter, find a reliable and experienced metal roof installation team to handle the job. Discuss any concerns you might have about installing your new metal roof over the winter and see what the roofer has to say in terms of scheduling, pricing, and the time estimation for completing the job. The roofing team you choose will likely appreciate the opportunity to work during more comfortable conditions off peak season, and you can enjoy lower energy costs, greater comfort, and long-lasting value sooner rather than later.