If you’re considering undergoing a roof replacement, you know there’s a lot of planning involved. You’ll need to consider what type of roof you’re going to get, who you’ll hire to do the job, and much more. Once you nail down all those details, all that’s left to figure out is when to do it.
But this isn’t just a question of picking a date on a calendar. There are several considerations you’ll need to account for to get the job done well.
When exactly is the best time of year to replace your roof? The answer depends on the qualifications of the roofing contractor, the region of the home where it’s being installed, and the weather/temperature. Let’s look at what a roof replacement can look like in each season to determine the best time of year to replace your roof.
While some places around the United States may not have the same considerations, Chicagoland and the rest of the Midwest have four distinct seasons. Many roofing contractors say that spring and fall are the ideal seasons for roof replacement. However, there’s still more to consider here to get the best roof replacement experience.
We’re going to come out and say it: we consider spring to be the best time of year to replace your roof.
Proper roof installation relies on moderate temperatures. If it’s too cold outside, the asphalt shingles will crack. If it’s too hot, the shingles may melt or warp. In spring, the weather is just starting to become warm. Temperatures aren’t too hot or cold, and humidity is relatively low compared to other seasons.
Beyond that, roofers typically have a more open schedule during the spring. There are typically more available appointment slots to choose from than in fall, when many homeowners are rushing to get roofing jobs done before winter.
As long as the weather is favorable, roof replacements can technically be completed in the winter. However, winter weather presents quite a few challenges to successfully installing a roof.
Cold temperatures can make asphalt shingles (and other materials) very brittle, which makes them especially vulnerable to cracks. In some cases, stacks of shingles may freeze together and crack or tear when pulled apart.
If cracked shingles are installed in a new roof, this can quickly leave your home vulnerable to leaks and cause water damage to your roof decking.
In fact, it used to be the law in many states that asphalt shingles could not be installed on days where the temperature was below 40°F. While this is no longer the case in many areas, many manufacturers will still deny warranty claims if a roof was installed on a day that was 40°F or below.
During winter, ice and frost can easily form on your roof, especially in the Midwest where ice dams are common. Ice makes roofing very dangerous for installers, who have to climb around on a slippery slope all day. Many roofing companies will deny (or reschedule) a winter roof replacement job purely due to the safety risk.
However, if a roofing company does decide to install a roof during a cold winter day, it will likely take a lot longer than if it were scheduled during a different season. Roofers need to be extremely careful not to break the shingles when nailing them into the roof decking. They also need to move more carefully so as not to fall off your roof. Shorter daylight periods may also cause the job to take longer than it otherwise would.
Because winter roof installations are often dangerous, some roofing companies will charge extra money for the project. This cost often goes toward special safety equipment to protect workers from falling or extra material costs to make up for cracked shingles.
Summer is a somewhat busy season for most roofing companies, but that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule a roof replacement during this time. As long as the weather is favorable, a new roof can be installed in summer. Installation obviously can’t happen when it’s raining, but it will also have to be less than 85°F outside to properly install a roof in summer.
That said, excess heat during installation can cause several issues, such as:
With all of that in mind, most roofing contractors will do jobs in the summer with no reservations. However, it isn’t the most ideal time of year to replace your roof on a hot summer day.
A lot of roofing contractors say that fall is the perfect time of year to replace your roof. The temperature typically isn’t too hot or cold, and humidity is low. The only problem is that everyone is scheduling a roof replacement in the fall. For this reason, fall tends to be the busiest season of the year for roofing companies.
Even worse, some people will wait until the last minute to schedule a roof replacement before the winter. Those slots fill up fast. If you’re calling in mid-September or November trying to get a roof replacement before it gets too cold, good luck. You’ll likely struggle to find a good contractor to complete the job in time.
Incidentally, you might end up picking a cheap roofing contractor just to get the job done quickly. While it may seem like your only option, choosing a contractor that doesn’t do high-quality work will only leave you re-booking a replacement as soon as two months later. Hiring a roofing contractor with a reputation for quality workmanship is the only way to guarantee your roof will survive the weather and changing seasons.
What if something happens to your roof during the coldest part of winter and you realize it needs an urgent replacement? At Baltic Roofing, we know that this kind of thing happens. While we firmly believe that installing a roof when it’s too cold is ill-advised, we can still help you fix your problem.
Unless a tree falls on your house and completely destroys your roof, most roofing problems can be temporarily fixed with a few small repairs. If a roof needs a replacement in the winter, we will usually prescribe some temporary roof repairs to protect your home from further damage. We’ll schedule the full roof replacement for the following spring when the weather is more favorable.
A new roof costs a lot of money, and several factors can influence the final ticket price. You don’t want to pay a lot for a low-quality roof. To get the most life and value out of your roofing investment, here are a few tips:
A new asphalt roof should last about 25 to 30 years, but that’s only if it’s installed properly by a professional roofing company that knows what they’re doing. It’s incredibly important to choose a trustworthy roofing contractor with a reputation for high-quality workmanship to do the job. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a poorly installed roof that may fall apart just a few years later.
Any home improvement project is going to disrupt your routine to some degree. But a roof replacement shouldn’t be a major headache because it’s done at an inconvenient time.
To make sure the job takes place at a time that works best for you, be sure to schedule the replacement job well before it becomes urgent. This will ensure that the roofer has more available dates for you to choose from — you don’t want to be scrambling to schedule a replacement when things are falling apart around you.
What’s more, if you call in the winter to schedule a job for the following spring, you’ll likely be able to lock in the current pricing. This will help you save money if roofing prices go up the following year.
Most importantly, if you already know that your roof needs to be replaced, it’s best not to wait to schedule the replacement job. Waiting too long to contact a roofing company could mean you have to wait even longer to get an appointment. If your roof is damaged, the delayed replacement could leave your roof decking (and the rest of your home) vulnerable to further damage.
Once you have a high-quality roof installed, you want to make sure it’s taken care of properly to last for the full lifespan. While weather is sure to deteriorate your roof over time to some degree, you can prevent it from ruining your shingles prematurely with regular inspections and small maintenance repairs. Even the tiniest cracks or tears can allow water or debris to get underneath your shingles and deteriorate your roof decking. This can cause major problems and expensive repairs down the road.
Luckily, professional roofing companies offer roof maintenance programs as a monthly subscription. These programs guarantee that your roof will be taken care of, with annual inspections and minor repairs provided for a standard recurring rate. Usually this means replacing a few compromised shingles, sealing exposed nails, and cleaning your gutters. But this minor upkeep goes a long way toward avoiding disaster. Roof maintenance programs also typically include perks like priority customer service and discounts on future roofing jobs.
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. In order to make sure it’s installed for longevity, you’ll want to schedule a roofing project for the most ideal time of year (preferably spring). Otherwise, your roofing investment may not hold up as long as it should.
By scheduling a replacement early, you can make sure to plan accordingly and avoid paying excessive costs for a last minute fall or winter installation. You’ll also have an easier time getting an appointment with the roofing company of your choice — and avoid getting stuck with a cheap roofing contractor.
At Baltic Roofing, we always provide the highest quality roofing by paying attention to proper installation and workmanship with each replacement project. Check out our previous work to see the kind of results we’ve provided to other homes around Chicagoland.
For high-quality roofing and great customer service delivered with a smile, contact Baltic Roofing to talk about your roof replacement project.
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