Is It Safe to Install a New Roof in the Winter?

It's early January in Bergen County, and you've just discovered multiple leaks in your roof. Your first instinct might be to wait until spring—but what if you can't? What if those leaks are causing interior damage right now?

Many homeowners assume winter roof installation is risky or inferior. The truth is more nuanced. While warm weather is objectively the easiest time to install asphalt shingles, roofing problems don't follow a seasonal calendar. When leaks appear in December, or when a homeowner simply wants to move forward without waiting until spring, the real question becomes:

Can a roof installed in winter perform as well as one installed in summer?

The answer is yes—if the installation is handled correctly and the cold-weather risks are addressed intentionally.

Why Is Warm Weather Considered Ideal for Roof Installation?

Asphalt shingles rely on two systems to stay in place:

1. Mechanical fastening (nails)

2. Thermal adhesive bonding (seal strip activation)

Nails hold shingles to the roof deck immediately. Adhesive bonding happens later, once temperatures rise and activate the factory-applied sealant on each shingle. Warm weather speeds up that adhesive activation, allowing shingles to seal naturally and uniformly shortly after installation.

How Do Asphalt Shingles Stay Secured on a Roof?

Every asphalt shingle is secured in two ways. Nails, placed in a designated nail line, physically anchor the shingle to the roof decking. A factory adhesive strip, often referred to as a seal strip, bonds the shingle to the course beneath it. The adhesive is critical for wind resistance. It prevents shingles from lifting, fluttering, or creasing during storms.

What Temperature Is Needed for Shingle Adhesive to Activate?

Most asphalt shingle manufacturers design seal strips to activate at temperatures above approximately 40°F (4°C). In Bergen County, winter temperatures frequently fluctuate above and below this exact threshold, making natural adhesion unreliable.

When daytime temperatures remain below 40°F:

• Adhesive activation is delayed.

• Shingles may not fully seal for weeks or months.

• Wind exposure becomes a significant concern before the roof is fully bonded.

This is the primary risk associated with winter roof installations—not nail failure, but delayed bonding.

What Happens If Shingles Don't Seal Before a Windstorm?

If a roof is installed in cold weather and experiences high winds before the shingles have sealed, wind can get underneath the shingle edges. This repeated lifting causes creasing, similar to bending a piece of paper back and forth. While the nails usually prevent shingles from blowing off entirely, the damage caused by repeated movement can shorten shingle lifespan and ruin the roof's appearance.

Why Is Shingle Creasing a Long-Term Problem?

A single lift event is usually not catastrophic. The issue arises when shingles experience repeated lift-and-set cycles over several winter storms. By the time spring temperatures arrive and the adhesive finally activates, the shingles may already be wavy and sit unevenly. The roof may never lay as flat as intended. For a homeowner who has invested significantly in a new roof, this outcome is unacceptable.

How Can Experienced Roofers Prevent Adhesion Problems in Cold Weather?

Cold-weather roofing requires manual intervention, not shortcuts. To compensate for delayed adhesive activation, experienced roofers take an additional, critical step: applying supplemental roofing cement beneath each shingle course.

This creates an immediate, powerful bond between shingles, independent of the ambient temperature. As Erik Mattsson explains during winter installations, this process ensures that shingles are sealed both mechanically and adhesively from day one, even when temperatures remain below optimal levels.

How Is Supplemental Sealant Applied During Winter Roofing?

The process is methodical and consistent:

1. Roofing cement is applied beneath the shingle.

2. The next course of shingles is placed on top.

3. Shingles are manually bonded together.

4. Standard nailing patterns are completed.

5. The process is repeated row by row across the roof.

This approach prevents wind lift during winter storms and eliminates the waiting period normally required for factory seal strips to activate, ensuring your roof is secure from the moment we leave the job site.

Does Adding Sealant Change the Performance of the Roof?

When done correctly, no negative performance tradeoff is introduced. Instead, wind resistance improves immediately, shingles remain flat and stable through winter, and the roof performs the same long-term as a warm-weather installation. The key distinction is that this is not standard practice for all contractors. It requires additional labor, attention, and experience.

Are Winter Roof Installations Code-Compliant?

Yes—provided manufacturer guidelines and cold-weather installation best practices are followed. Winter roofing is not prohibited by building codes or shingle manufacturers. However, manufacturers assume contractors understand and mitigate cold-weather limitations. Problems arise when roofs are installed in winter without adjusting installation methods.

When Should a Homeowner Consider Winter Roof Installation?

Winter installation may be the right choice when:

• Active leaks cannot wait until spring. If you've experienced storm damage or emergency leaks requiring immediate tarping, waiting months for a permanent repair can lead to additional interior damage and mold growth.

• Insurance timelines require prompt repair. If you've received a roof replacement notice from your insurance company, understanding your timeline options is critical. Read our guide on what to do when you receive a roof replacement notice.

• Interior damage is at risk. Delaying repairs can lead to compounding problems including water damage, mold growth, and compromised structural integrity.

• Homeowners want to avoid spring scheduling backlogs. The spring is the busiest season for roofers. Scheduling in winter often means a faster turnaround time.

• A project is planned proactively rather than reactively. If you're planning ahead, winter is also the ideal time to evaluate whether your gutter system should be upgraded during the roof replacement.

In towns like Glen Rock, Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Fair Lawn, winter roof installations are common when handled properly.

Why Experience Matters More in Winter Roofing Than Summer Roofing

Warm weather is forgiving. Cold weather is not. In summer, factory systems do most of the work. In winter, the installer's decisions and methods matter more than the materials themselves. This is where working with a contractor like Mattsson Roofing makes a measurable difference—because we treat your roof as a complete system, not just a product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Roofing

Q: Will my shingle warranty be voided if installed in winter?

A: No. When a manufacturer-certified contractor follows proper cold-weather installation techniques, including manual sealing, the shingle warranty remains fully intact. Winter installation does not void manufacturer warranties.

Q: Does winter installation cost more?

A: The additional labor and materials for supplemental manual sealing may result in a modest increase in cost. However, this investment ensures the same long-term performance and durability as a warm-weather installation, protecting your larger investment in the new roof.

Q: How cold is too cold for roof installation?

A: While our manual sealing process allows us to install roofs in very cold temperatures, we prioritize safety and quality. We may reschedule work during extreme conditions (such as active snowfall, ice, or temperatures below 32°F) to ensure the well-being of our crew and the integrity of the materials.

Get Peace of Mind This Winter

For homeowners in Bergen County and surrounding areas, a winter roofing issue doesn't have to mean months of waiting and worrying. Mattsson Roofing has the experience and proven methods to install a secure, high-performing roof year-round. Our inspections focus on understanding the entire roofing system—not just spotting surface issues.