Fewer roofing jobs happen during the winter. Some companies will offer their best prices in down seasons, but most will advise you to wait until spring—at least for substantial renovations.

Stripping and rebuilding roofs in the winter exposes your home unnecessarily. But if something must be done, it can be. There are just a few challenges contractors must overcome in frigid temperatures.

Ineffective Adhesives

Cold weather affects how shingles bond to the underlayment. Most come with self-sealant strips that activate in warm temperatures under the sun. But a winter chill could stop the shingles from bonding, leading to looseness and leaks. Of course, professional contractors can prevent such disasters. Nevertheless, the risk of malfunction is greater in winter.

Brittle Shingles

In cold weather, asphalt can lose its flexibility. Consequently, roofers have a difficult time cutting, bending and nailing shingles. They won’t break, but nails tend to overdrive through them. Flushness is preferable when laying shingles, so contractors faced with brittleness may need to nail by hand. This inevitably increases the time spent per project.

Tool Performance

Some compression-based tools suffer from reduced airflow in freezing temperatures. Regardless of brittleness, poor airflow underdrives nails. Compression issues occur when the tool’s chamber humidity drops, turning condensation into water. As temperatures plummet, this water freezes in the airlines.

Worker Safety

Snowy, slippery roofs can be a hazard for contractors. Mix in high temperatures and wind—it’s not an ideal working environment. There is also much more prep involved in a winter project.