Cold Weather Roofing Installation Tips for Roofers
Sometimes it’s simply no fun being a roofer. Like when the morning starts at 28 degrees outside and strong winds are blowing — and it’s time to climb on the roof to begin a new cold weather roofing project. However, roofers are like other working people, and they need to keep going no matter what the weather conditions.
Fortunately, at DaVinci Roofscapes we make composite roofing materials that can be installed in cold weather roofing conditions, so roofers can keep on working. Our Multi-Width and Single-Width slate and shake composite roofing tiles can be installed even when the temperatures dip down to 20 degrees.
Brrrr … Baby, it’s Cold Outside!
Many manufacturers will not allow their roofing materials to be installed when the outside temperature is below 40 or 45 degrees F. This is a big problem for roof installers throughout the country during the winter months. For those roofers who work in high mountain country areas where temperatures can reach 45 F at night in August, it’s a problem year round.
On the other hand, some roofers don’t think it’s necessary to wait for warmer weather to repair or replace a roof. They rely on expert skills and modern roofing materials to repair and replace tiles in cold weather roofing conditions. At DaVinci, our engineered resin system is designed so that the composite roofing tiles remain flexible in cold temperatures and can usually be installed in temperatures as cold as 20 degrees F.
So, if the forecast is for freezing weather, then add another layer … it’s time to get serious about cold weather roofing installation projects.
Installation Tips for Cold Weather Roofing
If you’re a roofer working through winter weather conditions, here are a few tips from our Tech Team experts to make it easier to install DaVinci lightweight composite roofing materials this winter:
Tip #1 – Acclimation is your friend. Don’t leave a caulking tube outside overnight and expect it to work the next morning … it will freeze! So, keep your supplies (including self-adhering membranes, caulk and other items) in a warm environment before using to get maximum efficiency and fewer headaches.
Tip #2 – Store your DaVinci composite slate and synthetic shake roofing tiles in the warmest area available to you when working at low temperatures. This conditions the product to allow for easier cutting and increased flexibility.
Tip #3 – Keep your DaVinci composite roofing tiles lying flat before installation in cold weather. Luckily DaVinci polymer slate and synthetic shake tiles can be installed in temperatures as cold as 20 degrees F (which makes you cold, but allows you to keep working!). If they are not flat because of the way they’ve been stored or shipped, then take time to flatten them before installing.
Tip #4 – During cold weather roofing installations, make certain there’s a minimum of 3/16″ space between DaVinci tiles.
Tip #5 – Using a pneumatic roofing nail gun to speed up your installation? That’s great, but make sure to adjust the pressure in colder weather. It shouldn’t be set too high. And, if it’s really cold outside and you’re having difficulties with your air compressor, go back to hand nailing composite roofing pieces in place.
Tip #6 – Watch out for “black ice” on ladders and on the roof. Even light moisture can freeze up and make being a roofer in the winter months potentially dangerous. Make sure you and your installation team use fall protection devices and appropriate footwear, since winter makes the roof more slippery and icy.
Tip #7 – Need to keep your hands nimble for the installations? Invest in disposable HotHands hand warmers. Slip them in your gloves (or your shoes for that matter!) for eight hours of toasty warmth.
Tip #8 -Don’t forget the snow guards. If you’re installing in a cold weather region, make sure to recommend and install suitable snow guards that will help reduce the chance of “avalanches” of melting snow from composite roofing.
Tip #9 – When cutting DaVinci products in colder temperatures, it’s better to score the lightweight roofing tiles with a straight blade and then break the tile along the score. You can also use a saw blade with smaller and finer teeth.