The Best Time of Year to Replace Roofs

Nothing lasts forever. Not even a perfectly constructed roof.

Some undeniable signs that a roof needs replacing include the following:

Water damage

Mold growth

Sagging

Noticeable leakages in the attic

Rotting in the underlay

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Any of the above factors need to be addressed ASAP.

Whether it's residential roofing services or commercial roofing services you’re looking at, it’s essential to know the answer to, when is the best time to replace a roof?

The perfect roofing season can vary—let's dive into how!

Best Time to Replace Roof: Overview of Roofing Seasons

Summer

Offering the best temperature for roof replacement, summer makes the life of a contractor much easier. Consistent warm and dry weather allows all tools and materials to function as intended and ensure that there are no delays in the installation process.

However, this is subject to change depending on the kind of summer you’re experiencing. Long days of extreme heat and humidity could throw a wrench in the works — with roofing contractors less likely to put in long hours of work.

This heat could have an effect on different types of roofing materials, as well. Asphalt shingles, for instance, are more likely to melt in high temperatures, making them less durable in the long run.

Summer is also the best answer to when is the slow season for roofing, and hence more likely to get you a better deal.

So, if you’re looking for a bargain and easy availability of contractors, summer is the best time to replace roof.

Spring

Arguably the best time of year for roof replacement, spring is known best for mild temperatures—and the end of winter is perfect for home improvement projects.

The weather offers the best temperature to install roof shingles, and also ensures contractors can work long hours without being exposed to extreme temperatures.

Long and harsh winters also expose the damage caused by weather conditions to roofs, making spring a great time to get ahead on repairs for the coming winter.

Spring is milder than the summer months, warmer than winter, and less busy than autumn. However, it also comes with one major drawback for roofing experts— rain.

Can a roof be replaced in the rain? Honestly, most contractors will refuse. The slippery surfaces put their crews’ lives at risk, after all. At the same time, installing a roof in the rain exposes your roof deck to moisture, which leads to the buildup of mold and mildew. In the long run this could cause more damage than it sets out to fix.

So if it’s a particularly dry spring, it could be the cheapest time to replace roof. But even the slightest risk of rain could delay work by months, increasing costs.

Autumn

As winter approaches, homeowners start to panic. Suddenly roof damage becomes more apparent, and the thought of having to deal with long months of winter with a leaky roof is a chilling one.

Luckily, autumn also offers the best temperature for roof replacement. It’s not too cold, not too warm, and unlike spring, it doesn’t come with the threat of unpredictable rain.

This brings us to the one drawback. Since it’s generally accepted that autumn is one of the best seasons for any kind of roof work, contractors are in high demand during this period. This could create scheduling issues and extend the duration of your project.

It also increases your chances of being exploited by ‘seasonal contractors’ who take advantage of this demand, offering mediocre services for a premium—all the while using poor quality materials.

To truly make the most of the mild weather autumn offers and to complete your roof construction well before winter, it’s advisable to start planning with a trusted contractor a few months in advance.

Roof Replacement in Winter

Can a roof be replaced in the winter?

In terms of contractor availability, it might not be such a bad idea to push your construction work to the early winter months.

Roof replacement in winter could, in some cases, mean lower prices, easier scheduling, and the chance to get work done before the spring showers come in.

But if you were to ask a roofing expert about when is the slow season for roofing, they’d tell you winter. Like rain, ice and sleet create slippery surfaces that roofing contractors and their crew shouldn’t be working on. Even without actual snowfall, the low temperatures make it hard for contractors to work for extended periods, leading to long delays.

While replacing tiles shouldn’t be a major problem in a dry winter, other projects, working with shingles, for example, are highly discouraged in low temperatures since they are more likely to crack or break in the cold.

So while roof replacement in winter isn’t unheard of and may even be a cost-effective solution, it isn’t always recommended.

The Bottom Line: The Best Time of Year For Roof Replacement

Now that we have the answers to the most commonly asked questions, such as “Can you install a roof in the rain?” or “When is the slow season for roofing?”—the decision on when to carry out roof replacement activities should be a lot easier.

However, if you’re looking for a definitive answer on when is the best time to replace a roof, it depends on what you prioritize:

To get the best price: We recommend either the winter or summer months, provided the weather isn’t too extreme

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To prepare for harsh climates: We would recommend the autumn months, since it prepares your roof for both the upcoming winter and spring showers

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To get it done quickly: Avoid seasons where weather conditions could lead to long delays. At the same time, avoid autumn with all its scheduling issues. The process of elimination leaves us with early spring.
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Hopefully, by now, you should have a clear idea of the best time of year for roof replacement. If you’re looking for more specific information, say on solar panel installation on tile roofs, or for more quality roofing solutions, AMECO has you covered.

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