More often than not, we’ve found that homeowners don’t plan to replace their roofs during winter. Rather, Murphy’s Law kicks in, and replacement becomes necessary due to leaks and other issues that become obvious during a heavy snow.
We’re Equity Roofing, Platinum Preferred Contractors with Owens Corning, serving hundreds of homeowners across the Central PA area. We’re committed to providing clear education and expectations for our homeowners—because life is stressful enough without being confused or pressured by contractors.
Whether your roof has a severe leak or you simply want to get the job done as soon as possible, here is what you can expect from a winter roof installation when you work with our crew.
Yes, roofing crews can work through the cold months in Central Pennsylvania. The only time an installation would need to be rescheduled is during active rain or snow. Temperature alone is not a deal-breaker for most roofing materials.
For standard shingle or metal roofs, there are no official temperature restrictions. Technical Bulletins, which serve as installation guides provided by shingle manufacturers, include installation guidelines for temperatures below 40 degrees.
The one exception is rubber roofing, also called EPDM. For those installations, the exterior temperature needs to be around 25 degrees or higher because the glue requires special heating blankets to work properly.
We go into more depth on this topic in our article, “Can a New Roof be Put on in Winter?”
Shingles are stiffer in cold weather, so when they’re first installed, you may notice some waviness in how they lie. This is normal and temporary. Once warmer weather arrives, and the sun beats down on the roof for eight to ten days, the shingles will flatten out and look smooth.
Shingles are designed to self-seal over time. The back of each shingle has an adhesive strip that activates with heat from the sun. In winter, this sealing process takes longer.
This is why crews hand-seal the rake edges of shingle roofs during winter, the sides of the roof where wind is most likely to catch and lift shingles. Hand sealing uses a caulk gun to apply adhesive, giving those edges extra protection until the warmer weather allows the shingles to seal naturally.
Metal roofs can also be installed in winter. Snow removal is often necessary before installation can begin, which may add a day to the timeline. Once installed, the metal panels will expand and contract with temperature changes, but this happens regardless of the season.
Oil canning, a wavy appearance in metal panels, is not more likely to occur during winter installation. The crew takes the same precautions to prevent this issue, no matter what time of year the work is done.
Some situations create urgency that makes waiting for warmer weather impractical for your roof.
If your roof is leaking but the ice buildup is too severe for safe work, temporary repairs like tarping can help until conditions improve. Some homeowners have to let leaks run their course until the ice melts enough for crews to work safely.
However, if your situation is not urgent and you simply feel uncomfortable with a winter installation, waiting until spring is perfectly acceptable.
A winter roof installation will typically take about one extra day compared to a summer job. There are a few reasons for this added time.
The table below breaks down the key differences between summer and winter installations.
| Factor | Warm Weather Installation | Cold Weather Installation |
| Tear-off approach | The entire roof can be removed at once | Only tear off what can be installed that same day |
| Timeline | 1-4 days | Add about one extra day |
| Shingle sealing | Shingles self-seal from the sun's heat | Rake edges require hand sealing |
| Snow removal | Not needed | May require shoveling the day before |
| Nail cleanup | Completed same day | Return visit scheduled after the snow melts |
| Shingle appearance | Lays flat right away | May show waves for 8-10 days until the sun flattens them |
If there is snow on your roof, the crew may come out the day before installation to shovel it off. This gives the sun time to help melt any remaining snow and dry the surface. For lighter snowfall, shoveling might be done the same day as the installation.
Ice removal is trickier. When ice buildup is within a manageable thickness, crews can carefully break it apart using hammers. They work gently to avoid damaging the underlying structure. However, during unusually harsh winters with ice dams, the safest course of action may be to let the ice melt naturally.
When ice buildup is severe, a roof replacement may need to wait. There is no safe way to remove thick ice without risking damage to the roof structure or injury to the crew.
The preparation process for a winter installation looks very similar to a summer job. Crews will still tarp around the work area and protect your landscaping. The main difference is that the tear-off and installation happen in smaller sections throughout the day rather than all at once.
One thing homeowners can do to help is prepare walkways and driveways. If you can clear snow and put down salt before the crew arrives, that reduces slip hazards for the workers. If you are unable to do this yourself, just let our team know ahead of time so they can come prepared to handle it.
Cleanup happens the same way it does in summer, with one addition. Magnetic tools are used to pick up nails from the ground, but these magnets cannot pull nails through snow.
If there is snow on the ground during your installation, the crew will do their best to clean up nails. They’ll also schedule a return visit once the snow melts to do a thorough final cleanup.
Whether your roof is installed in winter or summer, your warranty coverage remains the same. The table below shows your coverage options.
| Manufacturer | Basic/Non-prorated | Extended/Non-prorated Warranty |
| Owens Corning | Up to 10 years | Up to 50 years with Platinum Preferred contractor |
| Manufacturer | Basic Workmanship Warranty | Top-tier Workmanship Warranty |
| Owens Corning | Up to 10 years with Preferred contractor | Lifetime (prorated after 25 years) with Platinum Preferred contractor |
Learn more in our guide, What Your Roof Warranty Covers and How to Keep It.
If you notice any issues after your winter installation, such as shingles that are not lying flat once the weather warms up, give our team a call. A crew member will come back out, take a look, and correct anything that needs attention.
There is no major advantage to replacing your roof in winter versus waiting for warmer months. However, there is also no reason to suffer through a leaking roof until spring if conditions allow for a safe installation. Winter roofing requires a few extra steps and a bit more time, but the end result is the same high-quality roof you would get any other time of year.
The biggest challenges are working in the cold and dealing with snow or ice on the roof. But with proper preparation, experienced crews, and realistic expectations about timelines and how your shingles will look, a winter roof installation can go smoothly.
If you’re ready to move forward with your roof replacement, review common cost ranges in our 2026 cost guide.
If you have questions about whether your roof can be replaced this winter, reach out to discuss your specific situation. Every roof is different, and the best approach depends on the current conditions and the urgency of your needs