Your roof is one, if not the most, important part of your home. Not only does it provide protection from the elements and keep your family warm and dry, but it also plays a key role in the overall value of your property. Therefore, maintaining it is crucial if you want to protect both your home and its value.
If you notice your roof is beginning to show signs of wear and tear, or if it’s been several years since your last roof replacement, then you might be wondering what is the best time for a roof replacement.
Some factors may depend on each individual homeowner and their particular needs and preferences, there are certain pros and cons to each season and various weather conditions that can help you make an informed decision.
Let’s take a look at the differences between doing roof repairs in the spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Winter
Pros:
One major advantage to winter roof replacement is that you are far less likely to have to deal with extreme heat or sun exposure. Since most homeowners tend to spend more time indoors during the cold weather months, it’s easier for them to schedule a roofing contractor and get the job done quickly.
Plus, the winter season is one of the cheapest times to replace your roof, as materials and labor rates will generally be lower in the slow season. The availability of roofers is also much more open, meaning you can shop around for the best price and find a roofer who will be able to complete your project in a timely manner.
Cons:
If you live in a location that experiences a harsh winter, then replacing your roof in the winter will likely be next to impossible, especially if you want to replace the entire roof at once.
This is because most roofing contractors don’t have the necessary experience or equipment to safely remove snow from roofs, making it extremely difficult for them to complete the job properly and safely. Therefore, if your roof has a large amount of snow on it, then you might want to consider waiting until spring before scheduling your next roof replacement.
New asphalt shingles also have much less flexibility in cold temperatures, which means they are more likely to crack or bend when being installed, and require extra effort on the part of the installer to ensure that they are properly fitted.
Spring
Pros:
Low humidity is a new roof’s dream! Due to the lack of humidity (i.e. warm rain), there’s less risk that your new roof will be damaged by moisture during installation, which means you can schedule a replacement appointment without worrying about any potential issues or setbacks from Mother Nature.
New roofing products are also usually in abundance and available at a lower price during the spring season, making it ideal to check out the latest in shingles technology or other roofing materials.
Cons:
While you are usually going to have lower humidity, it won’t stop the spring weather from coming. One potential downside to replacing your roof in the spring is that you may end up dealing with severe rain and wind storms, which could cause delays in scheduling or even affect the quality of work being done.
If there are hidden holes that were not properly replaced initially, those can become inflamed and cause interior damage to the home if not repaired before the rains.
Summer
Pros:
Summer months are always a popular time for outdoor work . It is considered the best time to replace your roof because the weather is mostly a non-factor. Replacing your roof can start early in the morning because the sun, while rising earlier, sets later in the evening.
The warm weather also means the tar used to seal the shingles is more likely to dry properly in the heat, preventing water damage on your home and also giving you peace of mind that your new roof will last for years to come.
The earlier in the summer you can schedule your roof replacement, the better, as this ensures that you are able to get a great price on materials and labor before the market gets busy.
Cons:
The most popular season means if you haven’t booked an early summer date for your roof replacement months in advance , then you may end up waiting quite a long time in the late summer due to the influx of bookings during the busiest time of the year.
Because there are so many people wanting to replace their roofs at once, supply chain issues may arise, which means you could end up paying more or even waiting longer than expected to get your new roof installed.
Additionally, extreme heat or sun exposure can make installing your new roof incredibly difficult for workers, so if you do need to replace it in the summer months, then be sure that everyone involved is taking precautions against possible dehydration and sunburn, which most roofing companies actively do.
Fall
Pros:
While many homeowners believe that summer is the best time to replace your roof due to the warmer weather, Fall is often overlooked. However, this season actually has many benefits to consider.
The first is that roofers tend to be able to get the job done faster in the fall months, as they can focus on the task without having to worry about hot weather conditions or potential rainstorms. As the cool weather comes in, you don’t need to worry about any additional moisture causing damage to your new shingles.
If you are curious about upgrading your roof with a higher quality material or design, then this is one of the best times of year to do so as manufacturers often have discounts available for those who purchase in the fall months.
Cons:
One potential downside of replacing your roof in the fall is that random rain or even snow storms can occur, which may delay the scheduling of your roof replacement.
With the winter fast approaching, many roofing contractors take on a “what job is the most important” approach to their work, which may mean that you end up waiting on your new roof or even being put further down on the list.
So if you do need to replace your roof in the fall months, be sure to book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible and keep a close eye on the weather forecast, so that you can try to reschedule if needed.
Final Thoughts
No matter the season, given the right weather conditions, you can have your roof replaced at any time of the year. However, if you are looking for speed and convenience, then spring or fall may be your best bet as roofers tend to have fewer bookings or concerns about extreme weather conditions during this time.
Ultimately, the best time to replace your roof is a personal choice that will depend on factors such as availability and budget. So consider all of your options carefully before making a final decision.
