Question for any roofing contractors out there. What do you guys like to see, temperature wise for a good job with “normal” 3 tab asphalt or fiberglass shingles ? I need to replace a roof, but the temperatures in our area (Maryland) are starting to get down in the low 30’s at night, 50’s to 60’s daytime. It can probably wait until spring without any problems. What is the coldest temps you like to see for a good job ?
Thanks in advance,
Bill Koustenis
Edited 11/2/2002 6:54:51 PM ET by Mr Bill
Replies
I just sat my tired tail down from roofing a double garage. It was 25 when I got up there this morning and temps reached 37 today. Three tab. (At least it didn't snow last night.) Now what do I like to see? For the roofer, 40 is a perfect temp. The shingles are hard, they don't scar, you don't sweat to death, the gun doesn't sink through them. For the shingles to seal, I like to see a couple of 60 degree days with sunshine. The asphalt does heat up enough to stick at cooler temps than most suspect. There are also some lines of shingle that are designed to stick in cold temps. We used Owens Corning today but they aren't the only ones. I think Elk and Certainteed also make some that way. As your supplier what they have for cold temps. You stick them down, nail them, and they're pretty much there. Now, I've seen but haven't tried - and maybe this should go in the crazy construction thread, guys plastic over the openings in things like this garage, light a reddy heater in there and shingle. No insulation, so all that heat rises and everyone up on the roof (and the shingles) get nice and toasty. Things ought to stick down real good when the sheathing is about 90.
Couple of things that are extremely important shingling in cold weather.
Shingle storage - you can't afford to let them be stacked in a way that builds wrinkles into them or they'll never lay flat, the wrinkles will be nailed into place so there will always be voids under them - not good.
Nailing - nails must not be overdriven. Brittle shingles are less forgiving. Guns must be adjusted carefully and/or shingle layer must know how to drive a nail flush. Shingle hatchets have a broad face that disperses the force of the blow over a wider area and are less likely to punch through.
I also am more prone to placing double nails in areas like within two feet of eaves and ridges because they experience greater wind speeds and uplift. It takes longer to seal down so the nails help.
I've laid'em down to minus 14°F but don't recommend going below 10°F
Of course the manufacturers only allow installation at temps of about 45° and up .
Excellence is its own reward!
I'd suggest getting a mutt. There are lots of great dogs out there in dog pounds, and locations of this same nature, which are not "purebreds", that have the characteristics that you are looking for. These dogs will be "put to sleep", after a short period of time, once they find themselves captured and brought to these places, because human beings, for the most part, haven't taken the time to train and guide them.
All to often, these dogs are found wandering helplessly in the street, with nowhere to call home. I know, I've found and helped many of these wonderful dogs find homes, at considerable expense, which I do not regret. Personally, it makes me sick to my stomach, to see how uncaring the human race can be.
Why not take the time to save a dog, that may be the best dog you could ever have as a companion, from certain death? All you have to do, is go down to one of these locations, open up and look truly into the kept animals eyes, to see who your best friend may be.
I agree with you but it seems a strange response to a roofing comment, LOL
I think maybe this was supposed to go into the dags thread..
Excellence is its own reward!