If a roofing project is begins during cold weather, it is important to realize that weather affects most roof-system installations. Managers should consider these points for cold-weather roofing application.

Most materials used in any roof system are affected by cold weather. Left unprotected, they can get wet or too cold. Installing them if they are wet or before they have arrived at the proper temperature is likely to create problems with blisters or wrinkles. This is particularly problematic for materials such as SBS-modified bitumen that needs to “relax” before installation.
Many membrane and insulation adhesives can only be installed when the ambient air temperature is 40 degrees and rising. They also must be kept at acceptable temperatures during storage. If the adhesives are installed below these temperatures or are allowed to freeze, they might never achieve proper adhesion.

Several adhesive manufacturers restrict shipment of water-based products to the snow belt during the winter months. If a project is specified with these adhesives, they might be unavailable when work begins. This could require delaying the project or using alternative adhesives that might have objectionable odors or fumes.

Managers can mitigate several of these limitations with proper planning, such as temporary heated storage. Understanding the cold-weather limitations of the roof system and discussing the options before undertaking the project will help parties make informed decisions that help complete the project successfully.