Can You Install a Metal Roof in Winter? What Ontario Homeowners Should Know

Can you install a metal roof in winter? Yes. We install metal roofs year-round across Southern Ontario, as long as it’s safe to be on the roof. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

What makes a winter day workable

Snow on the roof doesn’t stop a job. Instead, the crew shovels it off before they start. However, some weather does stop work:

• Freezing rain or ice on the roof
• Heavy snow falling during the day
• High winds

When the weather turns, the crew waits for a safe day. Safety comes first, for the crew and for your home.

Also, the cold doesn’t change how the roof goes on. Asphalt shingles need warm sun to seal down. Metal panels, on the other hand, are fastened to the deck and locked together on all four sides, whatever the temperature.

The one part that needs warmth is the ice and water membrane. In cold weather, the crew nails it in place, and it bonds to the deck and seals around the nails once the weather warms up.

Why some homeowners don’t wait for spring

If your roof is leaking, losing shingles or letting animals in, waiting until spring can mean months of damage. In that case, a new roof this winter stops the problem now. Here’s how to tell if you need a new roof, not just a repair.

On the other hand, if your roof is wearing out but not leaking yet, winter is a good time to plan. That way, you can choose your product and colour without rushing.

What takes longer in winter

Shorter days and weather pauses can stretch a job out. However, the quality of the work doesn’t change. The roof goes on the same way it would in July.

One exception: snow guards

Snow guards on an existing roof are generally installed outside the winter months. So if snow sliding off your roof is a problem this winter, call us now to get on the schedule. Here’s how snow guards work.