Keeping up with routine maintenance and regularly inspecting your roof can help you keep your roof in good condition for a long time. But even the most diligent homeowner may need to replace their roof eventually. Asphalt shingles, for example, tend to last an average of 12.5 years, per the Metal Roofing Alliance. As your roof ages and the need for repairs becomes constant, you may want to consider a roof replacement.
Once you determine it’s time for a new roof, your next decision is choosing the season you’ll schedule your roof replacement. While you may be able to replace your roof at any time of the year, some seasons tend to be better than others due to temperature and weather conditions.
When Is the Best Time to Replace a Roof?
The best time of year to replace a roof is typically fall. However, there are pros and cons to all four seasons.
Pros and Cons of Fall
Roof replacement in the fall is often the ideal situation. The pros of replacing your roof during autumn include:
- Temperate weather: Fall tends to have the best weather conditions for roof replacement. Temperatures are cooler and more stable in the fall than in the summer and warmer than in winter. This temperate weather is ideal for installing all types of roofing before the extreme winter weather hits.
- Winter preparation: You can prepare your home for the winter by scheduling your roof installation in the fall.
- Faster job completion: Average roof replacement times are faster in the fall. Workers can complete the job faster because of the temperate weather, which allows roofers to spend more hours of the day working.
There’s one disadvantage of scheduling your roof replacement for the fall — this time of the year tends to be one of the busiest. Other homeowners use the fall to prepare their homes for winter, so contractors often have a packed schedule. If you schedule your replacement too late, available slots in a contractor’s schedule may be limited, and the price may rise due to the increased demand.
Pros and Cons of Spring
Many homeowners first notice problems with their roofs during the spring season. Harsh winter weather can lead to damage and leaks in your roof, and once the snow melts, it’s easier to spot these problem areas. Roof replacement in the spring can be another good option, though it comes with a few more cons than fall. The pros of replacing your roof in the spring include:
- Warmer temperatures: Similar to fall, spring temperatures are ideal for a roof installation job. The temperature is starting to warm, but it hasn’t grown to the extreme heat of summer. This means roofing crews will work more efficiently, and roofing materials are applied in ideal conditions.
- Comfortable working conditions: Due to the temperate weather, working conditions are more pleasant, so workers are likely to work more quickly and require fewer breaks.
However, spring also tends to come with more unpredictable weather than the fall. Many regions experience long periods of rain in the spring, and some regions even continue to experience snow. This could lead to a lengthier installation process. Another disadvantage of a spring install is thermal shock, which is an effect caused by large temperature swings in a short period of time. Thermal shock affects single-ply and shingle systems, as shingles may not seal correctly, or the seal may be broken. Single-ply can expand and shrink, breaking open seams and flashings.
Pros and Cons of Summer
While roof installations are popular in the summer, they also tend to be more unpredictable. Some of the cons of installing your roof in the summer include:
- Extreme heat: In the summer, the sun shines bright, and temperatures are high. Shingles can be less durable, as they aren’t meant to set in extreme heat.
- Scheduling difficulties: Since summer is a popular time for roof installations, getting on a contractor’s schedule can be difficult. A roof replacement in the summer generally requires some planning ahead.
- Uncomfortable working conditions: Along with high temperatures, the weather can also be very humid, making for uncomfortable working conditions. Workers may need more breaks, which makes the job a longer process.
