What Is the Best Time of Year To Replace a Roof?

Are you thinking of the best time to replace your roof? Regardless of the size of your house, this is a crucial decision you must consider carefully. After all, you want to ensure you find the best roofer in Kingston, NY, the roof gets appropriately installed, and the weather cooperates throughout the project. 

Although most consider fall the best season for roof replacements, let’s look at your options below!

Roof Replacement

Some reasons might be more or less in demand for replacing roofs depending on the weather, client needs, and temperatures outside. Consequently, choosing the best season for replacing your roof is also a crucial part of the planning.  

Seasonal demands vary depending on your area’s climate and conditions. So, if you’re unsure of what seasons are busy and slow for roof replacement, contact a roofing company around your area who can answer your queries. 

Although choosing the best season for your roof replacement is crucial, there are some situations where you may need immediate interventions. Here are a few scenarios where you need service fast:

    • Your roof has missing shingles.
    • You have exposed light. 
    • You spot damaged flashings. 

In those scenarios, it’s best to act as fast as possible. But, if you have some time to spare, here are the pros and cons of roof replacement during each season.

Fall (September to November)

Roof with fallen leaves in fall

Pros of Fall Roof Replacement

Most roofers consider fall to be the best time for a roof replacement due to the following reasons:

    • It ensures comfortable temperatures throughout the day, ideal for the roofers and shingles!
    • Mild weather. 
    • Ideal timing. 

Temperatures during fall range from 45 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, offering ideal working conditions for roofers—letting them complete the job in time! The perfect temperatures matched with lower humidity give your shingles the time to seal before entering the snowy months.

Although fall might bring more precipitation than other seasons, as storms are still in effect at this time, rain showers are less likely to happen for the most part. 

Cons of Fall Roof Replacement

Since many consider fall the best season for roof replacement, expect roofers to be busy in September, October, and November. Aside from that, since summer is also a busy season, jobs from that season may spill into fall. All these mean that you might not be able to secure a schedule for roof replacement during these times. 

Aside from that, roofers may also work longer hours with fewer weather delays during fall, letting them complete their jobs quicker than anticipated—allowing the roofing contractor’s replacement schedule to stay on time.

So, if you’re considering replacing your roof during fall, you must plan for at least 1 or 2 months in advance. Contact your preferred roofers to get quotes and set a schedule to secure your spot during this prime season. 

Spring (March to May)

Image of a large house roof

Pros of Spring Roof Replacement

Spring’s gradually warming climate starts the race of attempting to complete your roof replacement. If you’ve experienced roofing issues during winter, you’ll likely need to replace your roof in the spring. 

Springtime is an excellent season for roof replacement due to the following reasons:

    • More availability. 
    • Open schedules.
    • Lower humidity. 

During springtime, roofers aren’t as packed as fall, so most should be able to accommodate you ASAP. With this, you can enjoy your summer without worrying about leaks or other roof damage. 

Schedules aside, the weather during springtime is also molder than winter, as you start to experience more sunshine and less snowing. Not to mention spring often has lower humidities than summer, reducing the chances of moisture ruining your roof during replacement.  

A roof under the rain

Cons of Spring Roof Replacement

Although you can secure a schedule with your preferred roofer sooner, the weather tends to be “wetter” during spring, especially around Kingston, NY. And this may cause your project to get pushed back a lot due to rain. 

But with most roofers, delays during the spring only last a few days, depending on if other projects also got moved due to rain. 

Summer (June to August)

Professional roofers on top the the roof replacing the house roof

Pros of Summer Roof Replacement

Summer is the second most popular season for roof replacements, thanks to the high chances of clear weather! It ensures consistent and warm weather—and is free from any rain (most of the time)! Usually, the earlier you have your roof replaced in the summer, the better it is. 

Early summer is when humidities are lower and is still bearable to work on for most roofers. Plus, the usual summer storms are yet to hit at this time! Aside from that, you may save some cash if you do it early in the summer, as it helps you be more energy efficient. 

Finally, you don’t have to worry about fly-off or leakage during roof replacement in the summer, thanks to the heat emitted by the sun! It ensures the tar strips on the back of asphalt shingles activate and stick correctly. 

A person with a tool repairing the roof

Cons of Summer Roof Replacement

As I mentioned earlier, replacing your roof during early summer is ideal. But if you wait until the later days or during the peak of the season, the weather conditions won’t be as good. The heat can be unbearable for most roofers and your roof! 

Roofs can get up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than ground temperature. And not only are these unbearable working conditions, but it also impacts the installation of roofing materials. After all, asphalt shingles may soften under the extreme heat, making them weaker and susceptible to damage during replacement. 

Aside from that, it can be challenging to secure a schedule during summer as it’s one of the most popular times for homeowners. So, expect a slow turnaround time. From inspection visits to the roofers stepping onto your property, you’ll need to wait longer than during other seasons. 

Winter (December to February)

A roof with a snow

Pros of Winter Roof Replacement

The cold weather, falling snow, and ice formation won’t stop roofers from replacing your roof. So, even if winter comes with many challenges, many roofing companies still offer their services during this time. After all, when done correctly, they can upgrade your roofing even in the freezing weather. 

The roofers’ availability is the most significant benefit of having roof replacement during winter. After all, winter is the least busy season for roofing firms. So, as long as the weather permits, you can secure a schedule faster than any other season. And this is ideal if you’re experiencing issues!

A roof that is freezing on ice

Cons of Winter Roof Replacement

Winter isn’t the best season to have asphalt shingles installed. It’s best to wait until the temperature warms as the cold weather might cause them to lose flexibility. As a result, it’ll be more challenging for the roofers to cut and insert nails. 

Aside from that, shingles also require heat and sunlight to activate the tar sealants on their backs. And these might not get activated during the colder season, causing them to not adhere well to your roof. Some roofers may supplement via hand-sealing methods to prevent your shingles from blowing off with the wind. However, this often comes in extra labor costs, making you spend more than necessary!

Finally, roof replacements might take longer during this season as days are shorter. 

A roof that is under repair by a roofer

What to Expect During a Roof Installation?

Ideally, roofers can tear down and replace roofs anywhere between 1 and 4 days. But when faced with terrible weather conditions, roof installation can last anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks. Regardless of how long it takes, roof installation can cost you between $5,000 to $16,000, depending on your location, home, and roof size. 

You may also want to discuss their process for keeping your front and backyard debris-free with roofers. 

A person that is repairing the house roof

Why Replace Your Roof?

You can occasionally check your roof’s functionality, but issues aren’t always visible. See the date of your current roof to see how long it has left and determine if you’ll need a new roof soon. Generally, shingle roofs last between 20 and 25 years, while those installed over a layer of shingles need replacement after precisely 20 years. 

You can determine if your shingles are damaged if some aren’t lying flat. Whether it’s cracked patches or buckling shingles, these are signs it’s time to roof repair Poughkeepsie to have your roof repaired. 

Meanwhile, some common reasons to replace your roof include excess leakage, damaged shingles beyond repair, and mold or fungi growth. 

Image comparison of person doing roof repair vs roof replacement

What’s the Difference Between Roof Replacement and Repair?

Considering the high costs of replacing a roof, you must determine if it’s still fixable with repairs before committing to a total replacement. Here are some scenarios where it’s better to have your roof repaired than replaced:

    • Your roof has minor damages. 
    • You have a limited budget. 
    • You need roofing services with short notice. 

If you’re unsure what to do, contact a roofer near me to discuss the situation. After all, even if some roof damage only needs repairing, there are some situations where it’s necessary to replace your roof.

Plan Ahead

The best time to replace your roof is when you’ve planned for it and have not faced an emergency. Seek the best time for your convenience. You may also shop to see what a roofer in New York will charge and across the state to check what times of the year they have the lowest rates. Any reliable roofing company would be happy to accommodate you, inspect your roof, and offer a no-obligation quote. 

So, you can see why planning is the best “time” to replace your roof. It lets you get the time needed with a reliable roofer. Never wait for an emergency to appear, and contact a roofer near you to find out how your roof’s doing!