Just noticed on a contractors’ website that they were boasting about working all day on a roof in winter while it was snowing and how happy the homeowner was when he came home to find the job completed.
What the owner and apparently the ‘roofer’ didn’t realize is that putting on shingles in freezing temperatures is not something a (Professional) roofer does. Why? Because shingles freeze and become brittle. They fracture when handled. Nail guns shatter the material around the nail shaft. In other words the unknowing homeowner is the one that got shafted. I wouldn't let this happen to you!
A few contractor websites justify roofing in freezing temperatures by saying "Roofers have bills to pay year 'round" or "all it takes is a little extra care in handling the shingles." I believe all credibility goes out the window (and the roof) with those statements.
Bottom line: DO NOT have composition shingles or membrane or shakes installed in freezing temperatures. Metal roofing is OK, but even then I would hesitate. I'm not selling roofing jobs, so I can be completely honest here.
