7 Reasons Fall is the Perfect Time to Replace Your Home's Roof

When your home needs a new roof installation, fall is the best time to do so. After the storms of summer and prior to the winter freezes, autumn presents the perfect weather for a new roof installation and a chance to prepare your home to face snow, ice and cold temperatures.

Be sure to book your roofing contractor in quickly as you may need to allow several weeks of lead time before they can send a crew to your home. This is due to so many homeowners catching on to the fact that September through November is the ideal season. Here are 7 reasons why.

1. Summer wind, rain, and hurricanes (especially here in Houston) can take a toll on your roof, especially when it is approaching the end of its expected lifespan. It's a must to get your roof inspected at summer's end (Monarch does this for free), as well as immediately after a severe storm and take care of any issues as soon as possible. If you need a complete replacement roof, you'll save money by doing it according to your own schedule and not as a roofing rush emergency job.
2. Fall has the ideal weather conditions for a roof replacement. Roofing is best installed on a clear day when the thermometer is above 45 to 50 degrees, particularly if you are using asphalt shingles (the top roofing material in America). This allows the shingles' seal strips to melt and adhere properly due to the ambient warmth. At the same time, your roofer will be able to work better when it's not excessively hot.
3. It is vital that the shingles are properly sealed before winter comes along so that they form an airtight and moisture-resistant barrier against frigid temperatures and bad weather. With this proper seal, the shingles are less likely to be blown off by gusty winds.
4. Shingles can tend to become brittle and more difficult to work with as the air grows colder. Shingle manufacturers typically recommend asphalt roofing installation at temperatures of 26 degrees and up. When cold, it is vastly easier to break a cold, brittle shingle when fastening it which means that the roofer must hand nail instead of using a roofing gun, making the job more difficult and slower.
5. Another great reason to do a roof replacement in the autumn is that once winter storms start up, any current small holes or leaks will almost unavoidably get worse. Add to that the weight of a heavy snowfall or the danger of ice dams and we have a fiasco in the making.
6. If you're considering putting off a new roof installation until the middle of winter, think again. While December to March is typically the slowest part of the year for roofing contractors, don't assume that you can hire a roofer at a lower price. Some contractors will offer discounts on winter jobs, but many roofing crews get busy with other types of work in the winter months or take a much-needed vacation after the summer and fall rush.
7. Re-roof your house in autumn and save on heating bills while keeping your family cozy in winter. If your HVAC system is located in the attic, a new roof will help it operate at peak effectiveness. Plus, roof replacement may qualify you to receive a federal tax credit for energy efficiency until December 31, 2016, applicable to the roofing material. Save all receipts and product labels for when it comes time to file your income tax return.