The answer is "It's getting pretty darn close!"
The main thing to keep an eye on when installing a new roof at the end of the season is temperature. Manufacturers tell us that we can roof all year round but I think they may be a little biased when it comes to how willing they are to accept our money all year round for their products :)
The unwritten rule among roofers is we try not to install when the temperature drops below 40 degrees F. The reason for this is that when the shingles come out of the packaging they are stiff, fresh, and not broken in and they need some heat from the sun to settle down and seal. If you have ever seen a new roof and wondered why it was "wavy" or had gaps right after it was put on it is for this reason. The same wavy roof will settle down and seal after several days of heat baking the shingles and breaking the stiff tar bonds and "melting" the shingles to one another.
If a roof is installed after the temperature is too cold then the shingles will not settle down and seal properly leaving small spaces where debris like ice, leaves, sticks, anything, can enter and comprise the functionality of the shingle and cause problems in the future. And since we contractors have to back up our workmanship we don't like to take unnecessary risks that could lead to service calls in near future.
So if you are still wondering if you can get your new roof put on before the winter comes in the answer is "get on it now". The temperature is coming down to a consistent low 40's and we are all rushing to get as many projects taken care of as we can before it becomes too cold. I would say that realistically we have 20-30 days left of roofing until well all have to put off installing new roofs until roughly may-june of 2014.
Please email questions or comments to me, Brian Alexander, at Brianontheroof@gmail.com.
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