Can you lay a roof in winter: what depends on the material
The rafters are up, it is October, and a neighbour says: “Nobody roofs in winter, wait for spring.” That is half right. For soft shingles that is true; for composite tiles, not necessarily.
Soft (bitumen) shingles are laid at temperatures of +5 °C or above: they are held by an adhesive layer, and the adhesive needs warmth. In Almaty in winter that warmth is rare. Composite tiles are fixed with nails, and manufacturers allow installing them in the cold. But even they are held back not by the thermometer but by snow and ice on the slope: nobody works on those, so winter installation goes ahead with breaks for snowfall. You can calculate the roof and order an estimate right now, without waiting for spring.
Why cold is a problem for soft shingles
Soft (flexible, bitumen) shingles are held by a self-adhesive layer: the tabs stick to each other like tape. In frost the adhesive does not bond, and that is the whole problem.
That is why installation instructions for flexible shingles set a threshold: not below +5 °C. If it is +5 to +10 °C outside, the tabs need to be warmed with a construction hair dryer so that the layer bonds. These figures are taken from manufacturers’ instructions and catalogues: asyst.ru, tm.by, Shinglas catalogue. The exact threshold differs for each brand and is set out in its instructions.
What the weather in Almaty is like
Let us compare the threshold with the climate norm. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this winter:
| Month | Average high (daytime) | Average | Average low |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | +2,3 °C | — | — |
| January | +0,7 °C | −4,7 °C | −8,4 °C |
The threshold for soft shingles is +5 °C. The average daytime high is +0.7 °C in January and +2.3 °C in December: on average even midday does not reach the threshold. Frosts in Almaty begin on average on 14 October and continue until 1 April, and sustained frosts last about 67 days, from 19 December to 23 February (data: article on the climate of Almaty, as of 2 October 2026).
An average does not rule out individual warm days. But building an installation schedule around thaws means checking every time what the instructions for your particular shingles say.
Why composite tiles are laid in winter
Composite tile is a steel sheet with a stone coating. It is fixed mechanically, with nails; the adhesive layer carries no load. A nail does not care what month it is. Manufacturers allow winter installation at lower temperatures than for bitumen shingles (Design & Build with Metal, DECRA).
| Soft (bitumen) | Composite | |
|---|---|---|
| What holds it | Self-adhesive layer | Nails (mechanical fixing) |
| Installation temperature | Not below +5 °C; at +5…+10 °C with a hair dryer | Manufacturers allow winter installation |
| What gets in the way in winter | Cold and ice | Snow and ice on the slope |
What changes in frost
Winter installation of composite tiles is not the same as summer installation. According to the Gerard installation guide, in cold weather the tiles and trim pieces are kept warm or lightly warmed before cutting or bending, without overheating. A pneumatic nailer in severe frost is not recommended by the same guide, and the last 5 mm of the nail is driven in by hand with a nail set. These provisions are taken from the manufacturer’s guide; for other brands, see their instructions.
What remains a limit: snow and ice
Cold is not the main obstacle to winter installation. The main one is a slope covered with snow or ice. Nobody works on an icy slope: this is an occupational safety requirement and does not depend on the material. In plain terms: you do not walk on snow on a slope, you wait for a dry day.
So an honest winter roofing schedule looks like “we work on dry days, and take a break for snowfall and ice.” If the contract sets the deadline without allowing for snowfall, it is worth asking how the contractor has provided for it.
A calculation and an estimate are paper, not work on a slope. Enter the roof area, choose the shape and brand, and you will see the cost from open price lists. All brands in the calculator are composite tiles.
Calculate a roof →What to ask the contractor about winter installation
If you are wondering whether to start in winter, these questions cover most of the risk. A good contractor will answer them straight away and without taking offence.
- What holds the chosen tile on: adhesive or nails? This answer determines everything else.
- From what temperature does the manufacturer’s instruction allow laying it? Ask to be shown the clause in the instructions, not a retelling.
- How does the schedule account for snowfall and ice? What the crew does on break days and how that is reflected in the contract deadlines.
- How are sheets and trim cut and stored in frost? According to the Gerard guide, they are kept warm before cutting.
- What is used for fixing in severe frost? Pneumatic tools are not recommended in severe frost; ask how this has been solved.
- What happens to the warranty with winter installation? Ask for the terms in writing: whether the manufacturer limits the warranty by installation temperature.
If the roof is not being laid yet
If you have decided to wait, that is a normal decision, not a failure. Advice on winterising an unfinished house usually suggests temporarily covering the rafters and returning to the roof in spring (for example, the ukrsmeta article). In that time you can calmly compare estimates, choose a brand and agree on a schedule.
There is no need to postpone calculating the roof: it takes minutes and risks nothing. The calculator’s result is approximate; the exact bill of materials is confirmed by an engineer from the drawing.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the material. Soft (bitumen) shingles are held by an adhesive layer, so they are laid at +5 °C or above, and at +5…+10 °C with warming by a construction hair dryer. Composite tiles are fixed with nails, and manufacturers allow installing them in the cold. The common limit is snow and ice on the slope: nobody works on those.
As a rule, no. According to the instructions for flexible shingles, installation takes place at +5 °C or above. In Almaty the average daytime high is +0.7 °C in January and +2.3 °C in December, so even daytime warmth on average does not reach the threshold. On warm days in the shoulder season work is possible, but only under the terms of the specific instructions.
Manufacturers allow winter installation of composite tiles, including at temperatures lower than for bitumen shingles. In frost, sheets and trim pieces are kept warm before cutting, and work goes ahead with breaks for snowfall and icing. For the exact conditions, see the instructions for the chosen brand.
By the long-term norm, frosts begin on average on 14 October and end on 1 April. Sustained frosts last about 67 days: from 19 December to 23 February.
Temperature thresholds, winter installation conditions and tool requirements are taken from manufacturers’ instructions and materials (links in the text) and may differ for a specific brand: the instruction for your tile is the one that decides. Climate data is a long-term norm, not a forecast. The calculator’s result is approximate; the exact estimate is confirmed by an engineer from the project.