That depends on the specific material the manufacturers’ shingle installation requires. For Instance, Owens Corning’s recommendations for installation of Owens Corning asphalt shingles in cold weather is when the air and surface temperatures are at or below 40°F includes applying 4 spots of asphalt roof cement per field shingle (complying with the ASTM D4586, Type I or Type II). The four spots of roof cement should be evenly spaced on laminate (architectural) shingles approximately 1 inch from the leading edge of the shingle and pressed in placed. Take caution to ensure the asphalt roof cement does not squeeze out beyond the leading edge of the shingle. All shingles along the rake edge must also be hand sealed when ambient temperatures are at or below 40°F.
Shingles installed in cold weather may not immediately seal until warmer temperatures are present for the sealant to activate. This lack of sealing could result in shingle blow offs during a high wind event. Most manufacturers’ warranties will not cover shingle blow offs if the installation did not comply with their cold weather requirements. We have seen numerous times when a roof was improperly installed in cold weather was damaged or partially blown off in a high wind event in Colorado.
For flat roof installations that require adhesive to apply the roof membrane, a typical minimum ambient temperature of 50 degrees is required for the adhesive to properly activate and set up allowing for full adhesion of the single-ply membranes. Failure to allow the adhesive to set up and cure can result in the membranes coming off in high wind events.