I’ve actually tried keeping a couple bundles in the basement overnight, then hauling them up in the morning. They were definitely more flexible at first, but after sitting on the cold roof for a bit, they stiffened right back up. Maybe if you could work super fast it’d help, but I’m not convinced it’s worth the hassle. Has anyone had better luck with that, or is it just one of those things that sounds good in theory?
Maybe if you could work super fast it’d help, but I’m not convinced it’s worth the hassle.
Yeah, that’s pretty much been my experience too. Tried the “warm shingle” trick a couple winters back—felt like a race against time before they turned into boards again. Ever tried using a heat gun up there? Not exactly OSHA-approved, but desperate times...
I hear you on the heat gun—tried that once and nearly melted my glove instead of the shingle. Honestly, I started leaning into the “let it warm up naturally” approach, even if it means waiting a few days. Not always practical, but I’ve had fewer cracked shingles that way. Plus, less chance of accidentally setting my roof (or myself) on fire. Ever tried storing bundles inside overnight? Makes ‘em a bit more flexible in the morning, at least until the wind kicks up...
Letting the shingles warm up naturally sounds good in theory, but I’m not totally sold on it—at least not where I live. Our weather’s all over the place, and waiting for a “warm enough” day can mean staring at half-finished work for a week straight. I actually tried the “store bundles inside” trick last weekend. It helped a bit, but by the time I got to the last few pieces, they’d stiffened up again. Maybe I’m just too slow, or maybe the wind here is extra brutal.
One thing I found that worked (sort of) was laying out a few bundles in the sun on the driveway while I prepped the roof. Not super high-tech, but they softened up faster than the ones I kept inside. Still had to be careful not to over-bend them, though. Anyone else notice that some brands seem more brittle than others? My neighbor swears by a certain brand, but I just grabbed what was on sale. Wonder if that makes a difference...
I’ve definitely noticed some brands are way stiffer, especially in colder temps. I tried the “in the sun” trick too—works okay if you time it right, but yeah, you can’t leave them too long or they get weirdly floppy. Did you find the sale shingles were harder to work with overall? I’ve wondered if price actually means better flexibility or if it’s just marketing.
