Waiting feels like defeat, but honestly, less hassle (and money) in the long run.
I get that feeling, but honestly, I learned the hard way that patience actually saves you from a ton of headaches. A couple years back, I tried to rush a ridge repair on my garage roof in late November—temps were just above freezing. The shingles felt stiff as cardboard, and even with a heat gun, half of them cracked or wouldn’t lay flat. Ended up having to redo the whole section come spring, which meant double the work and wasted materials.
It’s tempting to just push through, especially when you see a clear day in the forecast, but cold shingles just don’t cooperate. Plus, nailing into brittle material can mess up your underlayment if you’re not careful. I’ve found it’s better to focus on prep—cutting and staging everything—then wait for a mild spell. Not saying it’s fun to stare at an unfinished roofline for weeks, but it beats dealing with leaks or replacing busted shingles down the road.
If you’re in a spot where winter drags on (I’m in upstate NY—so yeah), patience really is the shortcut... even if it feels like you’re losing momentum.
That’s a good point about cold-weather installation—shingles just don’t behave the same when it’s freezing. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried using ridge vent systems with integrated baffles in these conditions? I’ve heard they can be trickier to install but might help with long-term ventilation and moisture issues.
has anyone tried using ridge vent systems with integrated baffles in these conditions? I’ve heard they can be trickier to install but might help with long-term ventilation and moisture issues.
Tried it last January, actually. Let’s just say my fingers still haven’t forgiven me. The baffles do make things a bit more fiddly—lining them up when the plastic’s stiff from the cold is a pain. But once they’re in, the airflow is noticeably better. I had less frost buildup in the attic this winter, so that’s a win. Just be ready for some wrestling if you’re doing it below freezing... and maybe keep the coffee hot.
Had a similar experience last winter—those baffles are no joke when it’s below freezing. I remember trying to get them lined up while my hands were basically numb, and the plastic just didn’t want to cooperate. But honestly, once everything was in place, the attic stayed drier than usual. If you’re dealing with a lot of moisture or ice damming, it’s worth the hassle. Just budget extra time if you’re working in the cold... patience (and maybe a space heater) goes a long way.
Totally get where you’re coming from—working in freezing temps is a whole different beast. I remember thinking, “How hard can it be to slot in a few plastic baffles?” Turns out, pretty tough when your fingers are basically popsicles. But you nailed it: once you push through and get them set, the payoff is real. My attic used to have condensation issues every winter, and after all that hassle, things stayed much drier.
I will say, if anyone’s on a tight budget like me, it’s tempting to rush and skip steps just to get back inside. But I learned (the hard way) that taking it slow—double-checking each baffle, making sure they’re snug—saves you from headaches later. If you can borrow a small space heater or even just take breaks to warm up, it helps a ton.
It’s not fun in the moment, but honestly, the effort’s worth it for a dry attic and fewer ice dams. Sometimes I wish I’d waited for a warmer day, but then again, winter projects always come with their own set of “adventures,” right?
