That curling thing drives me nuts. I did a cold-applied roll job on my buddy’s garage last fall—looked solid at first, but after a couple of those classic Midwest freeze-thaw cycles, the edges started to lift. We tried rolling them back down with a heat gun, but it was only a temporary fix. Way less nerve-wracking than torch-down (I’m not trusted with open flames after the “grill incident” anyway), but yeah, not exactly bulletproof.
I’m starting to wonder if the secret is in the prep work or just the product itself. Did you guys use primer or anything under the seams? I’ve heard some folks swear by using extra adhesive at the overlaps, but I’m not sure if that’s overkill or just smart insurance. Also, how much sun does your uncle’s shed get? I feel like direct sunlight bakes everything down better, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
Anyone ever try doing cold-applied in colder temps? I’ve heard it can be a nightmare if it’s not warm enough for the stuff to bond right...
Cold-applied in the Midwest is always a gamble, especially if you’re not catching a solid stretch of warm, dry weather. I’ve run into that same curling issue more than once—edges just don’t want to stay down after a couple freeze-thaw swings. For me, the biggest difference has been in the prep and using primer. I used to skip it, thinking it was just an upsell, but after a few jobs where seams kept lifting, I started priming under every seam and edge. It’s a pain, but it really does help with adhesion.
Extra adhesive at overlaps isn’t overkill in my book—more like cheap insurance. The stuff’s not expensive and takes maybe an extra half hour on a small roof. Sun exposure helps a bit, but if the temp isn’t right during install, it won’t make up for it later. Tried doing one in late October when it barely hit 50°F… never bonded right, and I ended up redoing half the edges by spring.
If you’re stuck doing cold-applied in cooler temps, storing rolls inside overnight and warming them up before rolling out helps a little, but honestly, nothing beats waiting for a warm spell.
Tried doing one in late October when it barely hit 50°F… never bonded right, and I ended up redoing half the edges by spring.
That’s exactly why I get nervous about any cold-applied stuff after September. I’ve had to patch up more than a few seams that just wouldn’t stay put. Did you ever try using a heat gun or anything to help with adhesion, or is that just asking for trouble?