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Yes. In Murfreesboro and most of Middle Tennessee, roofs get replaced all winter. Our winters are cold at night but usually mild by afternoon, so most weeks have good working days. The things that stop a roof job here are rain, ice, and snow, not the cold by itself. When it’s below about 40 degrees, the shingles need extra care, and that’s what this post walks through.
If you’ve been told to “just wait till spring,” here’s what you should know before you decide.
There’s no hard cutoff, but 40F is the line manufacturers watch. GAF says shingles are easiest to handle above 40F, and that installing below that is fine as long as the crew follows its cold-weather steps. Owens Corning uses the same 40F mark.
Two things change when it gets cold:
The fix is well documented. Manufacturers call for storing shingles somewhere warm before install (GAF suggests above 70F for 24 hours if possible) and hand-sealing: placing small dabs of approved roofing cement under each shingle so it’s bonded right away instead of waiting for warm weather. GAF also notes that a shingle that fails to seal because it never got warm enough is not a manufacturing defect. In plain terms, the crew’s cold-weather work is what protects you.
Milder than most people think. NOAA’s 30-year averages for Murfreesboro look like this:
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Nights at or below 32F |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 51F | 31F | about 20 |
| January | 48F | 28F | about 22 |
| February | 53F | 30F | about 18 |
| March | 61F | 37F | about 12 |
So a typical winter day starts below freezing and climbs into the upper 40s or low 50s by afternoon. That’s a workable day for a careful crew, once the frost is off the roof.
The real winter problems here are wet days and ice. Murfreesboro averages about 12 to 13 days with rain or snow each month from December through March. And every so often we get a storm like the one on January 24 and 25, 2026, when freezing rain coated Middle Tennessee in ice. Nashville saw half an inch to three quarters of an inch of ice and the largest power outage in Nashville Electric Service history. Middle Tennessee Electric, which serves Rutherford County, had about 15,000 members out the first morning. Nobody should be on a roof on days like that, and a good roofer won’t be.
Days are also shorter. January has about 10 hours of daylight, so crews start once the roof is dry and safe and plan the day to finish in the light.
Yes, a few real ones. The biggest is that problems don’t get worse while you wait.
Most winter problems come from rushing, not from the cold itself. Here’s what to watch for:
If you’re getting quotes this winter, ask each roofer how they handle cold days. A good answer mentions hand-sealing, how they store materials, and what they do if weather moves in mid-job.
We follow the manufacturer’s cold-weather instructions on every job. On days near or below 40F, we store shingles warm, handle bundles carefully, and hand-seal the shingles. We watch the forecast closely, start after the roof is dry and frost-free, and don’t leave the roof open overnight. If the weather turns, we reschedule. A one-day delay is better than a roof that wasn’t done right.
Every roof we install is done by our own crews, never subcontractors, and comes with our lifetime workmanship warranty. We’re certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Tamko, and Malarkey.
In March 2026, right after the January ice storm, our veteran-owned, GAF-certified crew replaced a 34-square GAF Timberline HDZ roof on a home in Murfreesboro. We worked through freezing temperatures, ice, and on-and-off rain, and hand-sealed every shingle so it would stay locked down before the next cold snap. We tore off, dried in, and finished in 2 days, and the homeowner had a watertight roof before the next storm hit.
Protect the Home. Earn the Trust.
It depends on the roof. If it’s leaking, missing shingles, or was damaged in a storm, don’t wait. Water damage only gets more expensive. If your roof is just getting old but is still tight, there’s nothing wrong with planning for spring.
Either way, the smartest first step is a free inspection now. Then you know where you stand. If the roof has a few good years left, we’ll tell you. Not sure what to look for? Our post on signs your roof needs to be replaced covers the big ones.
Usually not, for a straight reroof. Both the City of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County exempt roof covering replacement from a building permit, as long as the job doesn’t involve replacing the roof deck (sheathing) or the framing. If rotted decking or rafters need to be replaced, a permit is required.
A few local notes:
Call as soon as it’s safe. Ice, wind, and falling limbs can break shingles, bend flashing, and pull gutters loose. We’re open 24/7 and respond within the hour. If water is getting in, our emergency roof repair team can protect your home first.
Next, we inspect the roof, using a drone where it makes sense, photograph the damage, and give you a written estimate. Many homeowners policies cover sudden storm damage, but every policy is different. The claim itself is between you and your insurance company, or a licensed public adjuster if you hire one. If you’d like, we’ll meet your adjuster at the house to point out the damage we documented. We never waive, absorb, or rebate deductibles. More on how that works is on our storm damage repair page.
Will my new shingles seal if they’re installed in December?
Yes, eventually. The seal strips finish bonding once the roof gets enough sun and warmth, which may not happen until spring. That’s why shingles installed in cold weather should be hand-sealed, so they’re held down in the meantime.
Can you install a metal roof in winter?
Yes. Metal panels don’t rely on a heat-activated seal strip the way shingles do, but the roof still needs to be dry and free of ice for the crew to work safely. A metal roof usually takes us 2 to 3 days.
Does installing in cold weather void my shingle warranty?
Not by itself. Manufacturers expect their installation instructions to be followed, including the cold-weather steps. GAF notes that shingles that don’t seal because they never got warm enough aren’t covered as a manufacturing defect, which is one more reason hand-sealing matters.
How long does a roof replacement take in winter?
A full shingle replacement on most homes takes us about 1 day once the weather is right. Winter can add a day or two of waiting for a dry, ice-free window.
How much does a new roof cost in Murfreesboro?
A full shingle replacement on an average Murfreesboro home usually runs $12,000 to $16,000. Our roof replacement cost guide explains what moves the price, and we offer financing if that helps.
How long will a new shingle roof last?
Architectural asphalt shingles typically last 25 to 30 years in Middle Tennessee when they’re installed and ventilated correctly.
Whether you’re planning a replacement or just want to know what shape your roof is in before the next ice storm, we’ll come take a look for free. No pressure, and a straight answer. If you would rather start with a ground-level check, our guide to getting your roof ready for winter shows what to look for. Call 615-258-9977 or request your free inspection online. We answer 24/7.
About the author: Don Hane, Navy Combat Veteran
Don owns Roof Troops Roofing LLC, a veteran-owned roofing company in Murfreesboro. He has been roofing in Middle Tennessee since 2009 (17+ years of experience), with more than 4,160 projects completed.
