Roof shingle storage guidelines:

Improper storage & handling at the building supplier or jobsite can shorten the life of roof materials. This article explains why asphalt roof shingle storage conditions and handling both at the building supplier and at the job site can have a marked effect on future roof life.

Absorption of water in shingles not protected from the weather, exposure to high temperatures, cold temperatures, and improper handling all can result in early failure of the roof and the need for costly repairs.

Often we can correlate a pattern of failed roof shingles with improper storage and damage to individual shingle bundles.

Storage of Asphalt Shingles: supplier or jobsite storage concerns

Roofing material storage conditions before & during installation can cause early roof failure and leaks and may also violate the roofing manufacturer's warranty.

Our photo at left shows water absorbed and soaked shingles taken from the middle of a pallet of asphalt roof shingles.

This was the result of exposure of the shingles to rain when the bundles were left outside, unprotected from the weather for some time before use.

[Click to enlarge any image or photo].

Here are additional roof shingle storage conditions that affect the future life of the roof:

• Sunlight and Heat Effects on Asphalt Shingles:
  
  Storing shingles in hot sun makes them stick together, making damage likely as they are pulled out of their bundle.


• Cold and Freezing Effects on Asphalt Shingles:
  
  Storing shingles in freezing conditions increases the chances that a shingle will crack when being used if applied in cold weather, especially ridge cap shingles which break when bent. We used to cut those and then leave them inside on a radiator until needed.


• Rain Effects on Asphalt Shingles:
  
  believe it or not, shingles are not quite waterproof and depend on roof slope to shed water effectively.
  
  Shingles that are left exposed to rain and then installed may violate the manufacturer's warranty and may fail early, possibly due to the effects of temporarily trapped moisture at the time of application.
  
  We have found sections of asphalt shingle roofs all showing early wear traceable to a specific bundles of asphalt shingles that were at the top of the stack and exposed to the weather.
  

• Storing Roof Shingles on Site: Stacking Shingles & Failure to Protect from Weather while storing shingles:
  
  shingles should not be stored at the supplier nor at the job site stacked higher than two pallets. If shingles need to be stacked higher, separator boards or plywood are needed under each pallet to protect the shingles below from damage by the weight and edges of the pallet and shingles stacked above.
  
  Our photo above illustrates poor storage of roof shingles outdoors, against a building, and for a protracted interval with no protection from the weather. You'll note that the shingle bundle wrapping is torn and open on a number of these bundles.
  
  We've seen shingle pallets eight-high with no inter-pallet protection at HG Page Lumber in Poughkeepsie and at an occasional Home Depot.
  
  But don't try giving the supplier your personal advice about how to stack their product, you'll just annoy them. Inspect and reject visibly damaged shingle bundles and hope that there are not more subtle damage effects not visible at first sight.


• Bending Asphalt Shingle Bundles:
  
  roofers like the shingle bundles to get up on the roof by magic - by a special loader or carried up by an assistant. A smart assistant spreads the bundles out over the roof to avoid too much weight in one place (point-load structural failures).
  
  But especially on a steep pitch roof, some "experts" put all of the bundles of shingles across the ridge.
  
  Bending shingles over the ridge (especially in cold weather, may violate the manufacturer's warranty and may damage the shingles, including subtle damage that appears after installation as early cracks, tears, or failures.
  
  See RIDGE & HIP CAP SHINGLES
  
  - original source (now a dead link) owenscorning.com/around/roofing/specs/Classic-C.pdf from Owens Corning cites their requirements for handling and storing shingles.


• Asphalt shingles should be stored:
  
  flat, in unopened bundles with labels intact and legible, in cool, not freezing and not hot temperatures (under 110 deg F.), under cover, protected from the weather, protected from damage by stacking more than two pallets high, and kept that way until they are ready for use.


• Asphalt roof shingles should be delivered:
  
  in flat, undamaged, unopened bundles, protected at the job-site (as described above), and when moved to the rooftop, shingle bundles should be laid flat, not over the ridge, and should not be placed with too much weight in locations that may damage the building structure.

How to Distinguish Shingle Storage Defects from Manufacturing Defects

The home above, observed in Haddonfield New Jersey in the U.S., illustrates granule loss from asphalt roof shingles that were installed in a ladder pattern on the roof. If just about 100 sq.ft. of shingles were failing before the rest of the roof I'd suspect that the top of a pallet of shingles was left exposed to the weather and was damaged.

When more of the roof shows this failure pattern but we still see such uneven wear, I suspect that more extensive or longer-duration storage problems may be at fault.

While granule loss has appeared on individual groups of these shingles - the darker ones - before their neighbours, a closer look at the roof shows that many more shingles are also losing their protective granules.

You can see this in the photo below both at left-center and along the upper right side of my picture.

Because it is most likely that all of the shingles at an individual residential roofing job came from the same pallet and were produced in the same shingle manufacturing run, when I see uneven wear like this all on a single roof slope exposed to the same sun and weather conditions, I do not think this is a defective roofing product.

This roof is discussed also

at LADDERING vs STAIR STEPPING SHINGLES

and we also describe it

at GRANULE LOSS from SHINGLES.

Asphalt Shingle Storage Guides

• ARMA, ASPHALT SHINGLE STORAGE & APPLICATION ADVICE [PDF] Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association (ARMA), - retrieved 2023/10/16, original source: https://www.asphaltroofing.org/recommendations-for-storage-and-application-of-asphalt-roofing-shingles-in-hot-weather/#:~:text=Storage Prior to Use&text=As a general rule in,down on the bundles below.
  
  Asphalt shingle storage in hot weather
  
  Excerpts:
  
  

  Storage Prior to Use

  Always follow the manufacturer’s precautions about stacking bundles and pallets; stacking bundles too high or double-stacking pallets can indent or deform the shingles over time, particularly in warm weather or when shingles are exposed to direct sunlight.
  
  As a general rule in hot weather, store shingles in a cool dry place in stacks no more than four feet high.
  
  If higher stacking is necessary, it is recommended to use racks or bins so that the weight of the bundles on the upper pallets does not bear down on the bundles below.
  
  Systematically rotate all stock so that the material that has been stored the longest will be the first to be moved out (i.e. first in, first out).

  Although asphalt shingles are designed to withstand direct exposure to the hot summer sun after installation, it is best not to store the products in direct sunlight prior to installation.
  
  Storage in direct sunlight may also cause a weathering and weakening of the packaging materials, making it awkward to handle the bundles prior to installation.

• CertainTeed SHINGLE APPLICATORS MANUAL - Landmark® Shingle Series Instructions [PDF] Certainteed Saint-Gobain Corporation, Building Professionals call: 800-233-8990 Consumers call: 800-782-8777 Website: certainteed.com/ retrieved 2019/09/11 original source: certainteed.com/resources/LandmarkInstall.pdf

Photo above: Iko says these shingles have been stacked properly on the roof.

• IKO, HOW to PROPERLY STACK SHINGLES on a ROOF [PDF] IKO Roofing Products, retrieved 2023/10.16, original source: https://www.iko.com/na/pro/building-professional-tools/roofing-101/how-to-stack-shingles-on-a-roof/
• Owens Corning, ROOFERS GUIDE to ROOF INSTALLATION [PDF] (2016)
  
  Excerpt:
  
  [Asphalt Shingle] Storage: Do not stack more than two pallets high. Store in a covered, ventilated area at a maximum temperature of 110°F.
• Owens Corning, DURATION SERIES SHINGLES INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] Owens Corning Corporation, retrieved 2023/10/16, original source: owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/install-instructions/duration-series
  Excerpts:
  Storage: Store in a covered, ventilated area at a maximum temperature of 110°F. Bundles should be stacked flat. Do not store near steam pipes, radiators, etc.
• Tamko, PROPER STORAGE of FIBERGLASS/ASPHALT SHINGLES [PDF] (2019), TAMKO Building Products, retrieved 2023/10.16, original source: tamko.com/docs/default-source/specs-techs/proper-storage-of-asphalt-shingles-(2019-08-28).pdf?sfvrsn=39b55aa0_10#:~:text=Interior storage in a cool,direct contact with the ground.
  
  Choose the Right Storage Conditions
  
  Interior storage in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location on a level surface is the best option.
  
  Exterior storage is not recommended for extended periods of time.
  
  If exterior storage is necessary, place shingles on a raised platform or pallet that prevents direct contact with the ground.
• See additional shingle installation and storage instructions found
  
  at ASPHALT SHINGLE INSTALLATION

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question: our shingles were stacked in bundles on the roof & left in the rain in cool weather: are they OK to use?

Our roofer left our new roof shingles stacked on the roof for two weeks during rainy weather. Some of the bundles are not dead flat on the roof.

Is it acceptable to use these roof shingles on our home? Anonymous by private email 2023/10/13

Moderator reply:

Typically asphalt shingle manufacturers required that the shingles be kept dry, flat, and not stacked too high, and protected from the weather until they are installed on the roof.

As long as the shingles are not stacked too high and are kept close to flat, they can be stacked on a roof - as you'll see in IKO's instructions given on this page.

Roofing manufacturers' shingle storage instructions are mostly focused on the worse offences such as: "Lay shingle bundles flat. Do not bend over ridge". - Owens Corning & others.

Identify the brand and the specific shingle product that you have, perhaps sending me some photos of the packaging and all of the text.

Take a look at the storage and installation instructions right on the shingle package as well as in documents from the Landmark shingle manufacturer (CertainTeed).

Where the shingles are warpped weather tight and not bent in or over a sharp angle they may be fine.

If shingles are stored bent more-acute angles than I see in your photos or if they are stored in conditions that left the shingles soaking wet while still in the bundle.

In that case check with the manufacturer's shingle warranty department, and document the shingles' condition thoroughly. IF the manufacturer has the courage to protect your interest they may advise not using shingles that were soaked prior to installation.

Reader follow-up:

The shingles are Landmark.  I have attached some pictures. 

[Photos & other details later removed by reader request - Ed.]

Moderator reply:

Those photos are encouraging rather than a big red flag.

Asphalt shingles should be stored flat. But storing a bundle that's very slightly bent on a roof is probably harmless. That is, if storage is for a brief time and in cool weather, where the shingle "bends" are only modest, I doubt that that condition has damaged the shingle.

If the shingles were plastic wrapped and water-tight (as they appear in your photos) such that they didn't get wet while waiting to be installed they're also probably not damaged by pre-installation soaking: easy to determine by inspection.

I'd open the most-damaged shingle bundle wrapper and inspect the shingles in that stack. If they're soaking wet I'd hesitate to use them in the field of the roof.

I suspect that where most modern asphalt shingle bundles are wrapped in plastic rather than the old brown paper, the concern for protection from rain in short-term outdoor storage is less of a concern.

See the references on proper asphalt shingle storage found on this page.

Interestingly, and possibly in response to previous consumer worries and to avoid issues with their real customers, roofing installers, the CertainTeed shingle installation document for your shingles does not mention shingle storage conditions.

Asphalt shingles stored in very hot weater may suffer additional damage if not stored properly.

On 2019-08-26 by (mod) - read the manufacturer's instructions on storage of their shingles

No.
Read the instructions from most manufacturers and well see that shingles are to be stored dry until time of installation. Risk is reduced roof life and voided warranty.

On 2019-08-26 by Jeff

Noticed water leaking out of new shingle packages on the way up to the roof on conveyor belt is this normal?

On 2019-06-13 by (mod) - leaving shingles in hot sun may void their warranty

Well if they have been sitting in the hot sun or exposed to rain then they have violated the manufacturers at the instructions. Result could be reduced roof life.

On 2019-06-11 by Carolyn Glenn

My shingles are stacked on top of my house for 5 weeks now, should I ask for new shingles?

On 2019-01-07 by (mod) - shingles delivered, left in snow and rain

Crystal

To avoid arguing with the roofer and a lot of arm-waving, make note of the shingle manufacturer's name and the specific shingle product name (give me that information as well)

Usually asphalt roofing materials, including shingles, are supposed to be protected from the weather, including rain or wet conditions, until they are being installed on the roof.

I think that's because the back side of the shingles are not so waterproof and the shingle bundles, absorbing water, may become damaged. The result would not be immediately apparent, but ultimately is likely to mean a shorter than promised roof shingle life, and possibly a voiding of the shingle manufacturer's warranty.

If you do not already find a warning about proper storage right on the paper wrapping the shingle bundles, then we can look on-line, find the installation recommendations from the manufacturer, and can print out their instructions for storage prior to use.

On 2019-01-07 17 by crystal

Waiting for new roof. Shingles, roof felt and boxed materials were delivered 12 days ago.

Uncovered on ridge 6 bundles high. Since then it has rained and snowed. Some tar paper rolls have blown over (unseating sun tunnel), boxes were blown off roof. I would assume all are damaged in some way. Any thoughts on this?

On 2018-04-03 by (mod) - shingles left in driveway in pouring rain

Roof shingles should be covered and protected from rain while still in their bundles - before installation.

On 2018-04-03 by Debbie

They deliver my material on my driveway that started pouring down rain is my material OK

On 2016-11-17 by JODY

bundles of shingles left for apprx 3-4 days, stacked 5-10 bundles high, bent over the roof ridge. was
that enough time to have damaged the shingles? inspector says lots of damaged shingles installed on
roof.

On 2016-05-14 by (mod) - is it ok to deliver shingles during rainy weather?

Cj

I think the question to be asked is were the shingles protected from getting soaked or not?

If they're kept dry the shingles may be perfectly usable.

On 2016-05-13 by Cj

Should roof supply companies have their employees deliver and stack shingles in the pouring down rain?

...

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• LEAKY ROOF DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

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