Roofing in Texas: The Homeowner’s Guides

InterNACHI’s chart lists architectural asphalt shingles at 30 years and 3-tab at 20, and the NAHB study puts asphalt at about 20, so in Texas heat plan on the lower figure. Metal is listed at 40 to 80 years and clay and concrete tile at 100 or more. Heat, hail and a poorly vented attic are what end roofs around Round Rock before their time, and hail often decides the date, not age.

It depends on the city, and the building code applies to every repair with or without a permit. Some cities, like Austin and Round Rock, publish no-permit guidance for a like for like re-roof, but their adopted codes do not exempt roofing, so confirm with your city before work starts.

Two different things from two companies. The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles; the workmanship warranty covers how they were installed. The big shingle makers give a non-prorated period of 10 years on their lifetime shingles for a homeowner-occupied house, and all of them exclude hail, wind over the rated speed, poor ventilation and bad installation.

Texas does not license roofing contractors, so the checking falls to you. Ask for a certificate of insurance that names you as certificate holder, then call the insurer to confirm the policy is active, and check references in writing. Walk away from same-day pressure, a verbal-only scope, or an offer to waive your deductible: Texas law requires the insured to pay the deductible and makes a contractor’s offer to waive it an offense.

Every two years, and after any severe storm, such as hail of one inch or larger or damaging wind. An inspection records conditions, a tune-up makes small corrections, and a repair fixes a known failure. Keep a dated record of the upkeep, because skipped maintenance can look like neglect when a warranty claim is made.