Roofing Questions From Real Central Texas Homeowners
These are the questions we hear most often from homeowners and property owners across the Austin–San Antonio corridor. If your question isn't here, call us at (512) 557-2733 — we'd rather talk it through than have you guess.
General Roofing Questions
How long does a roof last in Central Texas?
Less than the manufacturer's number on the wrapper, almost always. A "30-year" architectural shingle in Central Texas typically delivers 18-25 years of real service life because of UV, hail, and heat. A standing seam metal roof routinely delivers 40-50+ years. Tile roofs can go 50+ years on the tile itself, though the underlayment usually needs to be replaced every 25-30 years. Ventilation, installation quality, and storm exposure are the biggest variables.
How do I know if I need a new roof?
Common signs: granules in your gutters, curled or cupping shingle edges, exposed nail heads, daylight visible in the attic, repeated leaks in different spots, sagging rooflines, or shingle age past about 18 years. For metal roofs, look for backed-out fasteners, rust at seams, or failed sealant at penetrations. The honest answer: get a free inspection. We'll tell you whether you need replacement, repair, or nothing at all.
How much does a new roof cost?
It depends on size, pitch, complexity, material, and tear-off requirements, so any contractor who gives you a number sight-unseen is guessing. For an average Central Texas single-family home, shingle replacement typically falls in a wide range and metal replacement runs roughly two to three times that. We provide written, itemized estimates after a free inspection — no obligation.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most single-family shingle replacements are completed in 1-3 days depending on size, complexity, and weather. Metal roofs typically take longer — 3-7 days for a residential standing seam install. Commercial projects vary widely. We give you an honest schedule before we start, and we communicate if anything changes.
Materials & Installation
What shingles do you install?
Atlas Pinnacle Pristine is our standard architectural shingle. We're certified Atlas installers, and Pinnacle Pristine offers the best balance of color selection, impact resistance, wind warranty, and price for Central Texas conditions. We can also install Pinnacle Impact (Class 4 hail-rated) and Pinnacle Sun (cool-roof solar reflective) when those features matter for your specific home. More on shingles.
What's the difference between snap-lock and double-crimp standing seam metal?
Snap-lock panels click together by hand and install faster — great for residential roofs at 3:12 pitch or steeper. Double-crimp (mechanically-seamed) panels are folded over twice with a powered seamer, creating a fully closed weather-tight seam that can be installed on slopes as low as 1:12 and resists higher wind uplift. Both use concealed clips so there are no exposed fasteners through the panel face. More on metal roofing.
Can you install a new roof over my existing one?
We don't, and you shouldn't let anyone else either. Overlay roofs trap heat against the new shingles, hide damaged decking, add weight to your structure, and void manufacturer warranties on most modern products. Tear-off is always the right answer. It costs more up-front and saves you money over the life of the roof.
Do you replace the decking?
Only what needs replacing. Once we tear off the old roof, we inspect every square foot of decking and replace anything rotted, sagging, delaminated, or otherwise compromised. We give you a unit price for decking repair in your estimate so there are no surprises. Older San Marcos and New Braunfels homes often need at least some decking work because of original 1x6 plank construction.
Insurance & Storm Damage
Should I file an insurance claim for hail damage?
Maybe. Filing a claim that gets denied can affect your insurance record without getting you a roof, so we recommend a free inspection first. We climb the roof, document any storm damage we find, and tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth pursuing. If you do, we'll meet your adjuster on the roof and document everything legitimate. More on insurance claims.
How long do I have to file a hail claim?
Most Texas homeowner policies have a one-year window from the date of the storm to file a claim, and some are shorter. Don't wait. Even if you're not sure damage exists, get an inspection done within a few months of any significant storm in your area. Damage that goes undocumented gets harder to prove the longer you wait.
What if my insurance company underpays the claim?
It happens. Adjusters miss things, especially on first inspections. We can help you supplement the claim with proper documentation of damage that was missed. We never inflate claims — but we will fight to make sure legitimate damage gets covered.
Warranties, Timing & Logistics
What warranty comes with my roof?
Two warranties cover every roof we install. The manufacturer's material warranty (lifetime limited on most Atlas Pinnacle shingles, often 30-50 years on metal panel finishes) covers the materials themselves. Our workmanship warranty covers the installation. Because we install Atlas systems to manufacturer specification, your roof may also qualify for enhanced Atlas Signature Select warranty programs. We explain all of this in writing during the estimate.
When is the best time of year to replace a roof?
In Central Texas, fall and winter are usually the easiest because the heat is more manageable for crews and weather windows are predictable. That said, we work year-round and complete projects in every season. We schedule around weather windows and never start a tear-off when rain is in the forecast.
Do I need to be home during the roof replacement?
No. Many of our customers schedule replacements while they're at work or out of town. We need access to the driveway for the dumpster and material delivery, and we need to know if there's anything in the attic we should be aware of. We communicate by phone and text throughout the project so you always know what's happening.
What about my landscaping, AC unit, and pool?
We protect them. Tarps over landscaping, plywood against AC condensers, and we don't drop debris into pools. We magnetic-sweep the entire property twice before we leave to pick up any nails. If we damage anything, we make it right.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, through our partner Hearth. We can usually get you a decision in minutes with no impact to your credit score. Financing options range from 0% promotional periods on shorter terms to longer fixed-rate loans for larger projects. Ask us about it during your estimate.
Are you local?
Yes. Our office is at 301 S. Johnson Avenue in San Marcos, and we work the Austin–San Antonio corridor. We aren't a storm-chaser company that shows up after a hail event and disappears. We live here, our reputation in this community is the only thing that keeps us in business, and we plan to be answering the phone on your warranty call ten years from now.
Have a question we didn't answer? Call (512) 557-2733 and ask. We'd rather have an honest five-minute conversation than send you a sales brochure.