Austin Roof Replacement | Complete Roof Systems, Done Right

Is it time?

Signs your Austin roof needs replacing

Central Texas heat, hail and wind shorten the life of a roof faster than the label on the shingle bundle suggests. These are the signs that a roof replacement in Austin is worth a closer look:

• Curling, cracking or brittle shingles across most slopes, not just one area.
• Heavy granule loss. Bare spots on shingles or piles of granules in gutters mean the asphalt is exposed to the sun.
• Repeated leaks in different parts of the house.
• A sagging or soft roof deck, which points to long-term moisture damage underneath.
• Widespread hail or wind damage that would require patching large sections of the roof.
• An older roof with discontinued shingles, where repairs would never blend in.

Not sure? A free inspection with photos will tell you whether a repair buys you real time or whether replacement is the smarter spend. Our Austin roof repair page covers the repair side of that decision.

The roof system

What goes into a complete roof replacement

Shingle manufacturers design roofs as a system. GAF, for example, builds its Lifetime Roofing System around a GAF Lifetime Shingle installed with qualifying accessories. Each layer has a job:

• Leak barrier. A self-adhering membrane in valleys, at eaves and around chimneys and skylights, where wind-driven rain is most likely to get in.
• Roof deck protection. Underlayment across the entire deck that adds a second line of defense beneath the shingles.
• Starter strips. Factory-sealed shingles along the eaves and rakes that help keep the first course of shingles from blowing off.
• Shingles. The main weather layer that takes the sun, rain and hail.
• Ridge cap shingles. Pre-bent shingles that finish and protect the hips and ridges.
• Attic ventilation. Balanced intake and exhaust that keeps heat and moisture from building up. GAF's guidance is that exhaust should never exceed intake.
• Flashing and drip edge. Metal at walls, chimneys, pipes and roof edges that sends water off the roof instead of under it.

Why the system matters for warranties. According to GAF, its Lifetime Roofing System coverage requires a GAF Lifetime Shingle plus at least three qualifying GAF accessories. GAF also offers a WindProven limited wind warranty for Timberline shingles with LayerLock technology when they are installed with at least four qualifying accessories: starter strips, roof deck protection, ridge cap shingles and either a leak barrier or attic ventilation. GAF states that this wind coverage has no maximum wind speed limitation. Roof Royale is a GAF Certified Plus contractor. According to GAF, that makes qualifying roofs we install eligible for GAF's enhanced System Plus and Silver Pledge limited warranties. These are manufacturer warranties backed by GAF, separate from Roof Royale's own lifetime workmanship warranty. We will explain exactly which manufacturer warranty applies to your project before you sign.

Material choices

Choosing shingles for Central Texas

Architectural shingles are the most common choice for Austin homes. They are thicker than older three-tab shingles, have a dimensional look and hold up better to wind. GAF's Timberline HDZ, which GAF describes as its best-selling shingle, is a popular example.

Color affects heat. Lighter shingle colors reflect more sunlight than dark ones, which can help with attic heat during long Texas summers. Many Austin neighborhoods also have HOA color guidelines, so it is worth checking before you choose.

Impact-resistant options are worth discussing if your area sees frequent hail. We will walk you through the options available in the shingle lines we install.

Metal roofing is another option for some homes. Compare the trade-offs in metal roofing vs. asphalt shingles in Texas.

We carry common GAF and Owens Corning lines and can source most others, and we will explain the applicable material warranty guidance for whatever system you choose.

Replacement day

What happens during an Austin roof replacement

Protecting your property. We protect landscaping, driveways and exterior surfaces before tear-off begins.

Tear-off. The old shingles and underlayment come off down to the deck. Removing the old roof, instead of layering over it, is the only way to see the condition of the wood underneath.

Deck inspection and repair. Soft, rotted or damaged decking is replaced so the new roof has a solid base. We will show you photos of anything we replace.

Edges and vulnerable areas. Drip edge goes on at the roof edges, and leak barrier goes into valleys and around chimneys, skylights and other penetrations.

Underlayment and starter strips. Roof deck protection covers the whole deck, followed by starter strips along the eaves and rakes.

Shingles, flashing and ventilation. Shingles are installed to the manufacturer's specifications, flashing is replaced at walls and penetrations, pipe boots are renewed and ventilation is balanced.

Ridge cap and cleanup. Ridge cap shingles finish the hips and ridges, then the crew cleans up debris and sweeps for nails. You get a final walkthrough and photos of the completed roof.

See more in what to expect during a roof replacement.

Planning your budget

What affects the cost of a roof replacement in Austin

Every roof is priced individually, and the fairest way to get a number is a free inspection and written estimate. These are the factors that move the price most:

• Roof size. Measured in roofing squares (100 square feet each).
• Pitch and complexity. Steep slopes, multiple valleys, dormers and skylights take more time and materials.
• Layers to remove. Tearing off more than one old layer adds labor and disposal.
• Decking condition. Rotted or damaged boards have to be replaced before the new roof goes on.
• Materials. Shingle line, color, accessories and any upgrade to impact-resistant products.
• Ventilation. Adding or correcting intake and exhaust vents.

If the roof was damaged in a storm, we can document conditions for your insurance-claim conversation. Ask our team about current financing options for qualified replacement projects.

Roofing terms

Roofing terms worth knowing before you replace

Your estimate will use some roofing vocabulary. Here is what the most common terms mean:

• Square. A unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet. A 30-square roof covers about 3,000 square feet of roof surface.
• Pitch. How steep the roof is, usually written as rise over 12 inches of run, such as 6/12.
• Tear-off. Removing the existing roofing down to the deck before installing the new system.
• Decking. The wood boards, usually plywood or OSB, that form the base of the roof.
• Underlayment. The layer between the deck and the shingles, also called roof deck protection.
• Leak barrier. A self-adhering membrane used in valleys, eaves and around penetrations.
• Valley. The inward angle where two roof slopes meet and channel water.
• Hip and ridge. The outward angles and top peaks of the roof, covered with ridge cap shingles.
• Rake and eave. The sloped side edges of a gable roof and the lower horizontal edges, where drip edge is installed.
• Flashing. Metal pieces that seal joints at walls, chimneys, skylights and pipes.
• Intake and exhaust vents. Openings low and high on the roof that let air move through the attic.

Our guarantee

Lifetime workmanship warranty on every replacement

Every Roof Royale roof replacement includes a lifetime workmanship warranty from Roof Royale. Manufacturer warranties, such as GAF's, cover the materials. Our workmanship warranty is our own promise about how those materials were installed, and the two should not be confused.

As a veteran-owned company, we hold ourselves to clear communication at every step: what we found, what we recommend, what it costs and what is covered.

We replace roofs throughout Austin and nearby cities, including Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Hutto, Manor, Lakeway and Buda. Back to our main Austin roofing page.