A recent roof inspection in Austin’s West Lake Hills home revealed an aging roof with missing and degraded shingles, and compromised flashing and vents. On average, asphalt shingle roofs in Austin have a lifespan that is about half of that of roofs in more moderate climates. The shortened life of asphalt roofs in Central Texas can be attributed to UV exposure, temperature swings and extreme weather. For homeowners, that means that a roof replacement is about much more than how it looks; it’s about how it protects you and your home.
Severe weather and damaging thunderstorms are increasing in frequency across the state of Texas. These storms are bringing with it strong wind and large hail that is causing record-breaking damage to Texas properties.
Why is Hail Damaging More Central Texas Roofs
Hail forms when strong updrafts, like those caused by thunderstorms, lift moisture high into freezing air, which allows it to freeze and grow into ice. Central Texas is particularly susceptible to hail because it is the meeting point of a unique confluence of opposing weather systems: the warm, humid air from the Gulf collides with cooler, drier air from the north, creating powerful storms with intense updrafts. These updrafts keep ice suspended long enough to grow large enough to damage properties across Central Texas. In fact, in 2023 alone, there were 1,123 severe weather events in Texas with more days of damaging hail over 2” in diameter than any year since 2003.
How to Better Protect Your Roof From Damaging Hail
There are three classes of shingles, which offer degrees of durability. With weather patterns in Central Texas becoming more extreme, homeowners are opting to upgrade their shingle roofs to more impact-resistant options. Upgrading roof shingles offers better protection, performance, long-term value – and aesthetic appeal. This West Lake Hills homeowner chose to upgrade to Class 4 shingles with Malarkey Vista AR shingles.
Class 4 shingles are more weather resistant shingles available on the market. Because they are more impact-resistant shingles, they provide added protection against hail damage. Specifically, Malarkey Vista AR shingles are engineered to withstand Central Texas heat, hail, and severe storms. In turn, they help reduce the risk of costly repairs and repeated insurance claims, while helping to lower insurance premiums – all while giving homeowners confidence that their new roof is built to last and withstand Central Texas weather.
Malarkey Vista AR shingles are also eco-friendly. The shingles are coated in smog-reducing granules, and are designed with advanced energy-efficient technology that reflects sunlight. This helps to regulate attic temperatures to reduce the strain on your HVAC system during Austin’s long, hot summers. Plus, built-in algae resistance keeps your roof looking newer for longer, which means less maintenance and better curb appeal.
How this Roof Upgrade Benefits the Homeowner
While a bigger upfront cost, this upgrade pays off. Ultimately, this West Lake Hills homeowner will potentially benefits from: added protection from severe weather like strong winds and large hail, fewer repairs and maintenance, reduced insurance premiums, and lower energy costs. All against the backdrop of Austin’s unforgiving heat, damaging temperature swings, and severe hail storms.
Plus, since Tarrytown Roofing is a Malarkey Pro Contractor, this client’s roof is backed by Malarkey’s 50-year manufacturer’s warranty. As always, this limited lifetime warranty is in addition to Tarrytown Roofing’s standard complimentary third-party workmanship guarantee up to $250,000, backed by Directorii.
And as is our standard level of care, our professional and courteous team arrived on-time and was able to finish same-day, minimizing homeowner (and community) disruption. And our team cleaned up when the project was completed. As always, we’ve got you covered.
