How long do architectural shingles last in Texas?

The home inspection industry's standard estimate is about 30 years for architectural shingles, compared with about 20 for three-tab. In Central Texas, hail is the wild card: one damaging storm can end a shingle roof's life early, which is why roofs in the South turn over faster than elsewhere.

My roof is 15 years old. Should I replace it?

Not just because of its age. A 15-year-old architectural shingle roof is about halfway through its typical life. Have a roofer or inspector look for damage, missing shingles and leaks. If it's sound, maintenance may be enough; if it has hail damage, that's a different conversation.

Will my insurance company drop me because my roof is old?

It's possible. TDI says insurers inspect the roof when you apply and may charge more or refuse coverage based on what they see, and some switch older roofs to actual cash value at renewal. Your insurer should tell you when coverage changes. Ask your agent what your policy says.

How long does a metal roof last compared with shingles?

InterNACHI's estimate for metal is about 40 to 80 years, against about 30 for architectural shingles. Metal usually costs more up front. Whether it pays off depends on how long you'll stay in the house and what your insurer charges for each.

When is hail season in Austin?

Severe weather season in Central Texas usually runs from March through June and peaks in May, according to KXAN's weather team, with the risk of damaging hail highest early in May. Check your roof from the ground after any big storm, even if nothing leaks.

How long does a roof last in Central Texas?

Most Central Texas homes have asphalt shingles, and the home inspection industry’s standard estimate is about 20 years for three-tab shingles and about 30 for architectural shingles. Those are averages, not promises. Here, the bigger question is often hail: one damaging storm can shorten a roof’s life no matter how old it is.

How many years does each roofing material last?

These are InterNACHI’s standard life-expectancy estimates for home components. Think of them as typical under reasonable conditions:

Material	Typical life
Three-tab asphalt shingles	about 20 years
Architectural asphalt shingles	about 30 years
Wood shakes	about 25 years
Simulated slate	about 10 to 35 years
Metal	about 40 to 80 years
Clay or concrete tile	100 years or more
Slate	about 60 to 150 years

The long numbers for tile and slate describe the tile or slate itself. The underlayment and flashing beneath them wear out sooner, so even a tile roof needs work long before 100 years.

Why do roofs in Central Texas get replaced sooner?

Hail. Severe weather season in Central Texas usually runs from March through June. KXAN’s weather team says the season peaks in May, and the risk of damaging hail peaks early in the month. A hailstorm can damage shingles without causing a leak right away, which is why a walkaround after every big storm is worth doing.

Turnover in the South. Verisk’s roof-age data for 2025 shows how fast roofs turn over here. In the South, 28 percent of roofs were 0 to 4 years old and only 4 percent were 31 years or older, which Verisk ties to severe weather and rapid housing growth. Nationally, it found 38 percent of homes showed moderate to poor roof condition in aerial imagery.

Does an old roof affect my homeowners insurance?

It can. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) explains that some policies pay the full cost to repair a roof at current prices (replacement cost), while others pay less if the roof is older or worn (actual cash value). As roofs age, some companies switch roof coverage to actual cash value at renewal, and a roof in poor condition might not be covered at all. Your insurer should tell you when it changes your coverage. TDI also notes that insurance won’t pay for a new roof just because it’s old or worn out.

This explains the usual process, not your policy. Read your renewal paperwork, and ask your agent if anything about roof coverage changed.

Signs a roof may be near the end

Missing, cracked or curling shingles
Bare spots, or lots of granules in the gutters and at the downspouts
Shingles that come loose in ordinary wind
Leaks in more than one place
Daylight through the roof boards in the attic

Any of these is a reason to have a roofer or inspector look. None of them alone means you need a whole new roof.

How can I make my roof last longer?

TDI’s checklist for keeping a roof in good shape:

Remove tree limbs hanging over or near the roof.
Check for missing or damaged shingles after every storm.
Check the chimney for loose bricks that could fall on the roof.
Keep gutters clean so water doesn’t back up under the roof edge.
Have a roof inspector look at it every few years to catch problems early.

When it’s time to replace, TDI suggests considering materials less likely to be damaged by wind, hail or fire, and some insurers give a discount for them.