Executive Summary
Texas roofs endured a punishing decade (2015–2025). The DFW metro repeatedly topped national hail‑loss tallies, Austin saw a record‑setting hail outbreak in 2023, statewide heat shattered longevity expectations for asphalt shingles, and violent wind events—most memorably the October 2019 Dallas EF‑3 tornado—exposed installation and code vulnerabilities. At the same time, insurers tightened terms (ACV settlements, higher wind/hail deductibles) as severe convective storm losses hit record levels. For homeowners, resilience now means proactive maintenance, insurance literacy, and working with proven local contractors.
Hail: Texas’ decade-long headline risk
For 10 straight years, Texas has led the nation in major hail events—a streak industry researchers say is unlikely to abate soon. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and trade analyses put Texas again at No. 1 in 2025, reflecting both frequency and the concentration of large-hail days.
- DFW’s mid‑June 2023 barrage: During a five‑day stretch in June, straight‑line winds and hail drove an estimated $7–$10 billion in insured losses in the Dallas–Fort Worth area—95% from hail—one of the biggest U.S. hail losses on record. Subsequent legislative briefings in Texas cited the same range.
- Austin’s September 24, 2023 supercell: A storm tracked along the I‑35 corridor and softball‑size hail inflicted ~$600 million in damage across Travis and Williamson counties, the costliest hailstorm on record for the Austin area.
- Size matters: The state record remains the 6.416‑inch Hondo hailstone (April 28, 2021), verified by NOAA’s national extremes committee. Oversized hailstones are increasingly documented in Central and North Texas.
Why here? Texas sits where cool, dry air from the High Plains collides with hot, humid Gulf air. Strong updrafts plus urban exposure (more roofs, more windows) turn hail days into outsized loss events—especially in Tarrant, Denton, and Dallas counties, which rank among the state’s most hail‑active since 2000.
Heat: The Quiet Roof‑Aging Machine
If hail makes headlines, heat does the silent damage. Summer 2023 was Texas’ second‑hottest on record (average 85.3°F, behind 2011). Austin endured a 40‑day streak of triple‑digit highs, and the city’s official playbook logged 80+ days ≥100°F with 40 days ≥105°F—extremes that accelerate asphalt shingle aging, embrittlement, and granule loss.
The physics are straightforward: prolonged UV and high deck temperatures harden sealants, drive off volatiles, and promote granule loss, leaving shingles more vulnerable to the next wind or hail episode. Manufacturer and trade guidance consistently link UV/heat exposure to accelerated aging and performance decline over time. Good attic ventilation and lighter, more reflective materials can mitigate some of this stress.
Wind & Tornadoes: When Uplift Becomes Failure
Severe thunderstorms across Texas regularly deliver 60–80+ mph straight‑line gusts; the right setup can produce tornado‑class damage. On October 20, 2019, an EF‑3 tornado carved a 16‑mile path through North Dallas and Richardson with winds near 140 mph, causing roughly $1.5 billion in damage—the costliest tornado event in Texas history. The event was also part of a broader outbreak with around $2 billion in combined losses.
Wind reveals installation quality: inadequate nailing patterns, weak decking, and insufficient edge metals are classic failure points. In storm corridors like DFW and Round Rock–Georgetown north of Austin, contractors have increasingly adopted ring‑shank nails, enhanced underlayments, and improved ventilation to boost wind uplift resistance and reduce moisture loading that shortens service life. (See the Wortham Bros Roofing section below.)
The Insurance Story: Record Losses, Tougher Terms
Severe convective storms (SCS)—the hail/wind systems that dominate Texas—set an all‑time high ~$60 billion in insured losses in 2023 in the U.S., according to Swiss Re and other catastrophe monitors. Texas was a disproportionate contributor. NOAA’s long‑running Billion‑Dollar Disasters database likewise shows Texas experiencing a sharp rise in severe storm disasters over the past five years.
What homeowners are noticing in 2024–2025:
- Higher wind/hail deductibles (often stated as a % of Coverage A) and more policies settling older roofs on Actual Cash Value (ACV) rather than Replacement Cost Value (RCV). State consumer resources explain these differences clearly and note that some roof losses may be paid at ACV even if the policy otherwise offers RCV.
- More claims closed without payment—sometimes because the loss falls below a higher deductible, sometimes due to narrowed coverage or cosmetic‑damage exclusions. Recent reporting shows nearly 47% of Texas home claims closed without payment in 2024, up from 35% in 2016.
- Discounts for impact‑resistant roofs (Class 4) remain available in Texas, typically requiring contractor completion of the TDI PC068 certificate and, in some cases, acceptance of cosmetic‑damage exclusions. Homeowners should confirm their carrier’s rules before installing.
Bottom line: Insurance is still vital, but policy literacy is a key part of resilience in hail country.
DFW & Austin: What the Last Decade Taught Us
DFW
- Frequency plus exposure: Mid‑June 2023 underscored how rapid‑fire hail sequences over a dense metro can generate multi‑billion‑dollar losses in days.
- Wind hazard: The 2019 EF‑3 remains the archetype of urban multi‑peril roof loss—uplift, debris strikes, and internal water damage when coverings fail.
Austin
- Less frequent than West/North Texas, but high‑impact events happen—Sept. 24, 2023 was a watershed hailstorm (~$600M).
- Extreme heat is a signature stressor, with record‑long streaks of ≥100°F days in 2023 compounding shingle aging and sealant fatigue.
What Resilient Roofing Looks Like in Texas
- Material choices that fit the peril
- Class 4 impact‑resistant shingles or metal roofing can reduce hail breakage and improve heat performance; check for premium credits and the PC068 process.
- Class 4 impact‑resistant shingles or metal roofing can reduce hail breakage and improve heat performance; check for premium credits and the PC068 process.
- Stronger assemblies
- Use ring‑shank nails, closed‑cut valleys or metal valley shields, upgraded starter/edge metals, and self‑adhered membranes at eaves to resist uplift and ice‑less water intrusion during deluges. (Contractor standard in storm belts.)
- Use ring‑shank nails, closed‑cut valleys or metal valley shields, upgraded starter/edge metals, and self‑adhered membranes at eaves to resist uplift and ice‑less water intrusion during deluges. (Contractor standard in storm belts.)
- Ventilation & attic health
- Balanced soffit‑to‑ridge ventilation lowers deck temperatures, slows UV/thermal aging of shingles, and helps manage indoor humidity.
- Balanced soffit‑to‑ridge ventilation lowers deck temperatures, slows UV/thermal aging of shingles, and helps manage indoor humidity.
- Inspection cadence
- Annual professional checks plus post‑storm inspections catch granule loss, “bruised” shingles, lifted flashings, and punctures before they leak.
Why Wortham Bros Roofing is a Preferred Contractor for DFW & Austin
Local, proven, and scaled for storm response. Family‑owned and operating in Texas since 1986, Wortham Bros Roofing has completed 125,000+ roof installations statewide, with active service areas across DFW and Austin (including Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto). That scale matters when storms hit: the firm runs emergency roof repairs and storm damage restoration with insurance‑savvy project managers and standardized quality controls.
What Homeowners can Expect with WBR:
- Hail & storm repair specialists who know DFW/Austin building practices and insurer expectations.
- Material guidance on Class 4 systems and help with the TDI PC068 paperwork many carriers require for discounts.
- Coverage‑aware estimates that clarify scope (repair vs. replacement), ventilation upgrades, and wind‑resistant details suited to your neighborhood’s risk profile.
- Community presence—offices and teams rooted in North and Central Texas, not post‑storm transients.
Embed‑Ready Resource: Texas Roof Storm‑Prep & Claims Checklist
Before Storm Season (Jan–Mar):
- Schedule a professional inspection to document current condition (photos of roof planes, flashings, penetrations, attic).
- Correct loose shingles/flashings, clean gutters, trim overhanging limbs; verify soffit–ridge ventilation is unobstructed.
- Review your policy: confirm wind/hail deductible, ACV vs. RCV on the roof, cosmetic‑damage clauses, and claim deadlines.
- Consider Class 4 materials at the next replacement; ask your insurer about premium credits and the PC068 form.
Right After a Hail/Wind Event:
- Photograph impacts (shingles, gutters, downspouts, skylights, A/C fins, fences, interior ceilings).
- Prevent further damage: tarp holes/open seams and keep receipts for temporary repairs.
- Request a pro inspection (WBR) to distinguish cosmetic vs. functional damage and build a line‑item scope.
- If loss appears above your deductible, notify your insurer promptly and retain all communications (claim number, adjuster name, site visit date).
During the Claim:
- Compare the adjuster’s scope to your contractor’s; ask for corrections where items are missing (starter, ridge, vents, code items).
- Clarify depreciation (recoverable vs. non‑recoverable) on ACV/RCV policies; understand payment sequencing.
- Vet contractors: choose established, local firms with references and written contracts. (In Texas, deductible‑waiving is illegal.)
After settlement:
- Use Class 4/impact‑resistant options where suitable; have your contractor complete PC068 and provide final photos/warranties for your records.
Outlook: More Extremes, Smarter Decisions
Catastrophe analysts expect SCS volatility to remain high. In practical terms for Texans, that means: hail‑capable assemblies, heat‑aware designs, and insurance alignment—paired with local contractors that can mobilize quickly and build to storm realities, not brochure ideals. The past decade’s data is unambiguous: Texas roofs need to be tougher, and homeowners need partners who know how to make that happen.
