How can you tell an older Lytle roof has reached the end?
Age alone doesn't decide it. We look for a pattern: granules worn off so the black mat shows, tabs that crack when lifted, pipe boots split by the sun, and decking that feels spongy along the eaves. Any one of those is a repair. Three or four together usually mean the roof is wearing out everywhere at once.
Look in the attic too. Daylight around nail holes, dark rings on the decking and rusted nail tips point to water getting in a little at a time. Our repair or replace guide explains how we weigh the cost of patching against the years left, and we'll show you photos of each problem so the decision stays yours.
Can metal go right over the shingles on your house?
Sometimes. A single layer of flat shingles over sound decking can often take a metal roof fastened to wood purlins, which saves tear-off cost and adds an air gap that helps with heat. It's not the right call when the decking is soft, when there are already two layers, or when the old roof is holding moisture.
We check the decking from the attic and by walking every slope before recommending an overlay. Where a tear-off is needed, it's a chance to replace bad boards, add proper ventilation and start clean. Panel choice matters as well, and our comparison of standing seam and 5V crimp lays out the tradeoffs on price, fasteners and appearance.
On farmhouses and simple gable roofs, 5V crimp panels suit both the look and the budget. Hip roofs with many cuts often go more smoothly with standing seam.
Two counties, one town: what that means for your project
Lytle spans the line between Atascosa and Medina counties, and homes just outside town sit on unincorporated county land. That can change who handles permits for a reroof. Inside the city, the rules come from Lytle; outside, requirements differ. We check which applies to your address before anything is scheduled.
It can also matter for insurance, since policies on rural and older homes vary widely. Many pay actual cash value on an aging roof rather than full replacement cost, so read the roof section of your policy before storm season. If hail does come through, our hail repair visits include dated photos your adjuster can use.
