Replacing a Roof in Galveston: Plan for Wind First

All of Galveston County sits in the catastrophe area of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). If your home is insured through TWIA, a roof replacement generally has to be inspected and certified to windstorm standards, and that results in a WPI-8 certificate. That affects nailing patterns, products and timing, so it belongs in the plan from day one. Talk to your agent first.

The housing stock matters too. Half of the homes in Galveston were built before 1973 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024), so the typical house is about 53 years old. Decking and roof edges on homes that age often need repair once the old roof is off.

Because the whole county is in that area, plan the inspection timing with the roofer before the tear-off, not after.

Only 46 percent of Galveston homes are owner occupied, so many roof decisions are made by landlords. For a rental, a new roof can mean fewer emergency calls and less water damage to manage. For owners who live in the home, it is protection for the biggest asset they have. Hail is rare here, with 2 reports within 10 miles from 2015 through 2024 per NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, so wind is the main design load.

GemSco is family owned, licensed and insured, with 20+ years of experience and elite contractor status with Owens Corning and GAF. Estimates are free and roof financing is available. See our roof replacement service or the Galveston page.

Ask each contractor how the new roof will be fastened for wind, and get the answer in writing.