Thinking About Solar in Hilshire Village? Check the Roof First
Solar is a long-term project on top of the roof you already have. The roof's age, condition and storm history decide whether it is ready.
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Three roof questions to answer first
How old is it?
If the roof is past the middle of its expected life, plan to replace it before panels go on.
Is there hail damage?
Bruised shingles under an array are hard to reach later.
Is the structure ready?
Rafters and decking need to carry the panels and hold the mounts firmly.
Is the attic vented well?
Panels shade the roof, but poor attic ventilation still traps heat and moisture under the deck and shortens shingle life.
Hilshire Village homes and solar readiness
Owners occupy 96 percent of homes in Hilshire Village (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024), so the decision to add solar is usually in the hands of the person living there. Half of the homes were built before 1983. A roof on a house that age has likely been replaced at least once, and the current one may already be well into its life.
Storms matter too. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 43 hail reports within 10 miles of Hilshire Village from 2015 through 2024, and 11 were 1.75 inches or larger. A roof that took those hits may not be the right base for a new array. A roof inspection in Hilshire Village answers that before you commit.
Steps from roof check to panels
Roof inspection
Check shingles, flashing, decking and attic ventilation, with photos.
Roof work if needed
Repairs or a full replacement happen before the array goes up.
System design
Panel layout is planned around vents, chimneys and valleys.
Mount installation
Attachments are secured to the structure and flashed against leaks.
Panel installation
Panels and racking are installed and the site is cleaned up.
Things to ask any solar installer
What hail rating do the proposed panels carry?
How are roof attachments flashed and sealed?
Who handles roof leaks near the array after installation?
What happens if the roof needs work later?
Does my homeowner's policy need to be updated for the panels?
Why the order of work matters
Panels and roofs age on different clocks. Many shingle roofs in this climate are replaced well before the panels above them wear out. If the roof goes first, the panels have to come off and go back on, and that is a separate job with its own cost. Planning the roof and the array together avoids paying for that twice.
Layout matters as well. Arrays work best on open roof planes with few vents and no valleys under them. Moving a vent or a pipe before the panels go up is simple. Doing it later means working around the array. If panels ever need to come off, see solar panel removal and reinstallation in Hilshire Village.
Roof and solar from one company
GemSco does both roofing and solar panel installation, so the roof and the array can be planned as one project. GemSco is an elite contractor for Owens Corning and GAF, family owned, fully licensed and insured. Estimates are free and financing is available. Read about our solar panel installation service and see roof replacement in Hilshire Village if the roof should come first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar?
If the roof has limited life left, usually yes. Taking panels off and putting them back later adds a cost you can avoid. If the roof is fairly new and in good shape, an inspection may show it is ready as is.
Will solar panels void my roof's manufacturer warranty?
It depends on the manufacturer and on how the panels are installed. Some require specific methods for roof penetrations or approved mounting hardware. Ask the roofing manufacturer and the installer before work starts, get the answer in writing, and keep the paperwork with your roof records.
Do panels protect the roof underneath from hail?
Panels cover part of the roof, and the shingles below them are shielded from direct hits. The rest of the roof stays exposed. Panels themselves can be damaged by large hail, so check the hail rating of the model and your insurance coverage.
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GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.