Solar on a Tyler Home: Getting the Roof Ready First
Solar panels change how you maintain your roof for years. Planning the roof and the array together avoids paying to remove panels sooner than expected.
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Three questions before any solar quote
How old is the roof, and how much life does it have left?
Is the decking sound where the mounts will go?
Who owns the home and can approve permanent roof work?
Has the roof been checked in person since the last big hailstorm?
Why the roof matters so much in Tyler
Half of the homes in Tyler were built before 1978 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Most of these homes have had their roofs replaced at least once, but the current roof may itself be aging, and the decking under it may be original. Solar mounts are fastened through that decking, so it needs to be solid.
Hail matters too. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 18 hail reports of 1.75 inches or more within 10 miles of Tyler from 2015 through 2024, and large hail was reported in 7 of those 10 years. Over the life of a solar array, a Tyler roof is likely to see more than one large-hail storm. The shingles around and under the panels need to be ready for that.
About 55 percent of homes in the city are owner occupied, per the Census survey. For owners, solar is a decision tied to the roof they plan to keep. For tenants, it is a conversation with the property owner.
How roof type affects solar
Asphalt shingles
The usual base. Check age and condition, and consider replacing first if the roof is near the end of its life.
Metal and stone-coated
Durable bases with their own mounting methods. Fasteners and seams are checked before the array is planned.
Tile and wood shake
Possible, but these materials need careful handling to avoid cracks and splits during install.
Low-slope sections
Panels sit on racks, and the roof below must drain well and stay accessible.
A roof-first solar plan
Design around the roof
Panel layout avoids valleys, vents and edges where water and wind concentrate.
Install and seal
Each mount is flashed and sealed, then the array goes up.
Check after storms
After hail, the panels and the roof around each mount are looked at together, with photos.
Working with GemSco
GemSco installs solar panels and also handles solar panel removal and reinstallation in Tyler when roof work is needed later. Because we work on both, we plan the roof and the array together. Estimates are free and financing is available. Read about things to do before replacing your roof, our solar panel installation service or GemSco in Tyler.
If your roof is close to the end of its life, replacing it before the panels go on is usually the cleaner path. The new roof and the array then start their lives together, and you avoid paying to take the panels down and put them back up a few years later. Ask for the roof assessment in writing before you sign any solar contract, so the decision rests on what was found and not on a guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can solar panels go on an older Tyler home?
Yes, as long as the roof and the structure under it are sound. On older homes, the decking and rafters are checked before mounting. If the roof covering is near the end of its life, replacing it first avoids having to remove the panels for a reroof a few years later.
Can hail break solar panels?
Panels are built and tested to handle impact, but very large hail can still crack glass. Tyler recorded hail up to 2.75 inches on June 13, 2023. After a storm, both the panels and the roof around the mounts should be checked, and photos help if you contact your insurer.
Will mounts make my roof leak?
A well-installed mount is flashed and sealed and should not leak. Leaks usually come from mounts placed in valleys, sealant used in place of flashing or rushed work. Ask your installer how each penetration is handled before the job starts.
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