Key numbers
77 verified hail storms with stones of 1.75 inches or larger reached Travis County, which includes Austin, from 1984 to 2025 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 5 inches (softball size) on May 20, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 1984 to 2025 | 1980s: 8, 1990s: 16, 2000s: 24, 2010s: 13, 2020s: 16 Source: NOAA NCEI |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 5 in. (softball), May 20, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $160 million insured losses (2006 dollars), April 20, 2006 Source: Insurance Journal |
| 9.69 million | Metal was the main roofing material on 9.69 million U.S. homes in 2020. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2020 |
| $4,699 | The average U.S. residential roof repair cost was $4,699 in 2025, up 25% from the prior four-year average. Source: Insurance Journal (reporting Verisk), 2025 |
| 49% | Replacement projects such as roofing, windows and HVAC accounted for 49% of U.S. homeowner improvement spending in 2023. Source: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2023 |
A storm counts when NOAA lists a report in Travis County. Each hail size is the storm's largest report in the seven Austin-area counties, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
A metal roof is worth it in Austin when you plan to stay long enough to benefit from its long life and want a roof that handles heat and wind well; if you might sell in a few years, a quality architectural shingle usually returns more. Metal costs more up front than shingles, sheds water and wind well, and reflective finishes keep less heat in the attic. The right type depends on the look you want and how much hail exposure worries you.
Which metal roof
| Type | Look | Strong points | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing seam | Smooth vertical panels with raised seams; concealed fasteners | Clean modern look, few exposed holes, good on low and steep slopes | Highest cost; flat panels can show hail dents |
| Stone-coated steel | Shingle, shake or tile profiles with a stone-granule finish | Looks like a traditional roof; texture hides dents | Heavier than bare metal panels |
| Metal shingles | Interlocking shingle-shaped panels | Traditional look at lighter weight | Fewer contractors install them |
| Exposed fastener (R-panel, corrugated) | Ribbed panels screwed through the face | Lowest cost metal; common on barns, shops and outbuildings | Screws and washers need periodic checking |
The Austin-area rules for metal
- City of Austin. Replacing a roof covering that does not adversely affect the roof structure is generally exempt from a building permit. The exception is a home in the Wildland-Urban Interface area where 50% or more of the roof is replaced; WUI homes also need a Class A roof assembly, so confirm the metal system’s fire class.
- Lakeway. A permit is required when a re-roof changes the material, design or slope, so shingles-to-metal needs one.
- Pflugerville. The city’s re-roof inspection certificate has its own metal checklist: lap and field screws installed to the manufacturer’s recommendation, closures at the ridge and eaves, sealant tape on laps, fasteners reaching at least 3/4 inch into the sheathing, and the same underlayment rules as shingles.
- Bee Cave. Roof replacement is on the city’s list of projects that need a permit, and HOA rules often cover metal color and profile.
What makes a metal roof last in Central Texas
Most metal roof problems come from details, not the panels: fasteners driven crooked, missing closures that let in wasps and wind-driven rain, and trim that cannot move as the panels expand in afternoon heat. A good metal bid names the panel gauge and finish, the underlayment, how the ridge and eaves are closed, and how pipe boots and walls are flashed. If you are replacing a hail-damaged roof, see Austin storm damage repair first.
Cost and next steps
See what a metal roof costs in Austin, or compare with asphalt shingles and tile. Metal also suits commercial buildings. Financing is available. We are veteran-owned, family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, and have 650+ Google reviews. Call (512) 610-5897 or book a free Austin roof inspection and we will price metal next to a shingle option so you can compare.
Sources: City of Austin, Work Exempt from Building Permits; City of Austin, Wildland-Urban Interface Code; City of Lakeway Code, Section 24.02.081; City of Pflugerville, Re-Roof Inspection Certificate; City of Bee Cave, Building.
