Coastal-tier roofing isn’t marketing jargon—it’s a code-mandated performance standard for homes within 3,000 feet of tidal water (per Galveston County Amended IRC §R905.2.2). Standard asphalt shingles use electro-galvanized nails and standard underlayment; coastal-tier requires stainless-steel or ceramic-coated nails (ASTM F1667 Type 316), minimum 220 lb/sq peel strength, and enhanced high-wind nailing patterns—8 nails per shingle in field, 6 in starter course, per GAF WindProven™ protocol. Underlayment must be ASTM D1970 self-adhering ice/water shield along eaves, rakes, valleys, and hips—not just #15 felt. At Tekton, we go further: adding secondary water barrier (Grace Ice & Water Shield®) over the entire deck for homes in V-Zones, and using GAF Timberline® AS with SRI >29 to reduce attic temps by up to 20°F—critical for lowering HVAC load during Galveston’s 9-month cooling season.

Absolutely—and it’s one of our specialties. For Victorian, Craftsman, or early-20th-century homes in the East End, we use James Hardie® HardiePlank® HZ10 in custom-milled profiles (T1-11, D4 Dutch Lap, even specialty bevel) and ColorPlus® finishes matched to historic paint analysis (we partner with local conservators for pigment sampling). For trim, we use LP SmartSide® 440 Series with Z-MAX® coating—machined to replicate original crown, corner boards, and frieze details—then factory-primed and site-finished with Sherwin-Williams Resilience™ Exterior, which resists chalking in salt environments. Crucially, we maintain historic appearance while upgrading performance: installing full rainscreen drainage, marine-grade flashings, and insect screens at weep holes. The Galveston Landmark Commission has approved dozens of our projects—because we prove preservation and resilience aren’t mutually exclusive.

TWIA policies require wind-borne debris protection for discounts or eligibility—especially post-Ike reforms. To qualify for premium reductions (often 20–40%), your home must meet IBHS FORTIFIED™ Roof standards or have impact-resistant openings. For roofing, that means GAF’s WindProven™-limited warranty products (e.g., Timberline® HDZ with LayerLock™) installed per manufacturer specs—including enhanced nailing and sealed deck seams. For windows/doors, Miami-Dade NOA 22-03-13 or ASTM E1886/E1996 certification is mandatory. Tekton is a TWIA-recognized contractor: we provide stamped documentation (including HAAG-certified pre- and post-upgrade inspections) and submit directly to the Texas Department of Insurance’s Windstorm Inspection Program. We’ve helped over 120 Galveston homeowners secure TWIA discounts since 2020—often offsetting 50–70% of upgrade costs within 3 years.

Standard aluminum gutters pit and leak within 3–5 years on the island due to chloride-induced corrosion—especially at seams and hangers. Tekton’s solution is threefold: 1) Material: .032" thick seamless aluminum (not .027") with Kynar 500®-coated finishes in coastal-friendly colors (Slate Gray, Copper Patina); 2) Hardware: stainless-steel hidden hangers spaced at 24" O.C. (not 36") with neoprene washers to prevent galvanic corrosion; 3) Design: LeafGuard® one-piece hood system (no seams to leak) paired with oversized 3"x4" downspouts and extended splash blocks draining into gravel beds. For historic districts where LeafGuard’s profile is prohibited, we custom-fabricate half-round copper gutters with soldered seams and brass hangers—approved by the Landmark Commission for Victorian restorations. All systems include lifetime no-clog warranties, backed by biannual cleaning for Galveston clients.

First: don’t sign anything on-site. Texas law gives you two years to file—use that time to verify credentials. Second: insurers often undervalue claims by attributing damage to “wear and tear.” In Galveston, we counter this with HAAG-certified reports that isolate storm causation—for example, showing granule loss patterns consistent with hail vs. UV degradation, or uplift at roof corners per ASCE 7 wind zones. Third: expect delays—Galveston County has one of the highest claim volumes in Texas. Tekton expedites this by pre-submitting scopes with drone orthomosaic maps, moisture meter logs, and engineering calculations. Over 92% of our Galveston clients receive full coverage for code-mandated upgrades (like impact windows), with zero out-of-pocket beyond deductible. We attend all adjuster meetings and handle supplement requests for hidden damage—like wet OSB decking under shingles, a common issue after slow-rain events like Harvey.