Sharpstown - Houston, TX

Sharpstown Roofing Guide: Restoring the Mid-Century Classic

Sharpstown is unique. Unlike the new builds in Cypress, most homes here were built between 1955 and 1970. While these mid-century bungalows have great bones, their roofs hide structural secrets that many modern roofers overlook until it’s too late.

If you live in 77036 or 77074, here is the “Hard Truth” about re-roofing a vintage home.

1. The “Plank Decking” Surprise

Modern homes use plywood sheets for the roof deck. But in Sharpstown, most original homes were built with 1×8 or 1×6 wood planks (Shiplap).

• The Problem: Over 60 years, these wood planks shrink, creating large gaps. If a roofer nails a new shingle into a gap instead of solid wood, that shingle will blow off in the first windstorm.

• The Hard Truth: You often cannot just “re-roof” a Sharpstown home. To meet modern code and GAF warranty requirements, we frequently have to install a layer of OSB/Plywood over your original plank decking to create a solid nailing surface. Cheap roofers skip this, and their roofs fail in 5 years.

2. The Low-Slope Ranch Challenge

The classic Sharpstown ranch home often has a low roof pitch (3/12 or 4/12 slope).

• The Risk: Water drains slower on these roofs than on steeper builds. This “slow water” finds its way under standard shingles during heavy Gulf storms.

• The Upgrade: For these lower slopes, we double up on protection. We install Ice & Water Shield (a rubberized waterproof membrane) in all valleys and eaves, rather than just standard felt paper. This seals the nails and prevents leaks even if water pools slightly during a downpour.

3. Working with the Sharpstown Civic Association

Sharpstown has a notoriously active Civic Association.

• The Rules: While they focus heavily on yard maintenance and deed restrictions, they also monitor construction appearance.

• Our Role: We ensure your project site is clean daily. We use magnetic sweeps to pick up nails so they don’t end up in the street or your neighbor’s tires, preventing complaints to the Civic Association.

4. Frequently Asked Questions in Sharpstown

Q: My roof has three layers of shingles. Can you add one more? A: No. The City of Houston code strictly prohibits more than two layers of roofing materials. In Sharpstown, we often find homes with 2 or even 3 old layers. We must perform a “Full Tear-Off” down to the deck to inspect the wood structure and ensure your home can support the weight of a new modern roof.

Q: Do you deal with asbestos? A: It is possible. Some 1960s roofing materials (felt or mastic) contained asbestos. If we suspect your roof layers are original to the 60s, we take precautions to handle materials safely during the tear-off process.