Roofing Gruene and downtown New Braunfels — the historic districts
Fachwerk cottages, Victorian houses and the tin-roofed buildings of Gruene: the oldest roofs in Comal County, with a landmark commission that reviews what goes on them. We've done this work for years.
Downtown New Braunfels and Gruene are where the German settlers built in the 1840s and '50s, and the houses show it: limestone and fachwerk cottages, Victorian and folk-Victorian homes from the 1880s–1910s along the streets between the Plaza, Sophienburg Hill and Landa Park, and the tin-roofed dance hall, store and cottages that make Gruene what it is. Roofs here are steep gables and hips with dormers, standing-seam terne and galvanized metal that has been painted a dozen times, board decking, brick and limestone chimneys with flashing older than anyone alive, and — on the houses that got shingles in the 1970s — architectural shingles now on their second or third round.
Both districts are locally designated, which means exterior work that changes the roof's material, color or profile goes to the city's Historic Landmark Commission for a Certificate of Alteration before the permit is issued. We prepare that application with the estimate, match the original where the commission asks — standing-seam metal on the metal houses, architectural shingles on the shingled ones — and price decking, flashing and chimney work by the piece so a 140-year-old roof doesn't come with surprises. Hail hits these roofs like every other in 78130; the difference is what you're allowed to put back, and we know the answer before we quote.
What we do in Gruene & Downtown New Braunfels
Standing-seam metal
Repaint, repair and replace the terne and galvanized standing seam on the historic houses and Gruene's commercial buildings.
Steep shingle roofs
Architectural shingles on 10/12-and-steeper gables with proper starter, ice-and-water in the valleys and ridge ventilation.
Chimneys & flashing
New crowns, crickets and counter-flashing cut into limestone and brick.
Board-decking repair
Gapped or rotten decking overlaid or replaced, priced per sheet before the tear-off.
Historic Landmark review
Certificate of Alteration applications prepared with the estimate.
Hail claims
Test-square inspections and adjuster meetings; the claim scope written for what the district allows.
Neighborhoods and areas we cover
- Gruene Historic District
- Downtown New Braunfels (Main Plaza)
- Sophienburg Hill
- Landa Park area
- Comal Springs
- Seguin Avenue
- San Antonio Street
- Castell Avenue
- Mill Street
- Comal Avenue
- Academy Avenue
- Zink Street
- Coll Street
- Landa Street
- Gruene Road
- Common Street (north)
Roofing services available in Gruene & Downtown New Braunfels
- Roof repair & leak repair
- Hail & storm damage and insurance claims
- Roof replacement — shingle, metal and tile
- 24/7 emergency tarping
- Roof inspections, gutters, skylights & ventilation
- Commercial roofing
Questions from Gruene & Downtown New Braunfels homeowners
Do I need approval to reroof a house in the downtown historic district?
If the roof's material, color or profile changes, yes — the Historic Landmark Commission issues a Certificate of Alteration first. Like-for-like repairs are simpler. We prepare the application; we've been through it many times.
Can hail-damaged standing seam be repaired?
Often — dented panels on a sound roof are cosmetic, and the commission and most carriers treat them that way. Split seams, failed paint and rust are a different matter, and we tell you which you have.
What replaces an old tin roof in Gruene?
A new standing-seam metal roof — historically right and what the district prefers. Galvalume or painted, formed to match the original seam spacing.
Why is a historic-district roof more expensive?
Steep pitches, complex framing, board decking, chimney work and the material the district requires. We price every one as a line item.
Do you work on the commercial buildings in Gruene?
Yes — the metal roofs on the shops and restaurants, with the Landmark Commission paperwork and the schedule planned around the crowds.
Nearby: West New Braunfels · Garden Ridge · Seguin · full service area