Built-up roofing, or tar and gravel, is the century-old system still protecting North Richland Hills buildings that were roofed before single-ply existed, and still a legitimate choice for the right structure.
Built-up roofing builds a roof in redundant layers: alternating bitumen and reinforcing felts, topped with gravel that shields the assembly from UV and traffic. The same mass and redundancy that make BUR heavy also make it durable, so an existing built-up roof in North Richland Hills often earns maintenance and restoration before anyone talks about replacement.
Building owners get a free written estimate and an inspection documented with photos. When a claim is involved, we do not waive deductibles (Texas law prohibits it), and we are not a public adjuster.
Built-Up Roofs After North Richland Hills Hailstorms
Commercial roofs near North Richland Hills have seen hail an inch or larger on 30 days since 2006, and golf-ball hail or bigger on 8 of them. The largest recorded stone, 3.0 inches, fell on April 28, 2021. A gravel-surfaced BUR takes those hits through its layers instead of a single sheet, which is a large part of why restoration is so often on the table after a storm.
Age is the other variable. The city’s housing has a 1986 median build year, so this is an established part of Tarrant County, and on an older low-slope building we want a documented inspection before anyone recommends tearing off a roof that may still have service left in it. The same crews maintain built-up systems in Haltom City and Richland Hills.
THE SYSTEM
Built-Up Roofing (BUR), up close.
Flat / low-slope membrane. Single-ply and built-up systems chosen by what the roof actually does all day.
PUBLIC RECORD
The local record behind Built-Up Roofing (BUR) in North Richland Hills
How a roof system holds up in North Richland Hills depends on the storms it has to take and the houses it sits on. Here is what the public record shows.
30
Hail days, 1 in.+ since 2006
8
Golf-ball-size hail days
3 in.
Largest stone on record
1986
Median year homes built
Hail near North Richland Hills
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 30 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 5 miles of North Richland Hills. On 8 of those days, the stones were golf ball size or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 14 of the last 20 years. The largest stones on record nearby measured 3 inches (teacup size) on April 28, 2021. The most recent report: 1-inch hail on May 25, 2026.
April 28, 2021: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
April 13, 2007: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
May 27, 2024: 2.75-inch hail (baseball size)
April 19, 2011: 2-inch hail (hen egg size)
March 30, 2009: 2-inch hail (hen egg size)
How old North Richland Hills homes are
The median home in North Richland Hills was built in 1986, and 35% of the city's 28,897 housing units predate 1980. Many of these houses are likely on their second roof or nearing the point where they need one.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database (hail reports since 2006 within 5 miles of North Richland Hills); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Data pulled September 2026.
Common questions about built-up roofing (bur) in North Richland Hills
My North Richland Hills building has tar-and-gravel. Replace it?
Not automatically. Sound BUR restores and maintains well; its redundancy is real. A moisture survey tells you whether the assembly beneath the gravel is dry, and that answer decides.
Why did BUR fall out of fashion?
Weight, installation labor, and odor during application. Single-ply installs faster and lighter. Neither of those points makes an existing sound BUR roof bad.
Should we match the original material when re-roofing in North Richland Hills?
Not automatically. A roof on its second or third cycle is a chance to rethink: Class 4 asphalt for the insurance math, metal or premium systems where the home and horizon justify them. We quote the honest options against your actual house.
How often does hail hit North Richland Hills?
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 30 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 5 miles of North Richland Hills, including 8 days with golf ball size stones or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 14 of the last 20 years. The most recent report was 1-inch hail on May 25, 2026.
How old are most homes in North Richland Hills?
The median home in North Richland Hills was built in 1986, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. 35% of the city's housing units predate 1980 and 12% were built in 2010 or later. Many homes here are reaching the age when original roofs come due.
