What Lakefront Roofs Around Gun Barrel City Are Up Against

A roof on a home near Cedar Creek Lake works harder than most people realize. From the road it looks like any other roof, but it stands against a combination of wind, moisture, sun, and hail that a sheltered inland roof never faces all at once. Homeowners around Gun Barrel City often wonder why their roofs seem to weather faster, stain sooner, or lose shingles more readily than a friend's roof in a subdivision away from the water, and the answer is the lake. Understanding what a lakefront roof is up against explains why it needs particular materials and care, and SCR, Inc. brings that understanding as a roofing contractor serving the Cedar Creek Lake area.

The forces that work on a lake-area roof are not dramatic on any single day, but together and over time they add up, and knowing them helps a Gun Barrel City homeowner protect their roof rather than replace it early. Each of the lake's challenges calls for a specific response in materials and installation.

Wind That Never Stops

The defining feature of a lakefront roof's environment is wind. Open water offers no resistance, so wind blows across Cedar Creek Lake and hits shoreline homes with a force and consistency that inland homes, sheltered by trees and other buildings, do not feel. That constant wind exposure works on a roof steadily: it tugs at shingle edges through wind uplift, loosening them over time, and it drives rain sideways under shingles and flashing during storms. A lakefront roof that is not sealed and edged for wind loses shingles at the perimeter first, where the uplift is strongest. This is why wind-rated shingles, proper edge sealing, and correct installation matter more on the lake, and why a roofing contractor who knows the shore builds for the wind from the start.

Sun, Heat, and Thermal Cycling

The same open exposure that brings the wind brings the sun. A lakefront roof, often with less shade than an inland home tucked among trees, takes the full Texas sun and heat, and the ultraviolet light and heat age asphalt shingles over the years, drying them out and making them brittle. The daily heating and cooling, thermal cycling, expands and contracts the roof materials, working at seams and fasteners over time. In the Texas summer, attic temperatures under a sun-exposed roof can climb well past comfortable, which stresses the roof from below as well. Proper ventilation that lets the attic breathe, and shingles built to handle the sun, help a lakefront roof resist this aging. A roofing contractor who accounts for the sun exposure specifies the ventilation and materials that keep the roof from aging early.

Wind Loosens the Edges First

Open-water wind tugs hardest at a lakefront roof's shingle edges through wind uplift, so a lake roof that is not sealed and edged for wind loses shingles at the perimeter first, where the force is strongest.

Less Shade Means Faster Aging

A lakefront home often has less shade than an inland home among trees, so its roof takes the full Texas sun, and the ultraviolet light and thermal cycling dry and age the shingles faster, which proper ventilation and sun-rated materials help resist.

Humid Lake Air Feeds Algae

The higher humidity around Cedar Creek Lake feeds the algae and moss that streak a roof, especially on shaded north-facing slopes, so a lakefront roof stains and degrades faster than an inland one unless it uses algae-resistant shingles.

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Moisture and the Growth It Feeds

Around the lake, humidity is higher, and that moisture feeds the algae and moss that discolor and degrade a roof. The dark streaks that appear on a roof, especially on the shaded north-facing slopes, are algae growth, and beyond looking bad, that growth holds moisture against the roof surface and can shorten its life. On a lakefront home in the humid air near the water, this growth takes hold faster than it would inland. Algae-resistant shingles, made with granules that inhibit the growth, resist the staining, and proper ventilation that helps the roof dry keeps moisture from lingering. Addressing the moisture is part of protecting a lake-area roof, and a roofing contractor who knows the lake includes it in the plan.

And the Hail

On top of the wind, sun, and moisture, a Gun Barrel City lakefront roof faces the same hail that hits all of North and East Texas. Hail damage on a lake home is handled like anywhere, with inspection, documentation, and an insurance claim where the damage warrants, but the lake home's other exposures mean its roof may already be working harder, so hail on an aging, wind-stressed lakefront roof can be the final blow. Impact-resistant shingles that survive hail, combined with the wind and moisture protection a lake roof needs, give a Gun Barrel City home a roof built for everything the lake and the sky deliver. SCR helps lakefront homeowners choose that combination.

Building a Roof for the Lake

Protecting a lakefront roof means building it for all of these forces at once, which takes a roofing contractor who understands the lake environment. SCR, Inc. installs wind-rated, impact-resistant, and algae-resistant roofing with proper ventilation and edge sealing, matched to the exposure a specific Cedar Creek Lake home faces. Family-owned since 1998 with more than 25 years of experience, licensed, bonded, and insured, GAF and CertainTeed certified, and backed by a $10,000 workmanship guarantee, SCR builds lake roofs to handle the wind, sun, moisture, and hail together. That complete approach is what keeps a lakefront roof sound for its full life rather than aging early against the lake.

Maintaining a Lakefront Roof

Because a lakefront roof works so hard, regular attention extends its life and catches problems early. Keeping the roof clear of the debris and organic growth that the humid lake air encourages prevents moisture from lingering against the surface. Having the roof inspected after major storms catches the wind and hail damage a lake home is prone to before it becomes a leak. Keeping the attic ventilation working helps the roof and attic stay drier through the humid seasons and cooler through the Texas summer, both of which slow the roof's aging. And addressing small issues, a few lifted shingles at a wind-exposed edge, a bit of algae taking hold on a north slope, before they spread keeps a lakefront roof sound. A roofing contractor who knows the lake can handle this maintenance and catch the early signs, which is worth more on a hard-working lake roof than on a sheltered inland one. SCR provides that inspection and maintenance for Cedar Creek Lake homes, so a lakefront roof reaches its full life.

The payoff of that attention is a roof that lasts. A lakefront roof that is maintained, ventilated, and built for the conditions can serve its full intended lifespan despite the wind, sun, moisture, and hail, while a neglected one ages early and fails before its time. For a Gun Barrel City homeowner, that regular care is the difference between replacing a roof early and getting the years the roof was meant to give.

Choosing a Contractor Who Knows the Lake

A lakefront roof rewards a roofing contractor who understands its specific challenges, because the difference between a roof built for the lake and a generic one shows within a few years. A contractor who knows Cedar Creek Lake specifies wind-rated shingles and proper edge sealing for the open-water wind, algae-resistant granules and ventilation for the humidity, sun-appropriate materials and attic ventilation for the heat, and impact-resistant shingles for the hail, all matched to the specific home. A contractor who treats a lake home like any other installs a roof that fights the lake and loses early. SCR brings the lake-specific knowledge, the certified installation, and the $10,000 workmanship guarantee that give a Gun Barrel City lakefront home a roof built for its real conditions. Family-owned since 1998, it has protected North Texas homes through the weather the region delivers for more than 25 years.

For a homeowner on or near Cedar Creek Lake, understanding what the roof is up against is the first step, and building it for those conditions is the second. A roof designed for the lake handles the wind, sun, moisture, and hail together and serves its full life, which is what a lakefront home deserves and what SCR delivers.

Every roof around Cedar Creek Lake works against wind, sun, moisture, and hail at once, and building it for all of them is what makes it last. SCR gives Gun Barrel City lakefront homes a roof matched to those conditions, family-owned since 1998 and backed by a $10,000 workmanship guarantee.

The Payoff of Doing It Right

A lakefront roof built and maintained for its conditions rewards the homeowner in ways a generic roof does not. It lasts closer to its full intended lifespan instead of aging early, it resists the algae staining that makes a neglected lake roof look tired within a few years, it holds its shingles through the wind that strips a poorly sealed roof, and it survives the hail that would send an ordinary roof to an insurance claim. Over the years a homeowner owns the home, that adds up to fewer repairs, fewer replacements, and a better-looking, better-performing roof. The upfront care of choosing the right materials and a contractor who knows the lake pays back across the life of the roof, which is why building a lakefront roof right is worth it. SCR delivers that on Cedar Creek Lake homes, matching the roof to the lake and standing behind it.

A lakefront roof is up against more than most, and building it for the lake is what protects it. To protect a Cedar Creek Lake home with a roofing contractor who knows the shore, contact roofing contractor SCR, Inc. at (972) 839-6834 for a free inspection.

 

Gun Barrel City, Texas
Town
Flag of Gun Barrel City, Texas
Flag
Official logo of Gun Barrel City, Texas
Logo
Location of Gun Barrel City, Texas
Location of Gun Barrel City, Texas
Coordinates: 32°19′36″N 96°06′58″W / 32.32667°N 96.11611°W / 32.32667; -96.11611
Country United States
State Texas
County Henderson
Area
[1]
 • Total
 6.63 sq mi (17.16 km2)
 • Land 6.25 sq mi (16.20 km2)
 • Water 0.37 sq mi (0.96 km2)
Elevation
[2]
 364 ft (111 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
 6,190
 • Density 992.7/sq mi (383.28/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
75156
Area codes 430, 903
FIPS code 48-31592[3]
GNIS feature ID 2410673[2]
Website gunbarrelcity.gov

Gun Barrel City is a town in Henderson County, Texas, United States. Its population was 6,190 at the 2020 census,[4] an increase over the figure of 5,672 tabulated in 2010.

History

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The town began as an unincorporated community known as the "Old Bethel Community" in the 1960s after completion of Cedar Creek Reservoir. It was incorporated in the late 1960s so it could legally sell beer and wine. The town takes its name from a former road, Gun Barrel Lane (which is now State Highway 198), and has as its motto, "We Shoot Straight with You", and its symbol—a rifle with two crossed antique pistols after having to remove Yosemite Sam as its unofficial mascot on its signs along the road at the town limits. Gun Barrel Lane is rumored to have gotten its name during the 1920s and 1930s when Jesse Daniels frequented the area. It was considered a safe backwoods place during Prohibition when the likes of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker hung out in the area. The road got its name for simply being "straight as a gun barrel" for 2 mi between US Hwy 175 and Texas Hwy 334 to the south.

Gun Barrel City was formed in the 1960s. Not long after Cedar Creek Lake (a reservoir for the Tarrant Regional Water District) completed construction, the fledgling community that sat on its banks took steps to officially become a town.

Gun Barrel City was incorporated on May 26, 1969. Since then, it has grown into a main hub and access point for visitors to Cedar Creek Lake. In addition to the high level of tourism that the community experiences (particularly during the summer boating season), Gun Barrel City and the surrounding communities have experienced a residential building boom over the past several years. This growth has largely been led by the relocation of retirees from throughout the Dallas region, building lake homes to take advantage of Gun Barrel City's lake access. [citation needed]

In May 2000, Gun Barrel City voters elected their 13th mayor, 21-year-old entrepreneur and newspaper publisher Randal Tye Thomas. He resigned after community outcry in May 2001 following a grand jury indictment for one count of misdemeanor perjury[5] and in the same week being arrested by the Gun Barrel City Police Department for public intoxication. All criminal charges were eventually dismissed.[6] Thomas and the community were featured in many local, state, and national publications and programs, including a feature story in Texas Monthly and a feature interview on the nationwide NPR program This American Life.[7] Thomas moved to the Dallas area in 2002, and died in 2014.

In 2008, Gun Barrel City received the coveted Certified Retirement Community recognition from the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan program. The community has also received recognition from the governor's office, receiving second place on two separate occasions in the governor's Community Achievement Awards.[8]

Geography

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Gun Barrel City is located in northwestern Henderson County, on the eastern shore of Cedar Creek Lake, part of the Trinity River watershed. It is bordered to the north by the town of Mabank. To the west, across the lake, is the city of Seven Points. Texas State Highway 334 runs through the center of town, leading west to Seven Points and east to U.S. Route 175 between Mabank and Eustace. Texas State Highway 198 crosses Highway 334 in the eastern part of Gun Barrel City, leading north to Mabank and south 15 miles (24 km) to Malakoff. Athens, the Henderson county seat, is 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Gun Barrel City via US 175.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Gun Barrel City has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.2 km2), of which 0.39 square miles (1.0 km2), or 5.59%, is covered by water.[4]

Economy

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Nestled on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake, 55 miles (89 km) southeast of downtown Dallas, Gun Barrel City is the retail hub for a trade area of more than 75,000 people and features no town property tax.

The lake is the fourth-largest in Texas with over 220 miles (350 km) of shoreline, making it one of the most popular lakes for boating and fishing.

All of this activity swells the stated population of 5,000+ to more than 10,000 during the boating season, which now starts before Memorial Day and extends well past Labor Day.[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
Census Pop. Note %±
1970 327   —
1980 2,118   547.7%
1990 3,526   66.5%
2000 5,145   45.9%
2010 5,672   10.2%
2020 6,190   9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, Gun Barrel City had a population of 6,190 and a median age of 43.8 years.[11] 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.8% were 65 years of age or older, with 99.0 males for every 100 females overall and 94.9 males for every 100 females age 18 and over.[11]

The 2020 census counted 2,484 households, including 1,629 families; 28.3% had children under the age of 18, 45.9% were married-couple households, 19.2% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 26.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 3,084 housing units, of which 19.5% were vacant; the homeowner vacancy rate was 4.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[11]

93.5% of residents lived in urban areas while 6.5% lived in rural areas.[12]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[13]
Race Number Percent
White 5,346 86.4%
Black or African American 77 1.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 47 0.8%
Asian 44 0.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0%
Some other race 194 3.1%
Two or more races 480 7.8%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 615 9.9%

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[3] of 2000, 5,145 people, 2,163 households, and 1,498 families resided in the town. The population density was 1,000.5 people/sq mi (386.5/km2). The 2,736 housing units averaged 532.0/sq mi (205.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.23% White, 1.11% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 1.32% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latino of any race were 3.60% of the population.

Of the 2,163 households, 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were not families, 78 were unmarried partner households; 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the town, the population was distributed as 21.8% under 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,075, and for a family was $34,321. Males had a median income of $33,872 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,046. About 13.1% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

Gun Barrel City is within the Mabank Independent School District. Elementary schools include Southside Elementary, Central Elementary, and Lakeview Elementary. A new high-school campus opened in the fall of 2007. The new campus is adjacent to the old high school in Mabank. Lakeview Elementary School (Gun Barrel City), Mabank Intermediate School (Mabank), Mabank Junior High School (Mabank), and Mabank High School (Mabank) serve Gun Barrel City.

Economic development

[edit]

Organization

The Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a community team made up of resident executives and business owners, responsible for attracting new investment and helping expand existing businesses within the town. With a seven-member board and one staff person, the Gun Barrel City EDC is funded by a $.0025 sales tax.

Business assistance

The Gun Barrel City EDC provides business assistance to qualifying companies. They evaluate incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the Gun Barrel City area and base their findings on taxes assessed and paid, the number of jobs created or retained, wages paid, local purchases of products and services, indirect employment gains, and the general benefit of furthering the mission of the Gun Barrel City EDC.

They primarily seek businesses in manufacturing, production, medical/health, hospitality, and distribution. Funds may be used in land lease/purchase, building lease/purchase, rehabilitation or construction, capital equipment purchase, infrastructure improvements or employee training. Funds may not be used for venture or equity capital, working capital/inventories, or personal loans. Forms of business assistance include loans/loan guarantees, SBA 504, SBA 7(A) guaranteed and direct loans, and the rural economic development fund.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gun Barrel City, Texas
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Gun Barrel City city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2018.cite web: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Index to Politicians: Thomas, O to R". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  6. ^ "dallasnews.com | Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. May 16, 2001. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  7. ^ "Radio Archive by Date | This American Life". thislife.org. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  8. ^ Gun Barrel City municipal website, http://www.gunbarrelcity.net
  9. ^ a b "Gun Barrel City EDC | "There's Something for Everyone!"". gbcedc.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  12. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
 
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One built for wind, sun, moisture, and hail together: wind-rated and impact-resistant shingles with algae-resistant granules and proper ventilation, or a standing seam metal roof for strong wind performance and longevity. SCR matches the material to the specific Cedar Creek Lake home and its exposure rather than defaulting to one product.
Yes. North-facing slopes stay shaded and damp, and in the humid air near Cedar Creek Lake they grow the algae and moss that streak and degrade a roof faster than sunnier slopes. Algae-resistant shingles and proper ventilation help. SCR addresses moisture and growth as part of protecting a Gun Barrel City lake roof.

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