Roof Replacement.
Class-A fire-rated, Title 24 compliant, 30+ year systems.
Roof replacement is the most-deferred and least-glamorous big-ticket home repair — until a winter storm reveals a leak that's been quietly rotting framing for years. We replace 50–80 California roofs a year and have settled on a tight set of systems that hold up to fire-zone requirements, Title 24 cool-roof rules, and the wide range of architectural styles common to LA and the Bay.
Typical range
$15K – $80K for typical 2,000 sqft of roof area
Per unit
$7 – $32 / sqft installed
Timeline
1–3 weeks total for most homes — 1 week tear-off + install, 1–2 weeks for tile.
The short version.
Asphalt composition shingles remain the dominant California roofing material — 25, 30, and 50-year ratings, $7–$14 per sqft installed, Class-A fire rating when paired with proper underlayment, and Title 24 cool-roof compliant when the granule color is light enough (SRI ≥ 16 for low-slope, ≥ 20 for steep-slope). Concrete and clay tile dominate Mediterranean and Spanish architecture (huge in LA), last 50+ years, but weigh 3–4× as much as composition and may require roof-frame reinforcement on older homes.
Metal roofing (standing seam) is increasingly popular for modern California homes — 50+ year lifespan, very low maintenance, premium aesthetic, $14–$24 per sqft installed. TPO and modified bitumen are flat-roof systems for low-slope or flat sections (common on mid-century and modern California homes), 20–30 year lifespan, $9–$16 per sqft, fully bonded with no mechanical fasteners through the membrane.
Underlayment matters as much as the visible roofing. Synthetic underlayment (Titanium UDL, Tyvek Protec) outperforms 30 lb felt by an order of magnitude — tear resistance, UV stability during construction, walkability for the crew. Ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys is required even in California (CRC R905.1.1) and is the single most-skipped detail by cut-rate roofers. We never skip it.
What you can actually pick.
Asphalt composition (30-year architectural)
Pros — Cheapest option, broad color and texture choice, Class-A fire rating, well-understood.
Cons — Shortest lifespan, replacement every 25–30 years, less prestige aesthetic.
$7–$14 / sqft installed25–30 yearsConcrete tile
Pros — 50+ year lifespan, Mediterranean aesthetic, fully fire-resistant.
Cons — Heavy (may require roof-frame reinforcement), cracks under foot traffic, expensive.
$12–$22 / sqft installed50+ yearsClay tile (Spanish, S-tile)
Pros — Iconic CA aesthetic, longest lifespan, never fades.
Cons — Heaviest option, most expensive, brittle.
$18–$32 / sqft installed75+ yearsStanding-seam metal
Pros — 50+ year life, modern aesthetic, ideal for fire zones, very low maintenance.
Cons — Higher cost, noisy in heavy rain without proper underlayment, expansion/contraction noise.
$14–$24 / sqft installed50+ yearsTPO membrane (flat roofs)
Pros — Heat-welded seams, fully bonded, no fasteners through membrane, white reflective.
Cons — Specialized install crew, less aesthetic appeal, 20–30 year lifespan.
$9–$16 / sqft installed20–30 years
What we deliver.
- Roof inspection, decking assessment, leak history review
- Material selection — color, profile, warranty registration
- Permit submittal (most CA jurisdictions require a roofing permit)
- Tear-off existing roofing material, dump fees
- Decking inspection — replace any rotted or delaminated plywood
- Underlayment install — synthetic field, ice-and-water at eaves and valleys
- Drip edge install at eaves and rakes
- Roofing material install per manufacturer spec
- Flashing — step flashing at walls, counter-flashing at chimneys, valley metal
- Ridge and hip caps, ridge vent if part of attic ventilation system
- Gutter and downspout install or re-hang
- Site cleanup, magnetic nail sweep, final inspection
The code parts most owners miss.
- All California residential roofing must be Class-A fire rated in fire hazard severity zones (CBC §1505.1, Chapter 7A).
- Title 24 cool-roof requirements apply to low-slope roofs (SRI ≥ 16) and steep-slope roofs in climate zones 10–15 (SRI ≥ 20).
- Ice-and-water shield required at eaves and valleys in all California climate zones (CRC R905.1.1).
- Attic ventilation: minimum 1 sqft net free area per 150 sqft of attic, split between intake (eaves) and exhaust (ridge or gable) per CRC R806.
- Roof-mounted PV solar requires a structural review for added dead load and rooftop walkway access per CBC §1607.12.
- Tile roofs over 9 lbs/sqft may require structural reinforcement of older roof framing — engineered evaluation recommended.
Why getting this right pays off.
Roof failures are the most-expensive water defect because they damage everything underneath — drywall, insulation, framing, flooring, and personal belongings. A well-installed 30-year roof actually delivers 30 years; a poorly installed 30-year roof leaks within 5 because of skipped ice-and-water shield, wrong flashing details, or improper underlayment. We've replaced more than one 8-year-old roof from another contractor.
Fire rating is non-negotiable in California. Class-A roofs are code-required in fire hazard severity zones (most of inland California, all hillside neighborhoods). Class-A is also strongly recommended in non-fire zones because re-roofing for fire compliance later is more expensive than getting it right now.
What goes wrong — and how to avoid it.
- Skipping ice-and-water shield at eaves — leaks at the first wind-driven rain
- Reusing existing flashing — usually corroded, leaks within 2 years
- Installing dark composition shingles in Title 24-required cool-roof zones — fails inspection
- No attic ventilation calc — premature shingle failure from heat buildup
- Tile roof installed without structural evaluation on a pre-1970 home — overloaded framing
- Cheap synthetic underlayment that tears during install — voids manufacturer warranty
After we hand you the keys.
- Inspect annually before October rains — look for lifted shingles, broken tiles, exposed underlayment
- Clean gutters and downspouts twice a year
- Trim tree branches to minimum 4 ft from the roof surface
- Check flashing at chimneys, vents, and skylights for cracked sealant every 3 years
- Inspect attic for moisture stains or daylight after every major storm
Who actually makes a California roof.
Three asphalt-shingle manufacturers control roughly 75% of the US market, and a different shortlist controls metal and tile. The brand on the wrapper changes how the roof ages on a Westside June-gloom morning and a Valley 105°F September afternoon.
US market size
US residential roofing: ~$23B / year in 2026. Asphalt shingle alone is ~$14B. California: ~$2.6B residential, dominated by asphalt + concrete tile.
California reality
WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) zones across LA and the Bay force Class A assemblies, ember-resistant venting, and Chapter 7A material lists. That single rule reshapes the brand shortlist.
The manufacturers behind the spec sheet.
- Our default
Owens Corning
Toledo, OH — Fortune 500, NYSE: OC
Market — ≈30% US asphalt shingle share — #1 nationally.
Product — Duration, Duration Storm, TruDefinition; SureNail strip.
In California — Distributed statewide through ABC Supply and Beacon. Algae warranty matters in coastal LA + Marin fog belt.
SureNail nailing strip cuts blow-off claims in Santa Ana winds; warranty transferable once.
- Our default
GAF
Parsippany, NJ — Standard Industries (private).
Market — ≈25% US share — #2.
Product — Timberline HDZ, Timberline UHDZ, Grand Sequoia.
In California — Master Elite contractors get the Golden Pledge 50-yr labor warranty — fewer than 3% of US roofers qualify.
HDZ LayerLock nail zone is the most forgiving in the field; matches OC on price.
- Spec on request
CertainTeed
Malvern, PA — Saint-Gobain subsidiary.
Market — ≈18% US share — #3.
Product — Landmark, Landmark Pro, Presidential Shake TL.
In California — Presidential TL is the closest asphalt match to wood shake in HPOZ-style LA neighborhoods.
Higher per-square cost than OC/GAF but architectural depth is real on Spanish + Craftsman elevations.
- Our default
Eagle Roofing Products
Rialto, CA — privately held.
Market — Largest concrete tile maker on the West Coast.
Product — Bel Air, Capistrano, Ponderosa concrete tile.
In California — Plant in Rialto + Stockton — short truck, fewer freight breakages than imported clay.
On a Spanish or Mediterranean LA home, concrete tile from Eagle outprices US Tile clay 30–40% with similar life.
- Spec on request
Boral / US Tile
Roswell, GA / Corona, CA plant.
Market — Largest US clay tile maker, Corona plant serves all of CA.
Product — Claylite, US Tile Classic 'S' and Mission.
In California — Real fired clay — the color is in the body, not a coating. Holds tone for 50+ years in UV.
Authentic clay for HPOZ-mandated re-roofs in Pasadena, San Marino, Hancock Park. Premium of ~25% over Eagle concrete.
- Spec on request
DECRA
Corona, CA — Westlake Royal Building Products.
Market — Largest US stone-coated steel maker.
Product — DECRA Tile, DECRA Shake XD, DECRA Villa Tile.
In California — Class A fire + 120 mph wind + 2.5 lb/sqft — only viable 'tile look' for hillside ADUs where structure can't carry concrete.
Light enough for retrofits over 2x6 rafters where concrete tile would force a structural upgrade.
- Our default
Custom-Bilt Metals
Chino, CA.
Market — Major West Coast standing-seam fabricator.
Product — 1.5"/1.75" mechanical-lock standing seam, snap-lock.
In California — Coil rolled to length in Chino — straight on-site rolls for any roof length, no end laps.
Modern Bay Area + hillside LA standing-seam roofs; matches Title 24 cool-roof reflectance with Kynar 500 finishes.
Tier-by-tier — what you actually get.
Builder grade — 3-tab asphalt
$95–$140 / square installed
e.g. Owens Corning Supreme, GAF Royal Sovereign
Insurance flips, rentals. Not WUI-compliant in all cases.
Mid — architectural asphalt
$525–$725 / square installed
e.g. OC Duration, GAF Timberline HDZ, CertainTeed Landmark
Default California re-roof. 30–50 yr warranty.
Architect — designer asphalt + stone-coated steel
$900–$1,400 / square
e.g. Presidential TL, GAF Grand Sequoia, DECRA Shake XD
HPOZ, architect-led ADUs, hillside retrofits.
Bespoke — concrete tile, clay, standing seam
$1,400–$2,400 / square
e.g. Eagle Bel Air, US Tile Mission, Custom-Bilt SS
Mediterranean, Spanish revival, modern Bay homes. 50-year-plus life.
California distributors.
ABC Supply
~20 CA branches incl. Sun Valley, Gardena, Oakland, San Jose.
OC, GAF, CertainTeed, IKO, all major underlayments.
Beacon Building Products
Statewide — Pacoima, Anaheim, Hayward, San Leandro.
Same big 3 + Atlas, Malarkey; full metal coil program.
Allied Building Products / SRS
LA basin + East Bay branches.
Eagle tile, DECRA, Custom-Bilt; tile-heavy mix.
Westlake / DECRA + Eagle direct
Corona + Rialto plants, will-call freight statewide.
Manufacturer-direct on tile + stone-coated steel — best prices on full-house tear-offs.
What it costs this year.
Architectural shingle (OC Duration)
+3% YTD
≈$135 / bundle
Crude tied — moved with diesel pricing into spring.
Synthetic underlayment (GAF Deck Armor)
+6% YTD
≈$190 / 10-sq roll
Replaced felt on 95% of our jobs.
Ice & water shield (GCP Grace)
flat
≈$110 / 2-sq roll
Required at valleys + eaves in CRC R905 anywhere with snow load.
Concrete tile (Eagle Bel Air)
+2% YTD
≈$165 / square
Local plant kept inflation lower than national average.
Standing seam coil (24-ga Kynar)
-4% YTD
≈$2.40 / lb
Steel softening after 2024 peak.
What we tell owners — off the record.
The shingle is 20% of the roof. Underlayment, ice-and-water, drip edge, ridge venting, and flashing details are the other 80%, and they're where contractors cut. A GAF Timberline HDZ over felt and aluminum step-flashing is a 12-year roof. The same shingle over Deck Armor, GCP Grace at every penetration, and lead step-flashing is a 35-year roof.
Owens Corning and GAF are functionally interchangeable on a 50-yard view. The choice usually comes down to which manufacturer the installer is certified under — OC Preferred Contractor or GAF Master Elite. We carry both because that decides whose extended warranty you actually qualify for.
In California WUI zones (most of the hills in both metros), Chapter 7A mandates a Class A assembly. Asphalt + plywood + ASTM E108 cap sheet meets it. Wood shake does not. If a neighbor offers to re-shake your roof, they're either uninformed or hoping you are.
On a Spanish or Mission home, Eagle concrete tile from the Rialto plant lands roughly 30% under US Tile clay and carries the same Class A rating. Clay wins on color depth and 80-year life; concrete wins on price and on lots where structure won't take the weight.
What the brand reps won't tell you.
- Manufacturer 'lifetime' warranties are pro-rated after year 10. Real coverage past year 10 only kicks in under contractor-installed enhanced programs (OC Preferred, GAF Golden Pledge, CertainTeed SureStart Plus).
- Algae streaks on north-facing slopes are gloeocapsa magma. Standard shingles have no defense. Pay the ~5% premium for 'algae-resistant' (StreakGuard, StainGuard Plus) on anything within 5 miles of the coast.
- Title 24 cool-roof reflectance only applies to low-slope and to alterations covering ≥50% of a roof plane. A typical pitched asphalt re-roof in a residential zone is exempt — don't pay an upcharge for 'cool shingles' if you don't have to.
- The cheapest re-roof bid almost always skips drip edge or replaces it with the existing one. Drip edge is a $1.20/LF item that controls whether water hits fascia or sheathing for the next 30 years.
Our default spec
Default: GAF Timberline HDZ or OC Duration over GAF Deck Armor synthetic, GCP Grace Ice & Water at all valleys + eaves + penetrations, painted aluminum drip edge, ridge vent with snow-and-insect baffle, lead jack flashings at plumbing vents. Class A assembly, 50-year material + Golden Pledge labor warranty on file with the manufacturer.
In short.
- How much does a new roof cost in California?
- For 2,000 sqft of roof area: asphalt $14K–$28K, concrete tile $24K–$44K, clay tile $36K–$64K, standing-seam metal $28K–$48K, TPO flat $18K–$32K. Per sqft: $7–$32 depending on material.
- How long does a new roof last?
- Asphalt: 25–30 years. Concrete tile: 50+ years. Clay tile: 75+ years. Standing-seam metal: 50+ years. TPO flat: 20–30 years. Warranties match these ranges when installed per manufacturer spec.
- Do I need a Class-A fire-rated roof in California?
- Yes, in any fire hazard severity zone (most of inland and hillside CA) — required by CBC Chapter 7A. Strongly recommended everywhere else because future fire-zone designation can trigger re-roofing requirements.
- What's Title 24 cool-roof requirement?
- Low-slope roofs in all CA climate zones must have an SRI of 16+ (white or light-colored membrane). Steep-slope roofs in zones 10–15 (hot inland areas) must have an SRI of 20+ (light-colored composition or tile, or coated metal).
- Can I install tile over my existing asphalt roof?
- Usually not — most existing roof framing isn't sized for tile weight without reinforcement. A structural engineer's evaluation costs $1,500–$3,500 and is required before specifying tile on an existing home.
- How long does a roof installation take?
- Asphalt and metal: 5–10 days for a typical 2,000 sqft home. Tile: 10–15 days. TPO flat: 3–7 days. Weather delays are common in winter; we schedule roof work for spring and summer when possible.
- Will my new roof affect my insurance?
- Usually yes — most California insurers offer a 5–15% discount for Class-A fire-rated roofs in fire zones, and an additional discount for impact-resistant materials. We provide the manufacturer certification documents for your insurer.
- Can I add solar panels to a new roof?
- Yes, but install solar on a roof that has at least 25 years of life remaining. Solar racking penetrates the roof and is expensive to remove and reinstall during re-roofing. New composition roof + solar is the right combination; old roof + new solar is a costly mistake.
Keep reading.
Planning roof replacement?
Send us the address and the scope. We'll come back with a line-item budget, a permit path, and a realistic schedule — before you spend on drawings.
Start a project →Roofing done right — priced from the last three we built.
- We show you the actual line items, not a marketing range
- Materials sourced from our standing trade accounts
- Site visit before any number gets sent
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