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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 years

  • Concrete 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+ years

  • Clay tile (Spanish, S-tile)

    Pros — Iconic CA aesthetic, longest lifespan, never fades.

    Cons — Heaviest option, most expensive, brittle.

    $18–$32 / sqft installed75+ years

  • Standing-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+ years

  • TPO 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

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.

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