Celeste·Projects·Roof

Hillside Roof Replacement

Los Feliz, Los Angeles

Type

Roof

Location

Los Feliz, Los Angeles

Duration

11 days

Year

2025

Overview

The project.

Complete tear-off and replacement of a 28-year-old three-tab shingle roof on a 1940s hillside home. Deck remediation, new underlayment system, and Class A architectural shingles specified for high UV and fire exposure.

Objectives

Complete removal of existing roofing system and inspection of full deck.

Remediate all deteriorated deck sections before new roofing.

Install a Class A fire-rated system appropriate for hillside fire exposure.

Replace all flashing at chimney, skylights, and valleys.

Provide manufacturer warranty registration and documentation package.

Before / After

Before

After

Drag the handle to compare before and after.

Condition Assessment

Condition at assessment.

The existing roof was a 28-year-old three-tab shingle system — well past its rated service life. Granule loss was extensive across south and west exposures. Two valleys had active moisture intrusion documented by staining on the attic sheathing. Three sections of deck showed soft spots consistent with long-term moisture exposure. Flashing at the chimney and two skylights had failed.

Granule loss

High

Extensive granule loss on south and west exposures — UV protection compromised.

Valley moisture intrusion

High

Active moisture intrusion in two valleys — staining visible on attic sheathing.

Deck deterioration

Medium

Three sections of soft deck consistent with long-term moisture exposure.

Flashing failure

High

Chimney and skylight flashing had failed — primary moisture entry points.

Design Decisions

Why we did what we did.

Architectural shingle over three-tab.

The original three-tab shingle was the minimum viable product for this home's exposure. We specified a 50-year architectural shingle with a Class A fire rating and enhanced wind resistance — appropriate for a hillside location with elevated fire risk.

Full deck replacement in affected sections.

Rather than sistering deteriorated sections, we replaced full deck panels in the three affected areas. This ensures a continuous, flat substrate and eliminates the risk of hidden deterioration at the edges of repaired sections.

Ice and water shield at all valleys and penetrations.

Southern California's infrequent but intense rain events create significant valley runoff. We installed self-adhering ice and water shield at all valleys, eaves, and penetrations — not just the code minimum.

Products Specified

What we used.

Roofing System

Architectural Shingle — 50-year

Class A fire rating · Enhanced wind resistance · Cool roof option

Underlayment

Synthetic Felt Underlayment

Tear-resistant · UV stable · 180-day exposure rating

Moisture Protection

Self-Adhering Ice & Water Shield

All valleys, eaves, and penetrations · Self-sealing around fasteners

Flashing

Galvanized Steel Flashing

Chimney · Skylights · Valleys · Step flashing at all walls

Construction Documentation

In progress.

Deck structure after tear-off — prior to remediation.

Timeline

How it unfolded.

Day 1

Tear-off & Deck Inspection

Complete removal of existing roofing. Full deck inspection and documentation of all deteriorated sections.

Days 2–3

Deck Remediation

Replacement of three deteriorated deck sections. New OSB installed and fastened to code.

Days 4–5

Underlayment & Flashing

Ice and water shield at all valleys and penetrations. Synthetic underlayment over full deck. New flashing at chimney, skylights, and all walls.

Days 6–9

Shingle Installation

Architectural shingle installation from eave to ridge. Ridge cap installation.

Days 10–11

Inspection & Documentation

Final inspection, cleanup, and documentation package. Warranty registration submitted.

Ready to start?

Tell us about your home.

Request a Consultation All Projects

The project.

Full replacement of 24 original single-pane aluminum windows in a 1958 mid-century home. Low-E dual-pane units specified to preserve the home's architectural character while dramatically reducing solar heat gain.

Objectives

Replace all 24 windows with thermally broken, low-E dual-pane units.

Preserve the home's mid-century architectural character — slim sightlines, horizontal emphasis.

Achieve ENERGY STAR certification for the Southern California climate zone.

Ensure Title 24 compliance for all replacement units.

Condition at assessment.

The home retained its original 1958 single-pane aluminum windows — architecturally significant but thermally poor. Seal failure was present in several units. The south and west-facing windows were contributing substantially to cooling loads; the homeowner reported the west-facing living room as unusable in the afternoon. Hardware failure on three sliding units.

Single-pane glazing

High

Original single-pane aluminum windows — no thermal break, no low-E coating. Primary driver of cooling load.

Hardware failure

Medium

Three sliding units with failed hardware — not operable.

Frame corrosion

Low

Surface corrosion on several frames — cosmetic but indicative of age.

Air infiltration

Medium

Measurable air infiltration at multiple units — weatherstripping failed.

The project.

Design and construction of a 680 sq ft attached outdoor room — structural pergola, shade sail system, and architectural lighting — extending the home's living space into the rear yard. Permitted and engineered for Santa Ana wind loads.

Objectives

Create a shaded outdoor living space usable year-round.

Design a structure architecturally consistent with the home's contemporary character.

Engineer and permit the structure for Santa Ana wind loads.

Remove existing unpermitted trellis and remediate attachment point.

Condition at assessment.

The rear yard was an underutilized concrete patio with no shade, no weather protection, and no architectural connection to the home. The homeowner reported the space as unusable from May through October due to afternoon sun exposure. An existing wood trellis — unpermitted and structurally inadequate — was present along the west wall.

No shade or weather protection

High

Unshaded south and west exposure — space unusable during peak afternoon hours.

Unpermitted trellis

Medium

Existing wood trellis along west wall — unpermitted, structurally inadequate, and not attached to the home.

No architectural connection

Medium

Patio had no visual or material connection to the home's architecture.

Hillside Roof Replacement

The project.

Condition at assessment.

Why we did what we did.

Architectural shingle over three-tab.

Full deck replacement in affected sections.

Ice and water shield at all valleys and penetrations.

What we used.

In progress.

How it unfolded.

Tell us about your home.

Mid-Century Window Replacement

The project.

Condition at assessment.

Why we did what we did.

Thermally broken aluminum to preserve character.

Differentiated SHGC by orientation.

Insert replacement to preserve original openings.

What we used.

In progress.

How it unfolded.

Tell us about your home.

Brentwood Outdoor Room

The project.

Condition at assessment.

Why we did what we did.

Structural steel posts, wood beam aesthetic.

Shade sail system for adjustable coverage.

Architectural lighting integrated into the structure.

What we used.

In progress.

How it unfolded.

Tell us about your home.