Shingle Roof Replacement In Encino, CA: What's Under The Shingles

We replaced the roof on this two-story Encino home, about 2,200 square feet of it. On top went Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration COOL shingles in a dark color called Midnight. But most of what makes a shingle roof last is the part you can't see once the job is done.

This page walks through that part. It covers the layer under the shingles, the seal around the chimney, the fire-rated roof vents, and how the Owens Corning warranty gets registered.

What Goes Under The Shingles On A Roof Replacement?

A shingle roof is a system of layers, and the shingles are only the top one. Here's what went on this Encino roof, from the wood up:

• A synthetic underlayment over the whole roof (Titanium UDL50). It's the sheet in the photos with the purple print. Owens Corning says it's up to 5 times lighter than old-style #30 felt paper. It's also built to resist tearing, which matters because the crew walks on it all day.
• A stick-down seal at the chimney, every vent and every valley (Titanium PSU30). This is the red-printed sheet. It's a rubbery membrane that bonds to the wood, so water can't run under it.
• The shingles, with matching ridge caps (the thicker shingles that cover each peak).

We use the same upgraded layers on our other shingle jobs, like this cool roof shingle replacement in Northridge. We don't swap in a basic felt paper to save money on a job.

Why Does The Chimney Get Its Own Seal?

Because the spot where a roof meets a wall is where water collects. Rain runs down the slope, hits the chimney and has nowhere to go but sideways. That's why chimneys, pipes and vents are where most shingle roofs start to leak.

So before any shingles went near this chimney, we wrapped its base in the stick-down membrane. We also turned it up the chimney wall and lapped it over the underlayment. If water ever gets past the metal flashing and shingles above it, it meets a sealed sheet instead of bare wood.

What Are Fire-Rated Roof Vents?

A roof needs attic ventilation: vents that let hot, damp air out of the attic. A regular vent is basically an open hole with a screen. A fire-rated vent is built to keep flames and burning embers out. That matters in a wildfire, when wind can carry embers far ahead of the flames.

This roof has O'Hagin fire-rated vents. O'Hagin makes its Fire&Ice line with flame- and ember-resistant mesh. It says that line is tested to a Class A standard, the top fire rating for roofing. It also says many local fire officials accept it for homes near wildland areas. O'Hagin vents also come in colors, so these ones match the Midnight shingles instead of standing out.

Does A Dark Roof Pass LA's Cool Roof Rule?

Yes, this one does. Encino is part of the City of Los Angeles. LA requires new sloped roofs to meet a cool roof score (SRI) of at least 20. Owens Corning lists Midnight at exactly 20, so it's one of the darkest colors that still passes. Owens Corning also says these shingles meet the cool roof rules in Title 24, California's energy code. If you're curious how that works, we explain it on our solar-ready Encino re-roof, which used the same color.

How Does An Owens Corning Preferred Contractor Register Your Warranty?

We're an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, and registering the warranty is part of the job. When the roof is done, we register the eligible Owens Corning warranty for the homeowner. They then get an email packet with their upgraded Preferred Contractor warranty documents to keep.

Shingle systems like this one typically carry a limited lifetime manufacturer warranty, and we add a 10-year workmanship warranty. The exact terms depend on the products installed and are confirmed in your estimate.

Planning A Shingle Roof Replacement In Encino?

We do shingle roofing and full roof replacements across the San Fernando Valley, including Encino, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana and Woodland Hills. Book a free estimate, and we'll walk you through what goes under your shingles, not just the color on top.