Roof Replacement in South Pasadena, CA
GAF Timberline HDZ® RS Roof Replacement, New Plywood Decking & Torch-Down Roofing
Ark Roofing & Construction recently completed a comprehensive roof replacement in South Pasadena, California, transforming an aging residential roof into a completely rebuilt roofing system with new decking, structural corrections, GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles, and a new torch-down roof for the home’s low-slope section.
This project required much more than removing old shingles and installing a new roof.
Once the existing roofing materials were removed, our crew uncovered an older wood shake roof beneath the shingles. The roof also had areas of sagging plywood and uneven roof planes that needed to be addressed before the new roofing system could be installed properly.
Rather than covering these underlying problems, Ark Roofing & Construction corrected them as part of the roof replacement.
The project included new plywood roof decking, new framing to correct sagging areas, GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles on the pitched roof, and a new torch-down roofing system on the low-slope portion of the home.
The result is a roof that looks cleaner and more uniform while providing the home with a completely renewed roofing foundation.
South Pasadena Roof Replacement: Project at a Glance
Location: South Pasadena, California
Project: Complete residential roof replacement
Existing roof: Asphalt shingles over an older wood shake roofing system
Decking: New plywood roof decking
Structural work: New framing to correct sagging and uneven roof areas
Steep-slope roofing: GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles
Low-slope roofing: New torch-down roofing system
Roofing contractor: Ark Roofing & Construction
A Roof Replacement That Went Beyond the Shingles
One of the most important parts of a complete roof replacement happens after the old roofing material comes off.
From the ground, an aging roof may appear to need only new shingles. But once the existing roofing system is removed, the condition of the underlying decking and framing becomes visible.
That was particularly important on this South Pasadena home.
The existing shingles had been installed over an older wood shake roofing system, creating multiple layers that had to be removed before the roof could be properly rebuilt.
After completing the tear-off, our crew was able to inspect the underlying roof structure and identify areas where additional work was needed.
Instead of simply installing another layer of roofing over the existing conditions, we rebuilt the roof from the underlying structure outward.
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Removing the Old Wood Shake Roofing
Older homes throughout South Pasadena and the surrounding Los Angeles area can have roofing assemblies that are very different from those used in newer construction.
On this property, removing the existing shingles revealed an older wood shake roof beneath them.
Leaving an unsuitable or deteriorated substrate beneath a new roofing system can compromise the foundation of the new roof. For this project, the old materials were removed so the roof structure could be properly prepared.
This also gave our crew access to conditions that could not have been fully evaluated while the previous roofing materials were still in place.
New Plywood Roof Decking
After the old roofing system was removed, Ark Roofing & Construction installed new plywood decking across the areas requiring replacement.
Roof decking creates the structural surface to which the roofing system is attached. A flat, stable and properly prepared deck provides the foundation for underlayment, flashing and finished roofing materials.
Installing new plywood allowed us to create a consistent substrate rather than attempting to install the new roofing materials over the home’s old wood shake roofing assembly.
But replacing the decking alone would not have addressed every issue discovered on this roof.
Correcting the Sagging Roof With New Framing
One of the most important improvements made during this South Pasadena roof replacement involved the roof structure itself.
Sections of the existing roof showed visible sagging and unevenness.
Installing new plywood directly over those areas would not have corrected the underlying roofline. Before completing the new decking, our crew installed new framing where necessary to correct the sagging portions of the roof and create a straighter, more uniform roof plane.
This work was important for both function and appearance.
Correcting the framing gave the new plywood a better structural foundation while also improving the finished visual appearance of the roof.
As the project photos demonstrate, the home has several highly visible roof planes. Creating a cleaner roofline before installing the finished roofing material makes a significant difference in the overall appearance of the completed project.
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GAF Timberline HDZ® RS Roofing for the Pitched Roof
Once the roof structure and new plywood decking were properly prepared, Ark Roofing & Construction installed a new GAF Timberline HDZ® RS roofing system on the home’s steep-slope roof areas.
Timberline HDZ® RS shingles are part of GAF’s California Cool® reflective roofing collection. GAF states that the shingles use its EcoDark® granule technology to combine deeper architectural colors with solar reflectivity. GAF also states that Timberline HDZ® RS shingles can be used to comply with applicable California Title 24 Cool Roof requirements and the Green Building Standards Code of Los Angeles County.
For a South Pasadena home, the architectural appearance of the shingles is particularly well suited to a property like this one, where the roof represents a significant portion of the home’s visible exterior.
The new shingles provide a clean architectural finish while the work underneath them—new decking and corrected framing—provides the properly prepared foundation the finished roof needs.
New Torch-Down Roof for the Low-Slope Section
Not every portion of a home should necessarily use the same roofing material.
This South Pasadena property includes both pitched roof sections and a low-slope roof area.
The pitched portions received GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles, while Ark Roofing & Construction installed a new torch-down roofing system on the low-slope portion of the home.
Torch-down modified-bitumen roofing is commonly used for low-slope and flat roofing applications where conventional shingles are not appropriate.
Using roofing materials selected for the slope and construction of each roof section allowed us to address the home as a complete roofing system rather than trying to use one roofing material everywhere.
One Home, Two Roofing Systems
This project is a good example of why roof replacement planning should account for the architecture of the individual home.
The South Pasadena residence required:
Steep-slope areas: GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles
Low-slope area: Torch-down roofing
Underlying roof: New plywood decking
Uneven roof sections: New framing and structural correction
Each component addressed a different need.
Together, they created a complete roofing solution designed around the actual construction of the property.
Why the Roof Deck Matters During a Roof Replacement
A new roof is only as good as the surface supporting it.
During a complete tear-off, removing the existing roofing gives a contractor an opportunity to inspect conditions that may have been hidden for years.
Depending on the age and construction of a home, this can reveal:
- Deteriorated or damaged decking
- Older wood shake beneath newer roofing
- Uneven roof surfaces
- Sagging areas
- Previous repairs
- Framing irregularities
- Water-damaged wood
- Areas requiring additional structural preparation
Discovering these conditions does not automatically mean every roof needs extensive structural work. It means a complete tear-off provides an opportunity to identify problems before the new roofing system covers them again.
On this South Pasadena project, that inspection led to new plywood decking and framing improvements that helped create a better foundation and straighter finished roofline.
Roof Replacement for Older Homes in South Pasadena
South Pasadena is known for its established residential neighborhoods and older homes, and those properties can present roofing conditions that aren’t always visible during an exterior inspection.
A home may have gone through several generations of roofing materials and repairs.
When replacing a roof on an older property, Ark Roofing & Construction looks beyond the visible shingles to evaluate the roofing system underneath them.
That can include the condition of the:
- Roof decking
- Framing
- Flashing
- Roof penetrations
- Valleys and transitions
- Low-slope sections
- Underlayment
- Drainage details
This South Pasadena project demonstrates why that approach matters.
What began as a roof replacement also provided an opportunity to remove the old wood shake, install new plywood and correct sagging portions of the roof before installing the finished roofing materials.
The Ark Roofing & Construction Installation Process
1. Roof Inspection & Project Planning
The roof configuration and existing roofing system are evaluated to develop the appropriate replacement plan.
2. Complete Roof Tear-Off
Existing roofing materials are removed so the underlying roof deck and structure can be inspected.
3. Removal of the Old Wood Shake
For this South Pasadena property, the tear-off exposed an older wood shake roofing system beneath the existing shingles. Those materials were removed as part of preparing the roof for its new system.
4. Framing Corrections
Areas of the roof that had sagged were corrected with new framing to improve the roof plane and finished appearance.
5. New Plywood Decking
New plywood decking was installed to provide a solid, consistent surface for the new roofing system.
6. Steep-Slope Roofing Installation
GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles were installed across the home’s pitched roof sections.
7. Low-Slope Roofing Installation
A new torch-down roofing system was installed on the low-slope portion of the property.
8. Final Inspection & Cleanup
The completed roofing system was inspected and the job site cleaned before project completion.
A Cleaner Roofline and Completely Renewed Roofing System
The visual improvement is one of the most noticeable aspects of this project.
Before the replacement, the roof showed its age and included areas where the roof plane had begun to sag.
By addressing the framing and decking before installing the finished roofing materials, Ark Roofing & Construction was able to improve the roofline itself—not simply change the material covering it.
The combination of new plywood, framing corrections, GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles and torch-down roofing gave this South Pasadena home a renewed roofing system from the structure outward.
It is a good example of the difference between simply putting new shingles on a house and approaching a project as a complete roof replacement.
Our fair, hassle-free, and easy process is what sets us apart.
1. On-Site Evaluation Appointment
2. Written Estimate
3. Discounts and Financing
4. Project Started
Roof Replacement in South Pasadena, CA — Frequently Asked Questions
What roofing material was installed on this South Pasadena home?
Ark Roofing & Construction installed GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles on the pitched portions of the home and a new torch-down roofing system on the low-slope roof.
Why was new plywood decking installed?
After removing the existing roofing materials, the project required a new roof deck. New plywood was installed to provide a solid and consistent substrate for the new roofing system.
What was underneath the old shingles?
The existing roof had an older wood shake roof beneath the shingles. The old materials were removed during the tear-off before the new roof deck and roofing system were installed.
Why did Ark Roofing install new framing?
Parts of the existing roof were sagging. New framing was installed where necessary to correct those areas, provide better support for the new plywood and improve the finished appearance of the roofline.
Why wasn’t GAF shingle roofing used on the entire house?
Part of the home has a low-slope roof. Different roof slopes can require different roofing materials, so the steep-slope sections received GAF Timberline HDZ® RS shingles while the low-slope section received a torch-down roofing system.
What is a torch-down roof?
Torch-down roofing is a modified-bitumen roofing system commonly used for flat and low-slope roofs. It provides a continuous roofing membrane suited to roof areas where conventional asphalt shingles may not be appropriate.
Are GAF Timberline HDZ RS shingles suitable for Los Angeles County?
GAF states that Timberline HDZ® RS shingles can be used to comply with applicable California Cool Roof requirements and meet the Green Building Standards Code requirements referenced by GAF for Los Angeles County residential buildings. GAF Documents
Can an old wood shake roof be discovered beneath asphalt shingles?
Yes. Older homes may have previous roofing materials underneath a newer roof covering. A complete tear-off exposes the underlying roof assembly so its condition can be evaluated before a new roofing system is installed.
Does Ark Roofing & Construction provide roof replacement in South Pasadena, CA?
Yes. Ark Roofing & Construction provides residential roof replacement services in Los Angeles County, including projects requiring complete tear-offs, new plywood decking, shingle roofing and low-slope roofing systems.