LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles City Council voted this week to ban new wood shingle roofs, making it the first major U.S. city to outlaw the roofing material that has been blamed for years for fueling fires. The 11-1 vote in favor of the ban came despite fierce opposition from the wood shingle industry, which says the Los Angeles area provides at least 75 percent of its $50 million in annual sales. The city has for several years required wood roofs to be treated with fire-retardant chemicals. But Councilman Hal Bernson proposed they be banned completely after a devastating fire in his San Fernando Valley district last year. "We've had Bel-Air, Baldwin Hills, Chatsworth and Porter Ranch -- all disastrous fires that have been fueled by wood roofs spreading embers from house to house," Bernson said, referring to several Los Angeles communities. The measure bans the use of wood shingle roofs in all new construction and of wood materials in roof replacements, but does not affect existing wood roofs. Michael Westfall, president of the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau trade group, said the ban was a "great injustice to our industry and to the homeowners who prefer attractive, affordable and safe wood roofs." A spokesman for the trade group, which represents 250 manufacturers of roofing products, said that hundreds of workers -- primarily in Washington, Oregon and the western Canadian provinces -- could lose their jobs, and that multimillion-dollar plants constructed to satisfy the demands of Los Angeles home builders for specially treated wood shingles could be closed. Westfall said his group will lobby Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley to veto the measure, which he called "unwarranted and discriminatory." If that fails, he said, the group will sue to overturn the ruling. Westfall said he feared a "spirit of one-upmanship" would spread through California, causing other city and county governments to follow suit. San Clemente is currently the only other city in California with a ban on wood roofs. The vote, the most dramatic in the 30 years of debate over the safety of wood roofs, was a showdown between the Los Angeles Fire Department and the industry. The ruling came after the recent blaze in the unincorporated Puente Hills area east of Los Angeles destroyed 13 homes. Of the 35 buildings damaged in the fire, 13 had wood shingle roofs, nine had composition roofing material, nine metal roofs, three tile and one slate, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said. Fire Department officials have long maintained that wood shake and shingle roofs -- even if treated with fire retardant material -- are extremely dangerous since they tend to catch fire from falling sparks and throw off embers. The city has long required that wood roofs be treated with fire retardant chemicals, but Bernson had proposed that they be banned altogether in the city's so-called mountain fire zones. Three weeks ago, Councilman Marvin Braude, long a proponent of banning wood roofs, surprised the industry by amending Bernson's motion to include the entire city. The industry called on the Canadian consulate to help in its lobbying effort, and the trade group hosted a special test in an effort to demonstrate for city officials how safe their materials are. Council members expressed sympathy for the plight of the industry and bemoaned the economic hardship the ordinance might cause, but the fire department was ultimately able to persuade the council that it knows what is best for Los Angeles. Although wood shingle roofs have been popular in Los Angeles since their introduction in the 1950s -- about 30 percent of all homes in Los Angeles have such roofs, industry officials estimate -- the fire department has long blamed them for boosting the damage toll of periodic brush fires and posing increased danger to lives. Industry officials said the city ordinance would be the most sweeping in the nation. Most jurisdictions with high fire dangers have adopted more limited measures that require shake roofing materials to be treated with fire retardant chemicals.
FAQs
NEW WOOD-SHINGLE ROOFS BANNED IN LOS ANGELES? ›
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles City Council voted this week to ban new wood shingle roofs, making it the first major U.S. city to outlaw the roofing material that has been blamed for years for fueling fires.
Are wood shingles allowed in California? ›California law requires that all wood roofs sold in the state be treated with fire retardant and pass a natural weathering test. The city of Los Angeles bans wood roofs on new homes, and has also pushed the replacement of existing ones, despite advances in flame retardants.
Are cedar shingles legal in California? ›The ban on cedar shake shingles in California is an understandable safety precaution. With many areas prone to violent wildfires, it is critical to do everything possible to prevent them. While before, this meant giving up that beautiful, wood shake look, that is no longer the case.
When did they stop using wood shingles? ›There is a good chance that your historic house originally had a wood-shingled roof. Most houses built in Wisconsin before 1920 had wood-shingled roofs. The most common shingle wood was northern white cedar, logged right in Wisconsin. After 1915, asphalt roof shingles were readily available in many shapes and sizes.
What type of roof is best for Southern California? ›- Asphalt Shingles. Studies show that more than 75% of Americans choose this roofing material because of its low cost, easy installation, and resiliency. ...
- Metal Roofing. ...
- Wood Shingles and Shakes. ...
- Clay Tile and Concrete Tile. ...
- Slate Roofing.
A permit from LADBS is required for any private property construction, alteration, or repair work on buildings within the City of Los Angeles.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof myself in California? ›If minor repairs are made to roofs, it is considered a roof maintenance item and a permit is not required. However; when large sections of roof need to be replaced, it is considered a reroof and a permit is required even though the entire roof is not being reroofed.
What is Cal shake roof? ›10 12 2013 Studio City Cal-Shake Roof - YouTube
Do they still make wood shingles? ›Modern wooden shingles, both sawn and split, continue to be made, but they differ from the historical ones.
Are wood shingles good? ›As a poor conductor of heat, wood is one of the best insulating materials there is. This means you can make your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Wood shakes are also resistant to wind damage, one of the most common problems faced by asphalt shingles.
What is the difference between wood shakes and wood shingles? ›
Wood shingles are sawn on both sides and are thinner at the butt end when compared to a wood shake. Wood shakes are typically sawn on one side and hand split on the other side, making them thicker than wood shingles. Both are wedge shaped and are affixed individually to a roofing deck.
What is the most common roof type in California? ›Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in California, because they offer high-quality, weather-resistance and easy installation at a low price.
What are California roofs called? ›Asphalt is a popular roof material throughout Southern California and beyond. It's an ideal roof material for many homes because it's inexpensive, easy to install, and it's also pretty durable, too. Asphalt shingles are made of fiberglass mat which is saturated with asphalt and coated with colored mineral granules.
What is California roof framing? ›When one roof is framed on top of another, already existing roof, this type of roof framing is sometimes called “California” roof framing. I refer to the roof that is framed first as the “existing roof” and the roof that will be framed on top of it as the “California roof”.
Do I need a permit to reroof my house in Los Angeles County? ›If you are looking to re-roof your home with any of the aforementioned roof coverings, you will need to apply for a structural permit, which is essentially the same as a building permit. The structural permits available at LADBS include: An express permit. Acounter plan check.
Do I need a permit to remodel my bathroom in Los Angeles? ›Permits are required for all aspects of the remodeling of a unit, bathroom, kitchen, common area or exterior of a building. Permits are also required for any installation, replacement, or substantial repair of the Building, Plumbing, Electrical, or Heating system of any building.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Los Angeles? ›As you can see, Los Angeles does require a building permit for decks, so you must take the necessary steps to obtain a building permit prior to starting construction on your property.
How many layers of roof shingles are allowed in California? ›The short answer: two.
How much is a roofing permit in California? ›Roofing Permit Cost
A roofing permit costs $150 to $500 for replacement and $70 to $250 for repairs.
“Southern California requires that it be Class A fire resistant,” he says. As it turns out, metal roofing does not meet that regulation on its own. That's not to say that Southern Californians can't use metal roofing at all just because of its lack of fire resistance.
How long does a Cal shake roof last? ›
Durable and lightweight, these products requires little to no maintenance and are walkable. Some are manufactured to resemble tile or shake with an acrylic bonded stone coated finish. The life span averages 50 years and is environmentally friendly.
How long do composite tile roofs last? ›This type of roofing typically lasts 20 years. However, with the right materials and proper maintenance, composite shingles can last up to 50 years and beyond. Accordingly, many composite roofs carry a warranty of 20 to 50 years, but the warranty length will ultimately depend on the manufacturer.
Are wood shingles waterproof? ›Asphalt shingles are entirely waterproof due to their composition. These shingles don't absorb water and are impervious to it. Wooden shingles, on the other hand, are not waterproof. They'll absorb water due to their porous surface.
What is the difference between cedar shakes and shingles? ›Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered. Lastly, shakes are thicker than shingles. Durability – Generally speaking, cedar shakes are more durable and last longer than shingles because they are thicker and made from premium grade wood.
What wood is best for shingles? ›White oak, black locust, honey locust, redwood, cedar, rock elm, yellow poplar and osage orange all are good shingle or shake wood. There is a shingle oil for treating them, or just plain will work. On wood shingles or shakes, most of the time a third of the wood is exposed, so it takes lots of wood to cover a roof.
Why do beach houses have wood shingles? ›Wooden siding was first employed on coastal houses because it was thought to be the most effective way to protect the building from harsh weather. Wooden siding is regarded as a long-lasting, visually beautiful material that can resist harsh coastal conditions.
Are cedar shingles worth it? ›Cedar is naturally insulating – providing up to twice the insulation as asphalt shingles! You'll be able to conserve heating and cooling energy and save on your bills. Cedar shingles and shakes resist strong winds, heavy rain, hail, snowstorms, and other severe weather.
Are wood shake roofs safe? ›Regardless of the way they are cut (hand split, tapersawn, heavy shakes) if it is a wood-based roofing material, it is a dangerous fire concern for a home. The wood shake shingle industry developed wood roofing materials, which are labeled as 'treated with fire retardant', to meet increased building code requirements.
Are cedar shingles more expensive? ›Asphalt roof cost vs.
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system, so it comes at a premium price. Because of its premium price, a cedar shake roof is going to cost more than a dimensional asphalt roof. You can actually expect to pay more than 3 to 4 times more for a cedar shake roof than the cost of an asphalt roof.
Cedar roofs are always working hard to fight off the elements. The minimum cedar shingle roof life expectancy is 30 years — however, when you regularly maintain it, it can last an astounding 50 years or more. We've even seen some Cedar roofs last over 90 years! Taking care of a cedar roof will ensure it lasts longer.
How long do pine shakes last? ›
On average, through regular maintenance, a cedar or pine shake roof may last 40 to 50 years. Without maintenance, a new shake roof will take approximately 15-20 years before water may begin to penetrate the roofing system.
What is the most inexpensive roofing? ›Asphalt Shingles
That's for good reason. Asphalt is the cheapest of all roofing materials in the market and will last you between 15 to 30 years. This is the best option for homeowners facing budgetary constraints. It is also widely available and comes in a variety of colors.
Due to the materials used in their construction, most asphalt shingle roof assemblies have a Class A fire resistance rating. Fire resistance is based on two test standards: UL 790 and ASTM E 108. There are three levels of fire resistance; Class A is the highest level.
What are California roofs made of? ›Asphalt shingles
It is a common roofing material, and for good reasons. Asphalt is not only highly affordable, but it does a great job protecting your California home from the elements.
Polymer Composite or Synthetic shingles, as they are known, are made from engineered materials and sometimes contain a mixture of recycled plastics and rubber. They come in many different styles and profiles, and are made to replicate the look of traditional asphalt shingles, wood shakes, and stone tiles.
Should you clean concrete tile roofs? ›Most homeowners find it's best to clean a tile roof within five years of its installation, and then every other year or every three years at most, after that. While cleaning a tile roof every other year is often sufficient, your home might need more consistent tile roof cleaning than average for a number of reasons!
What is a California hip roof? ›In the western part of the country, a California Hip system is typically seen in many trussed structures. In this hip system, the hip truss flat top chord is dropped by the plumb cut of the jack top chord at the roof pitch.
Are hurricane ties required in California? ›All new buildings are required to have hurricane ties installed. While not required on older structures, owners of existing buildings would be wise to invest in the installation of hurricane ties and straps.
How do you cut a roof in California? ›California Hip Seat Cut - YouTube