Wood shake roof conversion to Class A roofing in Los Angeles
Wood shakes are no longer allowed on re-roofs anywhere in Los Angeles, and the ones still up are old, dry and a fire risk. We strip them, close in the open skip decking with solid sheathing, and build a Class A roof in the material you choose.
- Answered 24/7
- Class A result
- Skip deck sheathed
Wood shake roof conversion in Los Angeles replaces a shake roof, which the city no longer permits, with a Class A shingle, tile or metal roof. We tear off the shakes, sheath the spaced skip decking underneath with solid plywood, and install the new roof as a complete fire-rated assembly under an LADBS permit.
Updated September 2026
An old shake roof is dry fuel on top of the house
Shakes that looked beautiful decades ago are now split, cupped and bone dry, and a roof of dry cedar catches embers easily. Many shake roofs also sit on skip decking, boards spaced apart so the shakes could breathe, which won't hold modern roofing. That is why conversion is always a tear-off and a new deck, never an overlay.
Most owners convert to architectural shingle, some to concrete tile for a heavier, textured look, and some to metal. Each has different framing and budget needs, and we walk through them on site. Some insurers ask about shake roofs at renewal, so converting can also simplify coverage.
Signs a shake roof is past its life
Split and cracked shakes
Dry cedar splits along the grain and lets water in.
Cupped or curled shakes
Warped shakes lift in wind and expose the layer below.
Moss or dark rot
Decay where shakes stay damp in shade.
Missing shakes
Gaps after wind leave the underlayment exposed.
Daylight through the roof
Skip decking lets light through failed shakes.
Leaks after every storm
Old shake roofs leak in several places at once.
Insurance questions
A carrier asking about roof type is a prompt to plan ahead.
What a shake conversion costs depends on
Conversions are priced like a replacement plus new decking; published LA County figures put most replacements at $10,256-$24,963.
- New roof material
Shingle, tile and metal sit in different price bands.
- Sheathing over skip deck
Every sheet of new plywood is part of the scope.
- Tear-off
Removing shakes and hauling them away starts around $1,000-$3,000.
- Framing for tile
Heavier roofs may need reinforcement.
- Fire-zone assembly
Class A assemblies add about $1-$5 per sq ft.
Shingle, tile or metal after the shakes come off
All three make a Class A roof; they differ in weight, look and price.
| New roof | Published LA range | Weight | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingle | $7-$12 per sq ft installed | Light | Shorter life than tile or metal |
| Concrete tile | $15-$22 per sq ft installed | Heavy; framing check | Higher cost |
| Standing seam metal | $10-$15 per sq ft installed | Light | Higher cost, modern look |
What replaces the shakes, and what goes under it
Shake to Class A shingle conversion
Architectural shingles are the most affordable replacement for shakes, and dimensional styles keep some of the texture people liked about wood. Over new solid sheathing and a fire-rated underlayment, the finished roof is a Class A assembly, with cool-roof shingles where the code requires them. Many homeowners pick a heavier designer shingle for this conversion, since its thicker profile and color blend keep some of the rustic look the shakes gave the house from the street.
Shake to tile conversion
Concrete tile gives a heavier, textured roof that suits many ranch and Spanish-style homes. Tile weighs far more than shakes, so we check the framing first and use lightweight tile or reinforcement where needed, then install battens and tile over the new deck and underlayment. Tile also changes how the roof looks from the street more than shingle does, so we'll show samples on your actual roof before ordering to be sure the color suits the house.
Sheathing over skip decking
Skip decking, boards spaced a few inches apart, was built for shakes. Shingles, tile underlayment and metal all need a solid deck. We nail new plywood over the existing boards or remove them, then install drip edge and underlayment before the new roof goes on. New sheathing also stiffens the roof, which helps the new covering lie flat, and it's the moment to fix any sagging rafters or rotted boards the shakes had been hiding. We price it per sheet.
Brands we install and service
Wood shakes aren't permitted anywhere in Los Angeles because of wildfire risk, and the 2025 CAL FIRE maps kept hillside areas from the Santa Monica Mountains to the San Gabriel foothills inside the very high fire hazard zone. Published figures also put LA re-roofing at about double the national average, which is why we price the new deck and fire-rated underlayment clearly in the scope rather than burying them.
How a shake conversion runs
Roof and attic check
Shake condition, skip deck and framing are checked.
Pick the new roof
Material, color and assembly, in writing.
Permit and tear-off
LADBS permit pulled; shakes stripped as the roof is dried in.
New deck and roof
Plywood over the skip deck, underlayment and new covering.
Inspect and clean
Inspections for the new sheathing, then a magnet sweep.
Shake conversion questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most about this job.
Other ways to reach usSmall repairs are possible, but LA no longer allows shakes on re-roofs, and old shakes keep splitting. Conversion is the long-term fix.
Not immediately, but any re-roof must use a permitted Class A material, and dry shakes are a fire risk.
Architectural shingle over new plywood is usually the most affordable Class A option.
Often, after a framing check. Lightweight tile helps where reinforcement would be costly.
Shakes sat on spaced boards. Modern roofing needs a solid deck to fasten and seal properly.
Usually a few days more than a standard re-roof, because of the new sheathing and its inspection.
It can simplify coverage in fire zones; see our guide to Class A roofs in LA fire zones.
Other roof replacement & installation jobs we handle
Ridge cap and starter systems
Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation.
Permit and inspection handling
Roof Replacement.
Lightweight concrete tile
Concrete Tile Roofing.
Partial section relay
Tile Roof Underlayment Replacement.
Shake-profile stone-coated steel
Stone-Coated Steel Roofing.
