Elmwood, Claremont and the shingled homes the 1923 fire left behind
The 1923 Berkeley fire destroyed roughly 580 to 640 structures, and the Berkeley Public Library's account says over 90 percent of the destroyed buildings were shingled. Most of the burned houses were brown-shingle homes, and many northern lots were rebuilt as single-family houses. That is why the neighborhoods below the hills still read as Craftsman streets, with wood trim and cedar walls that need careful flashing.
Those details drive the roof work. Valleys, dormers and chimney crickets leak long before the field of the roof fails. A leak at a trim board rots the board, so a small repair often saves a larger one. When we do replace, we check layers and decking at the eaves first.
Roofing services for Berkeley homes
- Roof Repair
Brown-shingle homes have valleys and dormers that leak at old flashing, which a targeted repair can fix without replacing the roof, and the wood trim is checked for rot at the same visit.
- Roof Replacement
A hills replacement starts with the parcel's fire zone, and a flats replacement starts with layer count and decking, so the quote names the assembly and what the tear-off turns up.
- Flat Roofing
Rear additions and sun porches on Elmwood and Claremont homes often have low-slope sections separate from the main roof, and that junction is flashed once when both are done together.
- Skylights
Skylights in Craftsman attics leak at the flashing, and on one Alameda job three were resealed instead of replaced, which avoided the cost of new units and a larger roof opening.
- Emergency Roof Repair
A leak above old wood trim does damage quickly, so temporary protection goes on first, the trim damage is photographed, and the real fix follows once the roof is dry.
- Historic Home Roofing
Craftsman and brown-shingle houses near College Avenue are older than most roofs on them, and landmark or historic-district homes can fall under the City's Landmarks Preservation Commission, so the look is checked first.
- Gutters
Wood fascia and Craftsman rafter tails rot when gutters overflow under tree-lined streets, so a gutter replacement tied into new drip edge protects the trim as well as the roof.
Hills, fire zones and the fault along the hill line
The Hayward Fault bisects Berkeley's Hillside Overlay, and the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone sits just west of Grizzly Peak Boulevard according to the City. Parcels in fire zones 2 and 3 must use wildfire-resistant materials and methods under the municipal code. The City of Berkeley also lists a Class A roof as a qualifying improvement for its Home Hardening Rebate, so check the rebate before you buy.
A Class A rating belongs to the assembly, meaning covering and underlayment together. We name the assembly in the quote so you can match it against the City's rule. Our roof replacement page lays out how covering and underlayment pair up.
Getting from Webster St to Berkeley
The office books the visit, and Wayne or Pedro is often the one who inspects. The drive is about 18 minutes in light traffic, and I-80 backups can add a lot.
- We inspect and photograph the roof, with aerial photos for steep sections.
- You receive a detailed written quote, with the permit line stating who files.
- Updates and photos come by text or email during the work.
- A site supervisor leads a walkthrough when the roof is done.
Nearby pages cover Emeryville, Albany, Piedmont, Kensington and El Cerrito.
Reviews and warranty paperwork
You can read all 60 Google reviews behind our 4.9 stars on the reviews page. The warranty terms go in your contract in writing, and you should ask us before you sign.