Roofing Systems

We offer a full range of roofing solutions

Our in-house metal fabrication shop enables custom flashings, full metal roofing systems, and CAD support.

Check out our Service Division to see the extensive maintenance services we offer.

Aerial view of a modern building with a geometric, faceted roof design, featuring a series of triangular and polygonal shapes. The surrounding area includes roads, green spaces, and other buildings.

Low Slope Roofing

  • TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is California’s most widely used membrane roofing system, valued for its cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. TPO reduces heating and cooling demands compared to built-up roofing. Installation options include mechanical attachment, full adhesion, or ballast with river rock or architectural stone.

    Thickness: 45, 60, and 80 mil

    Colors: White, Tan, Gray (custom colors available)

    Manufacturers offer warranties of 10, 20, and 30 years

  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a durable, energy-efficient roofing membrane widely used in California. PVC reduces heating and cooling demands compared to built-up roofing. Installation methods include mechanical attachment, full adhesion, or ballast with river rock or architectural stone.

    Thickness: 45, 60, and 80 mil

    Colors: White, Tan, Gray (custom colors available)

    Manufacturers offer warranties of 10, 20, and 30 years

  • Built-Up Roofing (BUR), or "tar and gravel" roofing, has been used in the U.S. for over a century. Composed of multiple bitumen and felt layers, it creates a durable, water-resistant barrier. Though long popular in California, single-ply systems have recently overtaken BUR in demand.

    BUR can be installed using hot, cold, or torch-down methods, with surfacing options including gravel, slag, mineral granules, cap sheets, hot asphalt, aluminum, or elastomeric coatings. These systems undergo rigorous testing by Underwriters Laboratories and FM Approvals to meet strict fire and wind resistance standards.

Workers installing a metal roof on a building under construction, with a red brick structure and trees in the background, and equipment scattered on the roof surface.

Steep Slope Roofing

  • Asphalt shingles consist of a base material (organic felt or fiberglass) for strength, asphalt and fillers for durability, and mineral granules for UV, impact, and fire resistance. They come in various colors and thicknesses and are available in single-layer or multi-layer (architectural) designs for a dimensional look.

    All shingle roofs require an underlayment, commonly 15lb or 30lb felt paper, installed with roofing nails. Alternatively, fully adhered peel-and-stick options like Ice and Water Shield offer enhanced protection.

    Warranties range from 20 years to a lifetime.

  • Wood shakes and shingles are crafted from cedar, cypress, pine, and redwood. Shakes are split from logs and reshaped, with varying textures and thicknesses, while shingles are uniformly sawn for a consistent taper. "Perfection" and "Royal" denote 18-inch and 24-inch lengths, respectively.

    Cedar shakes and shingles can be pressure-treated with fire retardants and preservatives for enhanced durability. They are installed over asphalt-saturated organic felt underlayment (Type 15 or 30) and secured with non-corroding galvanized or stainless steel nails or metal staples, with at least two fasteners per shake or shingle.

  • Roofing slate is a dense, durable, and nonabsorbent natural material with a unique cleavage that allows it to split easily. Its texture varies based on the rock it is quarried from, ranging from smooth to rough surfaces.

    Slate's color is determined by its mineral composition and can change over time. "Unfading" slate retains its color, while "weathering" slate changes noticeably, with "semi-weathering" falling in between.

    Like all steep-slope roofing, slate requires an underlayment for temporary weather protection during installation and as a secondary moisture barrier. Since slate roofs often outlast their underlayment, the underlayment should have a lifespan comparable to the slate itself.

  • Clay tiles are kiln-fired for strength and available in various styles, colors, and finishes, with installation methods depending on the tile type—two-piece, one-piece, interlocking, or flat. Matching accessory tiles are used for ridges, hips, and gable ends.

    Concrete tiles, made from cement, sand, and water, are molded under high pressure and cured for durability. They often feature interlocking ribs for water resistance and lugs for batten anchoring, with surface colors and textures available.

    Both clay and concrete tile roofs require an underlayment for weather protection, which should have a lifespan comparable to the roof itself.

  • Metal roof systems for steep-slope applications fall into three categories: architectural metal panels, structural metal panels, and metal shingles/shingle panels.

    • Architectural metal panels are designed for steep slopes (≥3:12 or 14°) where water sheds quickly. Their seams are not watertight, requiring solid roof decking and underlayment. A key exception is flat-seamed, soldered, or welded metal roofs (e.g., copper), which can be installed on lower slopes.

    • Structural metal panels are suitable for both steep and low slope roofs due to their watertight, hydrostatic design. They are strong enough to span supporting members and include sealants or anti-capillary features at seams.

    • Metal shingles and shingle panels mimic asphalt, tile, slate, or wood shingles and are press-formed into various shapes.

    Metal roofing is available in a wide range of colors. Underlayment is required to provide temporary weather protection during installation and serve as a secondary moisture barrier.

White commercial rooftop with vents and safety cones

Cool Roofs

  • In 1989, Alliance Roofing installed a groundbreaking hypalon single-ply roof on the San Jose Arena for Perini Building Company, home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. Featuring a highly reflective white surface and over eight inches of insulation, the system significantly reduced energy costs for maintaining the ice rink’s temperature. This project was an early example of what is now known as a Cool Roofing System.

  • A cool roof minimizes heat transfer by reflecting solar energy and radiating absorbed heat, typically using white or light-colored materials.

    Dark roofs can heat up by 50°F (122°C) under full sun, increasing cooling costs. In contrast, cool roofs—such as white membranes, reflective metal, coated, or green roofs—offer significant benefits:

    • Lower heat gain: Cool roofs stay just 5–14°F (10–25°C) above ambient temperature.

    • Energy savings: Reduce air conditioning costs by 15–30% in summer.

    • Extended roof lifespan: Protects the membrane and cooling equipment.

    • Improved insulation efficiency: Reduces heat impact on insulation performance.

    • Lower power demand: Cuts electricity use by up to 10% on hot days.

    • Environmental benefits: Reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

    • Year-round savings: Even in northern climates, cool roofs improve efficiency on sunny days.

Green roof with plants and gravel on a multi-tiered building, clear sky background.

Green Roofs

  • A living roof, or green roof, is a roofing system covered with vegetation and a growing medium over a waterproof membrane. It may also include root barriers, drainage, and irrigation systems. As a type of cool roof, it enhances thermal emittance by radiating absorbed solar energy.

  • Living Roof Benefits

    • Enhances aesthetics & property value

    • Reduces landfill waste by extending membrane & HVAC lifespan

    • Manages stormwater by absorbing & slowing runoff

    • Lowers urban heat island effect by reducing heat absorption

    • Improves air quality by filtering pollutants & lowering emissions

    • Creates usable green spaces for gardens, recreation, & dining

    • Boosts energy efficiency with superior insulation

    • Increases roof durability by shielding against UV & temperature changes

    • Provides fire resistance with a lower burning heat load

    • Supports biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife

Large array of solar panels on a rooftop with hills and clear sky in the background.

Solar Roofs

  • Solar Roofing typically refers to the installation of solar panels on your existing roof system.  There are several important factors that need to be evaluated when you are considering placing solar panels on your roof.

    The first, and most important, is to evaluate the condition of your existing roof, based on the life expectancy of the solar panels. If you are putting on panels that are going to be in place for 10 or 20-plus years, it is prudent to have a roof system in place that will also last that amount of time.  This avoids costly removal and re-installation of the panels when the roof needs to be replaced before the solar warranty expires.

    The second important item is how the solar panels are attached to your roof.  This is often overlooked and/or handled by the solar panel installer. Solar panel installers are not typically roofing experts. These attachments are a vulnerability to the integrity of your roof system.

    There are many products on the market now that allow us to roof in these attachments in a way to protect the integrity of your existing roof. We recommend having a certified roofer install these supports, rather than an electrical or solar contractor.