In the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires, rebuilding efforts throughout Altadena focused on more than simply replacing what was lost. Homeowners, builders, and roofing professionals sought opportunities to create safer, more resilient homes designed to better withstand future wildfire threats.
Working across 24 residences within an Altadena neighborhood, PLC Communities selected Polyanchor® XFR from Polyglass to help support fire-hardened construction practices while maintaining installation efficiency. The project team sought a roofing solution capable of meeting modern fire-performance requirements while helping families return to stronger, better-protected homes.
Located within California’s Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), Altadena faces heightened wildfire risk due to its proximity to natural vegetation and exposure to seasonal Santa Ana winds. Following the Eaton Fire, rebuilding efforts placed renewed emphasis on construction materials and roofing systems designed to improve ember resistance and support long-term community resilience.
“The previous homes were not constructed to withstand fire,” said Polyglass’s Rita Torres, Residential Architect Specialist, National Business Development – WUI Code. While there were many reasons the homes burned, she noted, one of the reasons was the felt underlayment. “When the embers came blowing through the community, many got under the roof tile and burned the felt paper, then the plywood deck,” she said.
To ward against this possibility while also building homes that meet the current California code requirements for ember-resistant roofing, PLC turned to Polyglass USA’s patented Burn-Shield Technology® for its superior ember resistance. All 24 homes were built using fire-rated Polyanchor XFR underlayment, topped with a slip-resistant walking surface that adds to the roof’s overall ember resistance.
After the Eaton fire, the state adopted stricter building codes for neighborhoods located near wildlands. Because the new code required the use of approved materials to cover the wooden deck supporting the roof, the roofs were built using concrete tiles to protect the deck from windblown embers. Polyanchor XFR was designed to be ideally suited for attaching under concrete tile roof covering systems. Its single-layer underlayment also allowed for a quicker installment, which resulted in significant time savings for the roofers.
Additional benefits include:
- Fiberglass mat that provides increased strength and fire resistance.
- Mineral aggregate surface engineered for superior slip resistance.
- A modified asphalt compound that provides a water-resistant barrier.
Today, the new homes are more fire-resistant than ever before, with roofs that meet California code requirements for ember resistance. Homeowners within this idyllic gated community can enjoy their breathtaking views and proximity to nature while sleeping easier at night knowing their roofs are protected against stray embers borne on the Santa Ana winds.
By the Numbers
Location
24 homes in Altadena, California
Size
83,000 sq. ft.
Product Spotlight
A fire-rated dual purpose ember and water resistant underlayment featuring a plastomeric modified bitumen upper compound and a self-sealing modified compound on the bottom, ideally suited for mechanically attaching under clay/concrete tile roof covering system where ember resistance is required or desired. Its slip-resistant embedded mineral aggregate walking surface contributes to the overall ember resistance of the membrane.
