If your roof is acting up here on the Kona side, this page covers the services we offer and the most common issues we see. We’re Lava Roofing. A licensed Roofing contractor on the Big Island. We’ve been doing kona roofing services for over 25 years.
Below you’ll find every service we offer in Kona. New installs, reroofs, repairs, coatings, waterproofing, and solar. We service the entire west side of the Big Island, from Kailua-Kona up to Holualoa, down to Captain Cook and Honaunau, and out along the Kohala Coast.
Kona Roofing Services Built For Big Island Weather
Kona side weather is unique to this part of the island. We don’t get the heavy rain Hilo gets. The Kona side gets intense sun year-round. UV that bakes shingles dry. Low humidity that makes wood crack. And then there’s vog. Volcanic gas drifting over from Kilauea. It corrodes metal faster than salt does.
The roofing services in Kona that Big Island homes need is one that handles all of that. Mainland roofers come in and use the wrong materials. Then five years later the homeowner is calling us to redo the whole thing. We see this often on vacation rentals where the prior owner went with the cheapest bid.
Our crews live here. Our crews drive these roads. Holualoa gets the worst vog when the trades stop blowing. The slopes above Kailua-Kona get gusts that flat-roof crews dont plan for.
Waterproofing Company Services
Lots of buildings on the Kona side have flat or low-slope roofs. Resort condos in Keauhou. Commercial buildings along Alii Drive. Some of the older homes up in Holualoa. Lanais and additions. These roofs need different solutions than a regular pitched shingle roof. Coatings, membranes, and full waterproofing systems.
As a waterproofing company, we install:
- Roof coating. Coatings that go over your existing flat roof. They add 10 to 15 years of life. A lot cheaper than a full replacement. They reflect heat too. Important in Kona where the sun is relentless.
- Roof waterproofing. Full membrane systems for serious flat-roof jobs. Long lasting. Handles ponding water without giving out.
- Torch down roofing. Heat-applied modified bitumen. We torch each layer onto the substrate so the seams fuse together. A strong material. Common on commercial buildings.
Roofing Repair Service On Kona
Most homeowners find us because something is already wrong. A leak. A missing tile. A flapping piece of flashing. Whatever it is, our roofing repair service handles it.
A friend of ours in Kainaliu had a tiny drip he ignored for almost a year. By the time he called, the whole corner of his ceiling was sagging. We had to replace half the wood underneath on that side. Don’t let small problems slide. A small repair is cheap. A major reconstruction is not.
The most common issues we fix on the Kona side:
- Roof leak repair. Water shows up inside, but the spot where it’s getting in is almost never right above the stain. Water runs along beams before it drips. We track the source.
- Emergency roof repair. Kona winds rolled through. Now you have a hole or a tarp situation. We do same-day tarping across most of the west side. Call us right away.
- Wind damage. Lifted shingles, bent metal panels, ripped flashing. The slopes above Kailua-Kona get hit hardest.
- Flashing failures. The metal pieces around chimneys, skylights, and vents. When they fail, you get leaks even when the roof itself looks fine.
- Gutter back-ups. Clogged gutters push water under the eaves. The wood rots. Cheaper to clean then replace.
- Rotted wood. When a leak goes unfixed, the wood underneath gets soft. We remove the rotted material and replace it with new sheathing.
Solar Energy Contractor
We’re also a solar energy contractor. Solar panel installation Kona projects are common across the west side of the Big Island. The Kona side gets some of the best sun in the state. HECO rates are high. Solar pays off fast on the dry side. We’ve installed systems on homes and resort properties from Kailua-Kona up to Waikoloa.
But here’s the thing: solar and roofing have to be done together. If you don’t, the costs add up later. If your roof is more than 15 years old and you put solar on it, when the roof eventually fails, you have to pay to take all the panels off, replace the roof, and put the panels back on. Thats often thousands of dollars in extra labor.
If your roof is older, we’ll tell you straight. Sometimes its better to do reroofing first, then solar. We can do both as one project. It saves you the double labor cost. And it means your panels start their life on a brand new roof. Far less hassle in the long run.
New Roof Installation Kona
A new roof install is for new builds, additions, and total tear-offs where there’s nothing worth saving on top. We install across the west side of the Big Island, including new construction up in Kealakekua and out around Captain Cook. We start with a site visit, look at your structure, check the pitch, and pick the right material for where you live. Vog protection up the mountain. Salt protection near the water.
Our kona roofing services team starts every install the same way. We tear off the old roof. We replace any rotten sheathing. We lay underlayment. We install your new roof. We flash all the penetrations. We clean up the site after ourselves. Most single-family homes take 3 to 5 days. We pull permits when Hawaii County requires them. Free written estimate.
Reroofing Kona
Reroofing is when your existing roof is at the end of its service life. The shingles are cracking. The metal is rusting through. Leaks keep coming back in different spots no matter how many times you patch them. Its time for a full replacement. We reroof homes across the west side of the Big Island.
How we do it: tear off the old roof. Inspect the sheathing and rafters. Fix any rot. Install new underlayment and roofing material. Redo the flashing. Replace ridge vents if needed. Usually 2 to 4 days for a typical Kona home. We can usually start within 2 weeks of the deposit. We work around your schedule. We clean up the site every day.
Metal Roofing Installation Kona
Metal is one of the most popular kona roofing services we offer. Its the strongest option for the Kona side. It handles vog corrosion when you pick the right alloy. It reflects sun so your house stays cooler. It lasts 50+ years if installed right. Standing seam, corrugated, and Bermuda style are the popular profiles here. We install metal roofs everywhere from Honaunau and Captain Cook up to the resort properties around Waikoloa.
We install with hidden fasteners where possible, which keeps the look clean and reduces future maintenance.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Kona
Asphalt shingle is the affordable classic. Quick to install, easy to repair, and the materials are easy to source. We install architectural shingles rated for high wind so they hold up when Kona winds come through. Most last 18 to 25 years on the Kona side. Asphalt is common on residential homes from Holualoa down to Captain Cook.
The downside on the dry side: UV cooks shingles faster than it does on the windward side of the islands. Vog can also dry them out. We use shingles with strong UV resistance, and we install them with proper underlayment so they last as long as theyre supposed to. Asphalt shingle is a strong choice if your watching the budget.
Composite Roofing Kona
Composite roofing looks like slate or wood shake, but it holds up far better in our climate. No rot. No splitting. No salt damage. The up-front cost is higher than asphalt or metal. The lifespan is 40+ years. The look fits plantation-style homes up in Holualoa, condos in Keauhou, and high-end beachfront builds along the Kohala Coast.
We install composite over a synthetic underlayment with all the right flashing details. Each tile interlocks so wind cant lift them. Most major manufacturers offer 30 to 50 year warranties. If you want premium curb appeal that holds up to our climate, composite is the right choice.
Thatched Roofing Kona
Thatched roofs give you the authentic Hawaiian aesthetic. We do them on resort property up in Waikoloa, lanais, tiki bars, vacation rentals, and the occasional residential project. We’re one of the few crews on the Big Island that still does it traditional. The look is authentic. The structure underneath holds up because we install waterproof underlayment beneath the visible layer.
A well-built thatched roof lasts 15 to 25 years, depending on exposure and how much weather it sees. We can also do hybrid systems where the visible layer is thatched and the actual waterproofing is a modern membrane. You get the authentic look with modern weather protection. Common for high-end vacation rentals along the Kona coast.
Torch Down Roofing Kona
Torch down is a heat-applied modified bitumen membrane. We torch each layer onto the substrate so the seams fuse together. A strong material. Its the right choice for serious flat-roof jobs where coatings cant handle the job anymore. Common on commercial buildings around Keauhou and the Waikoloa resort area, and on older flat-roof homes that need a real waterproofing solution.
A properly installed torch down roof lasts 15 to 20 years. We use multi-ply systems for added strength and redundancy. Prep is critical, same as with coatings. We tear off whats failing, dry the substrate if its wet, install a base sheet, and torch each membrane layer in sequence. Installed correctly the first time.
25+ years on the islands.
Licensed (CT-39063). Insured. Local crews. Free written estimates everywhere from Kailua-Kona to the Kohala Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new roof cost in Kona?
A typical 2,000 sq ft single-story home runs $20,000 to $38,000, depending on materials, pitch, and any existing roof damage we find during tear-off. We provide free written estimates so you get an actual number for your house, not a range.
How long does a roof last on the Kona side?
Asphalt shingle: 18 to 25 years if installed right, less if vog gets to it. Metal (aluminum or coated steel): 40 to 50+ years. Tile or composite: 40+ years. Flat roofs with a fresh coating: 10 to 15 more years per recoat. Salt and vog can shave a few years off whatever the manufacturer rates the material for.
Do you do emergency roof repair in Kailua-Kona?
Yes. We do same-day tarping across the west side of the Big Island when crews are available. Call (808) 746-2314 right after a storm hits. The faster we get a tarp up, the less interior damage you’re dealing with.
Should I repair or replace my roof?
If less than 25% of the roof is damaged and its under 15 years old, repair is usually the right call. If it’s older than that, or the leaks keep coming back in different spots, your at the end of its service life and reroofing makes more sense. We’ll tell you straight which option fits your situation.
Do you do solar panel installation too?
Yes. We’re a solar energy contractor and a roofing contractor. The advantage is we coordinate both. If your roof needs replacing in the next 5 years, we’ll recommend doing that first, then solar. It saves you the cost of removing and reinstalling panels later.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Hawaii contractors license CT-39063, fully insured. Every kona roofing services job we do is backed by both. We can send you proof before any work starts.
