When to repair, when to replace
- Fabric sagging in the corners or around the sunroof — the foam has failed. Replacement of the material on the original board.
- Stains, water marks, smoke — cleaning rarely works on foam-backed fabric; replacement gives a clean result.
- Torn or scratched fabric — a section cannot be patched invisibly; the whole board is recovered.
- Damaged roof board — cracked or warped boards are repaired or rebuilt before covering.
- Pillars and sun visors — recovered to match so the roof looks like one piece.
When the scope includes adjoining finishes, coordinate Sagging headliner: repair or replacement?, Car Headliner Upholstery, Pillars & Visors, Alcantara interiors: seats, steering wheel, headliner and trim before approving the material and seam layout. This keeps the decisions for individual pieces consistent with the whole interior.
Material options
OEM-style headliner fabric in the factory colour. Alcantara — the choice for sports and luxury cars, in black, grey, tan and custom colours. Leather — for a full-leather cabin or a two-tone roof. Starlight — a fibre-optic star ceiling built into the new headliner. Starlight headliner: a fibre-optic star ceiling for your car
How we do it
Interior trim, grab handles, lights and sensors are removed carefully; the board comes out through a door opening; old fabric and foam are stripped down to clean board; the board is repaired if needed, then covered with new material and pressed around every contour; everything is refitted and tested — lights, sunroof, microphones, airbag trim.
Cost factors
The size and shape of the board (a sunroof and panoramic roof add work), the material (fabric, Alcantara, leather), whether pillars and visors are included, and the condition of the board underneath. Send a photo of the roof and the make and model for an assessment. Car & Boat Upholstery Cost: How We Quote
Serving Miami and Fort Lauderdale from Hollywood, FL
The atelier is at 1716 N Dixie Hwy, Hollywood, FL 33020. Headliner work is one of the fastest ways to make an interior feel new again; owners drive in from Miami, Aventura, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
Use the photo checklist for an upholstery quote to show the full roof, damaged areas and surrounding trim. Contact the Hollywood atelier to discuss inspection and drop-off before making travel or on-site service arrangements.
Separate loose fabric from a water-entry problem
Describe when the sagging started and whether the roof is dry. A stained corner, damp pillar or wet sunroof surround needs a different assessment from dry fabric dropping across the middle of the board. Recovering the board does not resolve a leak. Photograph the stain before cleaning it and explain whether it returns after rain. Any water-entry investigation should be agreed before new upholstery is fitted.
Define the roof parts included in the estimate
A roof board, sliding sunshade, pillars and visors are separate pieces. List each item you want recovered and identify pieces you intend to keep. For a panoramic roof, send one photo with the shade closed and another showing its edge; do not remove it for the enquiry. A shade that binds or fails to move also needs a mechanism assessment. Compare the wider headliner, pillar and visor service when planning a coordinated finish.
Choose a finish against the retained trim
A new black roof can make aged grey pillars more noticeable. Compare a fabric or Alcantara sample beside the visors, grab handles, overhead console and door seals before deciding how much to change. Confirm the material and backing for the actual board contours. If you are considering Alcantara upholstery, include that choice in the initial brief rather than treating every roof material as interchangeable.
Prepare the car for an assessment
Send the make, model, year, roof type and a full view from the rear seat. Add close-ups of the loose edge and any previous staples, pins or glue. Do not push tools behind pillars or disturb airbag covers to take a photograph. Tell us if roof lights, microphones or the sunshade already have a fault, so the existing condition can be recorded separately from the upholstery scope.
