Cedar Shake Roofing

The Warmth of Real Wood Overhead

Cedar shake roofing is one of the most beautiful roofing materials available. The natural grain, varied thickness, and weathering character of cedar give every roof a unique, organic appearance that synthetic materials cannot replicate. Cedar also offers natural insulation — the air pockets in wood shakes reduce heat transfer, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

We install cedar shakes and shingles on homes, lake houses, mountain cabins, and custom builds. Our crews understand the grading standards, fastening patterns, and ventilation requirements that determine whether a cedar roof performs for 30 years or fails in 10.

Cedar Shakes vs. Cedar Shingles

The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are different products.

Feature	Cedar shakes	Cedar shingles
Cut	Split from the log	Sawed smooth on both sides
Texture	Rough, rustic	Smooth, uniform
Thickness	Thicker, heavier	Thinner, lighter
Cost per square	$600 – $950	$400 – $700
Wind resistance	Better — thicker material	Good
Best for	Cabins, lake houses, rustic style	Clean contemporary look

Shakes are the thicker, split product — they have more texture and character. Shingles are sawed smooth for a cleaner, more uniform appearance. Both are graded by quality: Clear, No. 1 Blue Label, and No. 2 Red Label. We recommend Clear or No. 1 Blue Label for roofing — No. 2 is only suitable for walls.

How We Install Cedar Roofing

Cedar roofing requires specific techniques that differ from asphalt shingle installation.

1. Deck preparation — clean, flat substrate; replace any damaged sheathing
2. Underlayment — heavy-duty synthetic underlayment over the entire deck; ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys
3. Starter course — wide-face down, edge flush with the eave, hand-dipped in preservative
4. Fastening — each shake or shingle nailed with two stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails; ring-shank nails preferred for holding power
5. Spacing — keyways (gaps between shakes) staggered course to course to prevent water channels; 3/8-inch gap at end joints for expansion
6. Exposure — 5 inches for shakes, 4 inches for shingles; consistent exposure across the roof
7. Hip and ridge — special ridge shakes set at right angles, nailed through the ridge beam
8. Flashing — copper or lead-coated copper at all penetrations and transitions; aluminum is not compatible with cedar tannins
9. Ventilation — ridge vent and soffit vents balanced for proper airflow; cedar roofs fail prematurely without adequate ventilation

Cedar Roofing Costs

Component	Typical range
Cedar shake system (No. 1 Blue Label)	$15,000 – $30,000
Cedar shingle system (No. 1 Blue Label)	$12,000 – $25,000
Premium clear cedar shakes	$20,000 – $40,000
Fire-retardant treatment	$1,500 – $3,500
Copper flashing	$2,000 – $5,000
Tear-off of old roofing	$2,000 – $5,000

Fire-retardant treatment is required by code in many areas. We apply factory-treated cedar or field-treat on site, depending on your location and building requirements.

How Long Cedar Roofs Last

• No. 1 Blue Label shakes: 30 – 40 years with proper maintenance
• Clear cedar shakes: 40 – 50 years
• Cedar shingles: 25 – 35 years
• With regular maintenance: extended life by 5 to 10 years beyond these ranges

Cedar longevity depends on climate, exposure, ventilation, and maintenance. Homes in dry climates with good airflow see the longest life. Coastal and heavily shaded roofs weather faster.

Maintaining a Cedar Roof

• Remove moss, algae, and lichen growth promptly — these organisms hold moisture against the wood and accelerate decay
• Keep gutters clean so water does not back up onto the eaves
• Trim overhanging branches to reduce debris and shade that promotes moss
• Replace cracked or split shakes immediately — a damaged shake exposes the underlayment
• Apply a borate-based preservative treatment every 3 to 5 years to resist rot and insects
• Avoid pressure washing — high pressure damages the wood fibers; use low-pressure soft washing
• Schedule a professional inspection every two years

Cedar Roofing Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Natural beauty that improves with age — silvery patina develops over time
• Excellent natural insulation — reduces energy costs
• Lightweight compared to tile and slate
• Biodegradable and sustainable — cedar is a renewable resource
• Class A fire rating achievable with factory-applied fire retardant
• Quiet under rain — natural sound dampening

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost than asphalt shingles
• Requires regular maintenance to prevent moss and rot
• Susceptible to insect damage without treatment
• Fire risk without fire-retardant treatment — some insurers require treatment
• Color changes over time — natural weathering produces a silver-gray patina
• Not suitable for very wet or heavily shaded environments without aggressive maintenance

Cedar roofing brings natural warmth to any home. Call us or request a free estimate — we will help you choose between shakes and shingles and give you a detailed quote.

Cedar Shake vs. Cedar Shingle

Feature	Cedar shake	Cedar shingle
Thickness	1/2 to 3/4 inch	1/4 to 3/8 inch
Texture	Rough, split face	Smooth, sawn face
Appearance	Rustic, natural	Refined, uniform
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Cost per square	$600 – $900 installed	$400 – $700 installed
Wind resistance	Better — thicker material	Good with proper fastening
Best for	Traditional, rustic, coastal	Clean, contemporary, colonial

Shakes are split from the log, which preserves the natural wood grain and creates a textured, three-dimensional surface. Shingles are sawn from the log, producing a smooth, uniform face. Both are made from the same Western Red Cedar or Alaskan Yellow Cedar — the difference is the manufacturing method and the resulting appearance.

Cedar Roofing Installation Details

Cedar roofing requires specific installation techniques that differ from asphalt shingles:

• Underlayment — high-temperature ice and water shield at eaves and valleys; synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck
• Fastening — stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails; ring-shank nails for high-wind areas; hand-nailing preferred over pneumatic to prevent splitting
• Starter course — inverted first course or factory starter strips at eaves
• Exposure — 5 to 7 inches for shakes, 4 to 5 inches for shingles; varies by material thickness and local code
• Ridge and hip — split cedar shakes bent over the ridge or factory ridge cap
• Stair-step pattern — offsets maintained to prevent water channels between vertical joints
• Ventilation — cedar roofs perform best with adequate attic ventilation to prevent moisture buildup underneath

Proper installation is critical to cedar roof performance. Cedar is a natural material that expands and contracts with moisture — installation details must accommodate this movement.