Cedar Roofing FAQs

We know you have questions about cedar roofing. Please visit our cedar roofing (FAQ’s) frequently asked questions section for the most accurate answers.

What is a cedar roof?

Cedar wood shingles and shakes are also resistant to strong winds and are durable in extreme weather like, heavy rains, hail storms, snowstorms and other types of severe storms. Cedar wood roofs are also energy efficient, providing a natural insulation up to two times that of asphalt shingles.

Cedar refers to wood from a dozen or more different trees which are grown across the globe. Cedar woods are resistant to strong winds and are durable in extreme weather like, heavy rains, hail storms, snowstorms etc. Cedar wood roofs are energy efficient that provides a natural insulation up to 2 times that of asphalt shingles.Cedar siding is the most beautiful choice among wood siding options.  Its colors and scent can’t be imitated by other types of siding.

How long does a cedar roof last?

20 to 30 years is the average length of time In most homes, the average life expectancy of a cedar shake roof will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 30 years. This can be slightly longer than asphalt shingles, but this will vary based on factors such as climate and the presence of overhanging trees. 

When should I replace my cedar shake roof?

If one or more of the shingles or shakes on your cedar roof are showing any of these signs, it’s time to swap them out for new ones. Splitting – If the split has rounded edges and the interior is a dull orange or grayish color, then it’s a result of natural weathering.

Are cedar shake roofs good?

Cedar shakes are attractive, durable and resistant to insect activity. They typically last longer than shingles and many other types of roofing. They can be expected to last for between 20 and 30 years. Cedar shakes also have natural insulating properties.

Are cedar shingles durable?

Cedar has natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, allowing you to leave the wood untreated without worry of excess warping, rotting and cracking. It does weather though, changing color throughout time.

Can you walk on a cedar shake roof?

You can damage your cedar shake roof and the structure supporting it if you walk on your shake roof. Individual shake planks may crack or split, particularly around the nails. If a crack or split is minor, it should not cause a problem; but large cracks or splits may allow moisture to penetrate, resulting in a leak.

Do cedar shingles need to be treated?

No, the natural preservatives of cedar protect our shingles from ravages of fungi, humidity, and insects. They are often left natural and turn silver gray with time. However, they can be treated with preservatives or stains to achieve a different visual effect.

How do I know if my cedar shake roof is bad?

One of the most frequent problems caused by old or damaged cedar shake roofs is leaking….rot, moss, or algae frayed or split bottom edges. Fuzzy or furry textures on the edges or between the cracks of the shakes.Streaky or discolored appearances on the shakes or on the walls of the house below them.

How much does cedar roof cost?

The average roofing installation price for a cedar shingle roof costs anywhere between $14,000 to $25,000 depending on the slope, pitch, and size of your roof. You can expect to pay $4.50 to $9.00 per sq. foot or $450 to $900 per square installed on a standard sized single story home.

What is the difference between cedar shakes and cedar shingles?

Cedar shakes differ from cedar shingles in that traditionally, they are hand split from a block, while shingles are generally milled with a saw. Cedar shakes are thicker, more irregular and create a charming rustic appearance.

Are cedar shingles waterproof?

Cedar wood shingles are prone to mold, mildew, and insects. It is important to note that the wood on a cedar roof is not intended to be waterproof, and is therefore quite susceptible to wind-driven rain. Any natural product exposed to water is vulnerable to mold, mildew and erosion.

How do you apply cedar shingles?

Install spaced sheathing. Cedar shingles must always be nailed to sheathing for ventilation. Install drip edge and valley flashing material.Install a starter course at the eaves of the roof, allowing a 4 cm (11/2 in.) Install the first course of wood shingles on top of the starter course.

Are cedar shake roofs a fire hazard?

There are no products out there that we believe work in a retrofit application. In other words, if the roof is already installed, there’s nothing you can spray or brush on that will make it fire resistant. But if you’re planning to install a new shake roof, there are pressure-treated shakes that are fire-rated.

Roofing systems are fire-rated either A, B, C or not ratable, with A the highest rating, or most fire resistant. Fire ratings are determined by literally trying to set the materials on fire in a laboratory. A mockup of a roof structure is built and a burning piece of wood called a “brand,” is ignited and placed on top of the roof to be tested. The larger the brand, the higher the rating.

Today, there are cedar roof shingles and shakes available that have been pressure-treated with fire-resistant chemicals at the factory and can achieve a class B or C fire resistance rating. This is accomplished by placing the shakes in pressurized treatment cylinders where fire retardants are injected into the inner cells of the wood. The shakes then go through a polymerization process and the fire retardants are locked into the wood. Used in conjunction with a fire-resistant substrate, this material can attain a class A rating.

Should you seal a cedar shake roof?

Sealing of cedar/redwood roofs should never be done as this will keep the shakes from getting the air they need to stay dry.

Do all exterior wood surfaces, even cedar and redwood, need regular upkeep and treatment?

Yes. While some types of wood are more resistant to decay than others, the natural resins in all types begin to degrade after time. This leaves the wood prone to moisture, warping and splitting, moss and mildew formation and especially vulnerable to the damaging impacts of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

How about wood pressure-treated at the factory, does it need treatment?

Again, yes. Wood that is factory treated with chromated copper arsonate (CCA), has integrated insect and degeneration protection, however not defense versus the effects of water, sunlight, mildew and other aspects of weathering and wear. Identifiable by its familiar green to light brown appearance, a lot of consumers understand that the aesthetic appearance of pressure treated wood is just as vital as long-term structural integrity.

When dealing with exterior wood– whether a deck, fence or roofing system– isn’t really a common water sealant enough?

The response is normally no. Water sealers provide short-term wetness defense just. For long-lasting defense, a wider based protective treatment is required. Ideally, that treatment needs to replenish the wood’s natural resins and invigorate its interior properties, consist of a moss and mildew retardant and, extremely important, an effective ultraviolet light inhibitor. Consider, too, in the case of fence and roofing system treatments, the desirability of a color enhance to return the wood to its initial, natural look.

Are single application treatments readily available which contain all these protective features?

Yes. The following list will inform you exactly what to search for when selecting these treatments. Make certain the product is environmentally friendly. Make certain the treatment consists of natural resins to permeate and renew natural wood oils. Make sure the treatment consists of a repellent to seal out rain and other kinds of moisture, however still permits the wood to “breathe”, so its protective shield will not break, peel or blister. Make sure the treatment includes a light pigmentation that will bring back the wood surface area to its initial natural color.

Precisely what is implied by “eco-friendly”?

There are basically two types of outside cedar roofing preservation treatments readily available today, those that are possibly hazardous to the environment– consisting of a hydrocarbon solvent base– and a brand-new generation of treatments which contain little or no such solvents and present no threat.

Exactly when should a brand-new roofing first be alleviated?

New roofs, whether constructed from pressure-treated or non-treated lumber, the wood should be allowed to dry for roughly 9 months before the very first application.

How frequently should treatment be reapplied?

For maximum upkeep and maximum extension of the Cedar roofing life, roofs and fences should be retreated every 3 to 5 years. Decks, with flat surfaces that hold water longer, should be pulled back yearly.

How about older wood structures currently presenting to signs of wear and tear, is it still worth it to alleviate them.

In most cases, the response is yes. If you have any concerns about the wood’s structural stability or staying service life, seek advice from an Expert Specialist or Wood Treatment Applicator. The corrective buildings of lots of modern wood treatments, integrated with the other maintenance actions outlined elsewhere on this website, can revitalize even seriously deteriorating outside wood structures, extending their natural life span and significantly enhancing their appearance. With the high cost of lumber today that makes good economic sense, and with the diminishing world forestlands, it makes outstanding ecological sense.

Do you provide roofing system cleaning for asphalt roofing?

Yes we do! We have performed work for over 6000+ Chicagoland area homeowners since 2003.