What Is a Cedar Shake Roof and How Does It Protect Your Home?
A cedar shake roof is a premium, natural roofing system crafted from split cedar logs that provides exceptional structural strength, natural insulation, and a highly distinctive architectural style. For centuries, homeowners across North America have chosen wood shakes to protect their properties while significantly elevating curb appeal.
Whether you own a historic property that needs a faithful restoration or a modern home looking for a warm, organic accent, a cedar roof provides an environmentally friendly option that actually ages beautifully over time.
At Warner Roofing, we believe that a stable, durable roofing system is the centerpiece of a well-functioning home. When you choose a wood roof, you are choosing a system that combines historic craftsmanship with modern protective engineering.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing Cedar Shakes?What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing Cedar Shakes?
Investing in a premium roof is a major financial and architectural decision. To make the best choice for your property, it helps to weigh the practical benefits against the unique care requirements of natural wood. Cedar has distinct physical properties that set it apart from standard asphalt shingles or metal roofing systems.
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When you want a roof done right, you call Warner Roofing. We specialize in durable, long-lasting systems engineered for our local climate.
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The Benefits of a Premium Wood Roof System
- Excellent Natural Insulation: Wood is a natural insulator because of its unique cellular structure. Installing cedar shakes helps create a thermal barrier over your home, keeping your living spaces cooler during hot summer months and trapping heat in the winter. This natural efficiency can lead to noticeable savings on your monthly heating and cooling costs.
- Superior Storm and Wind Resistance: Cedar shakes are incredibly strong and resilient. Unlike manufactured shingles that can crack or lift, wood shakes are structurally rigid and naturally resist heavy winds. They are strong enough to withstand severe storms, making them an excellent choice for long term protection against the elements.
- Unmatched Architectural Aesthetic: The rustic, deeply textured look of an authentic wood roof cannot be perfectly replicated by synthetic alternatives. As the cedar shakes age, they transition from a warm, golden-amber hue into a highly desirable, classic silvery-gray patina that adds timeless character to your exterior.
- Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Wood shakes are sourced from natural, renewable resources, making them an environmentally sound choice. They have a much lower manufacturing footprint than petroleum-based asphalt options, and they are completely biodegradable at the end of their usable lifespan.
Cedar shakes require a higher upfront investment than standard asphalt shingles due to the cost of premium natural wood and specialized craftsman labor. And because cedar is organic, it demands routine maintenance. To protect your investment and ensure a long term lifespan, the roof must be kept clear of leaves, debris, and moss that can trap moisture and accelerate decay.
What Is the Complete Step-by-Step Cedar Shake Installation Process?
The cedar shake installation process requires a high level of specialized training because no two hand-split shingles are identical. Unlike uniform factory shingles, every single piece of wood must be hand-selected and precisely placed by an experienced craftsman. At Warner Roofing, our teams follow a rigorous, proven protocol to protect your home throughout the build.
Step 1: Complete Tear-Off and Decking Inspection
We always begin by removing all old roofing down to the bare wood deck. We inspect the underlying plywood or spaced sheathing to ensure the structural foundation of your roof is completely sound, dry, and free of rot.
Step 2: Laying the Protective Underlayment
Before a single piece of wood goes down, we install a high-quality, breathable underlayment system. This layer acts as a secondary moisture barrier, protecting your home’s interior from wind-driven rain while still allowing the cedar shakes above to dry properly from beneath.
Step 3: Precise Shake Layout and Interlayment
Because hand-split shakes have unique variations in thickness and width, our craftsmen hand-select each piece to ensure proper alignment. We weave specialized layers of roofing felt between each row of shakes, a process known as interlayment. This step is critical because it prevents water from seeping through the natural gaps and vertical joints between the individual shakes.
Step 4: Secure Fastening and Proper Spacing
Wood naturally expands when it absorbs moisture and contracts as it dries out in the sun. To accommodate this natural movement, our team leaves precise gaps between each shake. We use only high-grade, corrosion-resistant fasteners, such as hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails, to secure the shakes. This attention to detail guarantees that your roof will remain secure and structurally stable for decades to come.
Why Clark County Homeowners Trust Warner Roofing with Cedar Projects
Warner Roofing has been installing roofing systems, re-roofing homes, and servicing gutters and skylights throughout the Clark County area since 1992. As a locally owned and operated company, we thoroughly understand the specific weather patterns, heavy seasonal rainfall, and damp microclimates of the Pacific Northwest.
We know exactly what it takes to build a roof that handles our regional environment without failing.
Our reputation is our livelihood, and the pride we have in our name and our work shows on every job, big or small. Our team of craftsmen goes through rigorous training with all types of roofing products so that our customers can count on a flawless roof and exceptional service for years and years to come.
We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, giving you complete peace of mind. We also promise to leave the surrounding area just as clean as it was when we first arrived on the job site, clearing away all debris and stray nails.
Let's Discuss Your Roofing Goals
Choosing the right roof is all about finding the perfect fit for your home, your aesthetic preferences, and your budget. The team at Warner Roofing is here to help guide you through your choices without any high-pressure sales pitches or stressful obligations.
We view every home improvement project as a long-term collaboration, and we want to ensure you feel completely educated and comfortable with your decision. We are always ready to chat about your goals, answer your structural questions, and arrange a convenient time for a straightforward, collaborative home estimate.
Explore past roofing projects completed across Vancouver and the Portland metro. See how our craftsmanship improves curb appeal and protects homes in every season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a cedar shake roof last in the Pacific Northwest?
With professional installation and routine maintenance, a high-quality cedar roof can last nearly 30 years in our region. To maximize this timeline, it is essential to keep the roof clear of organic debris and maintain proper attic ventilation, which allows the wood to dry completely after heavy rainstorms.
What is the difference between cedar shingles and cedar shakes?
The primary difference lies in how they are manufactured and their final appearance. Cedar shakes are typically hand-split from wood blocks, giving them a thick, rough, and highly textured face that creates a rustic, traditional look. Cedar shingles are sawn smoothly on both sides, resulting in a uniform, thin, and tailored appearance suited for contemporary homes.
How do you prevent moss and mold growth on a cedar roof?
We recommend simple, low-pressure cleanings every few years to remove accumulated leaves, twigs, and pine needles that retain water. Additionally, we can install zinc or copper flashing strips near the roof ridge. When it rains, these metals release natural ions that safely wash down the roof, discouraging moss, algae, and mold from taking root on the wood.
Can you install cedar shakes over existing asphalt shingles?
No, we do not recommend installing new wood shakes over old roofing materials. Cedar shakes absolutely require a flat, smooth, and clean deck surface to ensure proper alignment, flashing performance, and ventilation. Warner Roofing always performs a complete tear-off of the old roof to inspect the structure and build the new system correctly from the base up.
Are wood shakes treated to resist fire and decay?
Yes, modern cedar shakes are available with specialized factory treatments. You can choose fire-retardant treated shakes to improve your home's safety rating, or pressure-treated preservative shakes that provide enhanced resistance against fungal decay and insect damage, which is highly beneficial in damp climates.