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But how long will your cedar shake roof actually last? As long as it’s properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.

When should I replace my cedar shake roof?

A well maintained cedar roof can last up to 50 years before needing a complete replacement. This repair and maintenance can involve: patching, applying topical treatments, washing moss off, and installing metal shims. The environment and weather will play a determined role in how well the roof ages through the years.

Are cedar shakes high maintenance?

The biggest issue with cedar shake siding is the amount of maintenance that it requires. Cedar shakes require regular cleaning to keep them free from things like moss, algae, and mold. … Without regular maintenance, shakes will become worn and suffer rot and decay.

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

Severe splitting, curling, and buckling are all signs of a roof in need of serious help—and maybe a complete replacement. These signs typically crop up after serious weather problems, or on roofs that are getting on in years. Dealing with too much water.

How do you maintain a cedar shake roof?

Cedar shingle maintenance must include protective treatments every one to three years. Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade, buckle, rot, and even burn. To protect and preserve your roof, every few years, professionally apply water and fire repellents, fungicides, and algaecides to the shingles.

Do cedar shake roofs leak?

Cedar shakes expand in moist weather and contract in warm weather. Over time, this can cause some of the shakes or the roofing paper underlayment to deteriorate, which may result in a leak. … Minor leaks that show up as small stains or drips can often be fixed in a relatively short time.

How much does it cost to replace a cedar shake roof?

Cedar Shake Roof Cost The average price range to install a 3,000-square foot shake roof is between $18,000 and $20,000, or about $600 to $670 per square. Low cost for installation is around $16,000 and high cost is about $27,000.

Are wood shake roofs repairable?

In general cedar roofs rarely need to be repaired. They are very durable and are not very susceptible to wind, ice or hail damage. … Skylights cause roof leaks quite frequently because often they are installed improperly.

How long do shake roofs last?

But how long will your cedar shake roof actually last? As long as it’s properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.

Are shake roofs good?

Because of the high density and thickness of cedar shakes, they are very resistant to strong winds and durable in hurricanes, heavy rains, hail storms, snowstorms and other severe storms.

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How long do cedar shingles last on a house?

Generally, all sources agree that when a cedar shake roof is properly installed and maintained, a cedar roof life expectancy is around 30 years. Deterioration prevention maintenance needs to be performed every 2 to 4 years for the longest cedar shake roof life possible.

How long does a cedar house last?

Properly maintained, cedar siding may last as long as 75 years and may be pre-stained to add additional weatherproofing.

Can you pressure wash a cedar shake roof?

Cedar shake siding will grow algae and mold if it’s not cleaned once in a while. … Much like a wooden deck, you can use detergents and a pressure washer to blast the grime away and reveal the beautiful cedar color within.

Should cedar shakes be sealed?

No. Never seal your cedar roof. Sealing the roof will lock in moisture that would otherwise naturally evaporate during normal weather conditions. Cedar needs to breathe and thus a water repellant type product, rather than a water proofer is the best route to follow.

How much does a cedar roof cost?

The average roofing installation price for a cedar shingle roof costs anywhere between $7,649 to $11,474 on an 1,800 sq. ft home. You can expect to pay $4.50 to $9.00 per sq. foot or $450 to $900 per square for wood shingles when installed on a standard sized single story home.

Do cedar Roofs need to be treated?

Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade over time, with constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays, the elements, and water, of course. It also means that the cedar shakes can suffer from fungus and algae growth without proper treatment. Most importantly, without treatment, cedar shake shingles can catch on fire.

Is a cedar roof worth it?

Despite being worth more, cedar shingles are a great investment in your home. With a high quality and great looking material, on your roof, your curb appeal with increase. Cedar is highly valued by home value appraisers and future buyers as it is durable, looks great, and lasts longer normal shingles.

Are cedar shakes expensive?

Cedar shake siding costs between $6 and $12 per square foot for materials and installation. Shingle siding costs $6 to $10 per square foot. … While shake and shingle are the most popular, cedar siding comes in many forms.

What is the difference between a cedar shake and shingle?

Appearance – Cedar shingles have a smooth and uniform look that spans the entire roof surface while cedar shakes have a more rugged appearance because each piece looks a little different than the rest. … Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered.

Can cedar shake roofs be repaired?

Cedar shake roofs are well-known for being durable and long-lived. However, even cedar roofs will eventually need repair and replacement. While many cedar shake repairs are simple, they must be performed the right way to be effective and to avoid compromising the roof.

When should a wood shingle roof be replaced?

Look for signs of rot. You may want to replace the entire roofing structure, even if only a small section of your roof has rot, because rot spreads easily. We recommend that you have your wood roof inspected annually by an experienced roofing company, as a trained eye can spot these signs easily.

What can I do with old cedar shakes?

Many local churches, Habitat for Humanity, and worldwide organizations will take your old shakes for a host of projects. You can also use online tools like FreeCycle to unload your roofing materials.

How long will cedar shake siding last?

If well-maintained, cedar shake siding endures the elements well and can last many years. Some manufacturers offer warranties of over 25 years because cedar shake siding can last 20-40 years when well-maintained. However, your cedar shake siding should stay off of the ground to extend its longevity.

Are cedar shake roofs a fire hazard?

One of the most prominent reasons that cedar shake roofs are a thing of the past is that cedar shingles present a fire hazard. … While cedar is highly resistant to threats such as insects and strong winds, it simply doesn’t stand a chance when it comes to lightning strikes.

How long does a 30 year roof really last?

Typically, a 30 – year roof will last on average 12-15 years in more extreme climates, such as we have here in Texas.

Should I replace my cedar shake siding?

White cedar shingles should be replaced roughly every 20 years. There are natural and dipped shingles. Natural shingles are the traditional raw wood, left out to weather shingles. Tom also points out that there are dipped white cedar shingles that are more protected, which means it lasts longer.

Can you shingle over cedar shakes?

The ban on cedar shake shingles in California is an understandable safety precaution. With many areas prone to violent wildfires, it is critical to do everything possible to prevent them. While before, this meant giving up that beautiful, wood shake look, that is no longer the case.

Are cedar shakes hail resistant?

Cedar shakes are more resistant to hail than most other roof coverings used today. Cedar shakes have earned a high impact-UL-2218 rating.

Why are cedar shingles so expensive?

Cedar shakes tend to be thicker (up to 3/4th on an inch in thickness) than wood shingles (up to 1/2 inch thick), and hence also more expensive.

How much does it cost to cedar shingle a house?

The average cost to install cedar shingle siding ranges from $6 to $15 per square foot. You can expect to pay between $10,200 and $24,600 for a licensed contractor to install new cedar shingle siding on a typical house.

Is cedar siding high maintenance?

Cedar siding is unquestionably beautiful, and unbelievably durable. Unfortunately, it is expensive and can be high maintenance. Most people who choose cedar do so for the beauty of the wood, without concern for the expense and maintenance. If you don’t have to worry about the cost of siding, cedar may be your choice.