Is it time for a roof replacement? Are you considering a cedar shake roof?
Cedar shake roofing is one of the best-looking roofing materials available. However, there are different grades of cedar shingles.
The grade you choose greatly impacts lifespan, wear and tear, and the overall look. And with the investment a cedar shake roof requires, you need to be 100% confident you choose the right one.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has given homeowners the power to make the best decisions with honest information. So, let’s break down what you need to know about the grades of cedar shake shingles.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn:
- The three grades of shingles and their differences
- 6 more things to consider before getting a cedar shake roof
What are the different grades of cedar shake shingles?
To make cedar shake shingles, large cedar trees are cut into 2-foot sections and either hand-split or sawed into a tapered thickness (tapersawn). Hand split gives you a more rugged look, while tapersawn is a much smoother look.
But no matter how they’re cut, the specific grade determines the quality of the shingle itself. With that in mind, there are 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles: common, selects, and 100% straight grain.
Let’s look at each of the grades and what makes them different.
Common
Common grade is the cheapest and most inferior of the 3 types. They’re randomly cut and made out of any part of the tree (basically the leftovers of other cuts). These cedar shake shingles will be the first ones to split and warp.
Select
The next grade of cedar shake shingle is selects. These shingles will be a mix of the 2 other types of grades, somewhere around 80% straight grain and 20% commons. Your local roofing contractor should go through the selects to find the best quality cedar shingles to install on your roof.
100% straight grain
The third and best quality grade of cedar shake shingles is 100% straight grain. Each one of these is hand-selected and straight grained.
When the grain is straight, the shingles lay flat, and you don’t have to worry about them curling up. A cedar shake roof with 100% straight grain grade shingles will always last longer than one with inferior cuts.
That’s why I recommend spending the extra money by going with the 100% straight grain grade cedar shingles to maximize your new roof.
6 more things to consider before getting a cedar shake roof
Now you know the three grades of cedar shake shingles. Remember, I recommend 100% straight grain, especially with how much you’ll spend.
However, this isn’t the only information you need before investing in a cedar shake roof. Let’s look at the six things every homeowner needs to know and consider about cedar shake roofing.
1. A cedar shake roof is better for certain climates
A cedar shake roof’s lifespan is greatly impacted by climate. Cedar shake shingles don’t last as long in a very moist or dry climate, so it’s better for areas in between.
In extreme heat, cedar dries out quicker, which leads to splits and cracks. In a very humid climate, the shingles absorb and hold excess moisture, which shortens their lifespan.
Our area in Nashville, Tennessee, is great for a cedar shake roof. But I wouldn't recommend it in areas where the climate is very moist or dry for most of the year.
2. Cedar shake roofing has high curb appeal
A cedar shake roof has one of the highest curb appeal in the residential roofing industry. Looks are subjective, but a cedar shake roof is guaranteed to stand out compared to most other roofing materials.
Keep in mind the look doesn’t fit every homeowner's style or the home itself. Also, the fresh look won’t stay forever (more on this next).
No matter what, a cedar shake roof will always have a high curb appeal. It’s just up to your personal preferences whether you like the look or not.
3. Cedar shakes fade and crack over time
As I said, a cedar shake roof won’t keep the fresh look forever. As the years pass, wear and tear turns a cedar shake roof’s original bright coloration to a darkish-brown.
The cedar can also eventually warp and crack, especially if you got a lower grade shingle. Some homeowners don’t know this, but it’s crucial to think about how you’ll like the look once the wear and tear starts showing.
An aged cedar shake roof still provides high curb appeal on cottage, brick, and stone homes. However, you should consider another roofing material if you don’t like the aged look.
4. How long a cedar shake roof lasts
As long as it’s properly installed and with routine maintenance, a cedar shake roof should last 30 years. If you invest in top-quality materials and your area has the right climate, it could possibly get up to 40 to 50 years.
Keep in mind that there are many things that ultimately determine how long a roof lasts. The main one is installation quality, but the shingle grade you choose also greatly impacts the lifespan.
However, things like maintenance, the direction the roof faces, storm damage, and others also play a role in how long a cedar shake roof lasts.
5. The warranties that come with a cedar shake roof
A new roof comes with two types of warranties, one on the workmanship and another on the materials. Because cedar shake shingles are naturally made, there’s usually no manufacturer warranty on the materials.
However, this varies by location and the specific manufacturer. So, you’ll have to rely on your roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty if your cedar shake roof has problems after installation.
That’s why it’s crucial to hire a local roofing contractor with experience installing cedar shakes and who stands behind their work for at least 10 years.
6. How much a cedar shake roof costs
For tear-off and installation, a cedar shake roof costs around $20.00 to $30.00 per square foot. The labor (and time) required to install cedar shakes is very intensive and expensive, plus metal flashing is needed in valleys because the wood can’t fold to form a watertight seal.
However, other cost factors based on your roof and the specific roofing contractor you hire also impact the price, including things like:
- The rest of the roof system’s materials
- Your roof’s accessibility
- The number of penetrations your roof has
- Your roof’s size, pitch, and complexity
- The amount of decking that gets replaced
- Dump fees
- Operating costs
- Upgrading metal flashing to copper (if applicable)
At the end of the day, a cedar shake roof is one of the most expensive materials in residential roofing. However, you won’t know how much your cedar shake roof will cost until after getting an estimate from a local roofer.
How does natural cedar shake compare to synthetic cedar shake?
After reading this article, you know the difference between the three grades and what to consider before investing in a cedar shake roof. Unfortunately, cedar shake roofing isn’t a great fit for most homeowners.
This could be due to pricing or not liking the worn look, but it’s considered a premium material for a reason. However, the roofing industry has created synthetic shingles as an alternative to natural cedar shakes without some of the same drawbacks.
But you won’t decide if they’re right for you without knowing how the two roofing materials compare. That’s why I wrote another article breaking it down.
Check out Natural Cedar Shake vs. Synthetic Cedar Shake: Which is Right for You to learn how synthetic cedar shake shingles compare to natural cedar shakes.
