Are you ready for a new roof? Are you looking to upgrade to something different than the standard asphalt roof? If so, you’re probably considering a beautiful cedar shake roof.
But before signing on the dotted line for your new roof, you need to know how long a cedar shake roof will last. Luckily, we’re here to help.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services in the Nashville area since 1990. We know what it takes to give you a new roof that’ll last for decades. When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.
So, how long will a cedar shake roof actually last? Always eager to answer crucial questions about your roof investment, I’m going to answer that question and more.
Continue reading to learn how long a cedar shake roof will actually last and what factors into the lifespan.
How long will a cedar shake roof actually last?
When investing in a new roof, you’re expecting to get as many years out of it as possible. This is especially true when investing in a new cedar shake roof.
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.
Be aware, cedar shake shingles are naturally made, so there’s no manufacturer warranty on the materials if they fail prematurely. This leaves you with only your roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty to rely on if there’s ever a problem with your cedar shake roof.
To get the best roof possible, you should always look for a contractor that offers you a lifetime warranty.
4 factors that affect the life of your cedar shake roof
Now that you know how long your new cedar shake roof will actually last, you need to know what affects the lifespan. Continue reading to learn the 4 factors that affect the life of your cedar shake roof.
1. The grade of your cedar shake shingles
There are 3 grades of cedar shake shingles, common, selects, and 100% straight grain. The better the quality (grade) of the materials, the more life you’ll get out of your roof.
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.
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 roofing contractor should go through the selects to find the best quality cedar shingles to install on your roof.
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.
To truly maximize the life of your new cedar shake roof, I recommend spending the extra little bit of money and go with the 100% straight grain grade cedar shingles.
2. The climate and weather of your area
The climate of your area has a major influence on your cedar shake roof. A very moist or dry climate will shorten the life of your cedar shake shingles.
Damage from moisture or high heat won’t have an immediate effect, but you won’t get the most out of your investment. If you want a cedar shake roof, the climate in your area should be somewhere in between.
Another thing that affects the life of your cedar shake roof is weather. Every roof goes through wear and tear from the weather throughout its life. The amount of rain and extreme weather your area gets will determine how fast the wear and tear affects your cedar shake roof.
If you live in an area with strong storms or tornados, there’s always a possibility for your roof to be damaged. This means you’ll have to rely on your homeowner’s insurance to fix your storm damaged roof.
3. Hiring a high-quality roofing contractor to install your cedar shake roof
Hiring a local reputable roofing contractor is crucial to your roof investment. When your cedar shake roof is installed properly, you’re going to get as close to the maximum lifespan as possible.
That makes hiring a roofing contractor that has a strong cedar shake installation history that much more important. If they don’t use correct roofing techniques, your new roof’s life will be cut short and you’ll need a roof replacement well before it’s time.
No matter if you need repairs or a full roof replacement, your contractor plays a huge role in the life you get out of your cedar shake roof. A history of proper roof installation isn’t the only thing you need to look for when hiring a local roofing contractor.
To help you find a great roofing contractor in your area, read this article on the top 8 questions to ask a roofing contractor.
4. Getting regular roof maintenance on your cedar shake roof
No matter what kind of roof you have or how old it is, you need to have it maintained. The same goes for your new cedar shake roof. It’s crucial to have it periodically checked over.
Whether it’s once or twice a year, regular roof maintenance ensures you get the most life out of your cedar shake roof. It will catch any problems with your wooden shingles and prevent future leaks before they can cause damage to your home.
It’s also a chance to clear your roof and gutters of any debris. Wet debris sitting on your cedar shake roof will shorten the lifespan of your cedar shingles. Because of this, it’s absolutely crucial to keep your roof running smoothly throughout its life with roof maintenance.
To learn more about why roof maintenance is crucial to a cedar shake roof, read this article on why regular roof maintenance is important.
How much does a cedar shake roof replacement cost?
You just learned how long a cedar shake roof should actually last. You also learned 4 factors that affect its lifespan.
But you still need to learn the most important piece of information before getting a new cedar shake roof. That's how much your new roof will cost.
Unfortunately, the roofing industry doesn't like to talk about pricing. But we do things a little differently from the other roofing companies out there.
That's why we're going to break down how much a cedar shake roof replacement could cost so you'll know what to expect from a budgeting standpoint.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing high-quality roof replacements to the residents of Nashville since 1990. Our workmanship ensures your cedar shake roof is installed properly and lasts for decades. If you're local to Nashville, don't hesitate to contact us today to begin the process of getting your new cedar shake roof.
To get an idea of the price for your cedar shake roof replacement, check out this article on How Much Will Your New Cedar Shake Roof Cost? (Price, Factors, & More).
