Are you interested in a cedar shake roof? Did you know that the roofing industry has synthetic cedar shake shingles that mimic the highly desired look?
Cedar shake roofing is one of the naturally occurring roofing materials that provides curb appeal that's hard to beat. But improved technology led to the development of synthetic shingles that look just like real cedar shakes.
As synthetic cedar shake shingles become more popular, there’s debate on whether synthetic or natural is better. This is understandable because they have major differences, even though they offer the same look.
So, let's break them all down.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in helping homeowners understand key information about roofing materials so they feel confident when making the choice. That's why I'll compare natural and synthetic cedar shake roofing on pricing, lifespan, and much more.
By the end of this article, you'll learn:
- What is a cedar shake roof?
- What is a synthetic cedar shake roof?
- Natural cedar shake vs. synthetic cedar shake
What is a cedar shake roof?
A cedar shake roof is a premium roofing material made of natural wood cut into individual shingles. The shingles come from large cedar trees in the Northwest United States or Southwest Canada.
They are split into 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles: common (most inferior), selects (80/20 split), and 100% straight grain (highest quality).
Cedar shake roofing pros:
- Very high curb appeal
- Durable
Cedar shake roofing cons:
- Expensive
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Loses the “fresh” color over time
- Cedar shakes rot, crack, and curl as they age
- No material warranty
- Materials may not be readily available
What is a synthetic cedar shake roof?
Synthetic (also known as composite) cedar shake roofing is made of recycled materials (or an engineered polymer) designed to mimic a natural cedar shake roof. They have realistic grain patterns and deep grooves to make them look natural as well as multiple colors and styles to fit any home’s look.
Synthetic shingle roofing pros:
- Eco-friendly
- Very high curb appeal
- Class 4 impact rating
- No cracking or breaking like natural material counterparts
- Cheaper than the materials it mimics
Synthetic shingle roofing cons:
- Newer to the roofing industry
- Expensive
Natural cedar shake vs. synthetic cedar shake
Now, you know the pros and cons of natural and synthetic cedar shake roofing. While this gives you an idea of their differences, you still need to dig deeper into the things that determine which one is right for you.
Let’s compare natural cedar shake roofing to synthetic cedar shake roofing on:
- Material availability
- Installation
- Lifespan
- Wear and tear
- Material warranty
- Pricing
Material availability
Both roofing materials are available in the United States, but natural cedar shake usually takes longer to get than synthetic cedar shake. In most cases, getting the natural cedar shakes can take 3 to 8 weeks.
Keep in mind that it depends on what suppliers in your area have readily in stock. And, depending on the synthetic shingle manufacturer and production flow, it can take up to 6 weeks or longer.
But even so, natural cedar shakes tend to take longer to get compared to synthetic cedar shakes.
Installation
Installing both natural and synthetic cedar shake shingles is a completely different skill set than normal shingles. They are installed one at a time, which makes getting a new roof with either one a slow, labor-intensive, and time-consuming project.
On top of this, chalk lines have to be popped to ensure evenness and correct exposure. So, no matter what, natural cedar shake and synthetic cedar shake has high labor costs.
That's why it's crucial to hire a local roofer with experience working with and installing the specific material.
Lifespan
Both natural cedar shake and synthetic cedar shake have good lifespans, but a synthetic cedar shake roof will last longer. A synthetic cedar shake roof will last 40 to 50 years as long as it’s installed correctly.
On the other hand, a cedar shake roof lasts 30 year and can be pushed further with proper maintenance and investing in high quality materials. The reason synthetic cedar shake lasts longer comes down to the synthetic make up and their high impact rating (resistance to impact from hail).
DaVinci Roofscapes, Our preferred synthetic shingle manufacturer, synthetic cedar shake shingles have a Class 4 impact rating (the highest rating possible).
Climate impact
Weather and climate always impact a roof, but they have a bigger impact on natural cedar shakes than synthetic cedar shake shingles. In fact, the longevity of natural cedar shakes heavily depends on being in the right climate.
In extreme heat, the cedar will dry out and split or crack. In a very humid climate, the cedar shingles can absorb and hold excess moisture, which shortens their lifespan.
Our area in Nashville, Tennessee, is suitable for a cedar shake roof. But I wouldn't recommend it if you live in an area with extremely humid and dry climates.
Wear and tear
Every roof fades and goes through the wear and tear of constant exposure to the element. However, natural cedar shakes show lose their freshness and show signs of wear and tear much more than synthetic cedar shake shingles.
Natural cedar shake shingles rot, crack, and curl as they age. You don’t have to worry about this with synthetic cedar shake.
As long as they’re installed properly, you should have no aesthetic problems with synthetic cedar shake shingles. You also don’t have to worry about the synthetic shingles losing their “fresh” color.
(Left: natural cedar shake; Right: aged natural cedar shake)
This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but natural cedar shake shingles change from a fresh cedar color to a worn (or aged) color as they age. Some homeowners don’t think this is a big deal, and some even like the worn look.
Material warranty
You get two warranties when getting a new roof: workmanship and material. While the workmanship warranty depends on the roofer you hire, the material warranty for natural cedar shakes and synthetic cedar shake shingles is very different.
Natural cedar shakes usually have no material warranty because they aren’t necessarily manufactured. So, you’ll have to rely on a contractor’s workmanship warranty if there’s ever a problem.
However, most synthetic cedar shake shingles come with some kind of lifetime limited material warranty, depending on the manufacturer. That’s why it’s important to talk to your roofing contractor about the synthetic shingle manufacturer they use and their warranties.
Pricing
Natural cedar shakes and synthetic cedar shake shingles are considered premium roof systems. They both require large budgets, but a synthetic cedar shake roof will be cheaper than a natural cedar shake roof.
Synthetic cedar shake shingles are usually around half the price for the shingles and components compared to natural cedar. While it’s impossible to be exact due to all the pricing factors, I can give you an idea of the budget needed for both.
A natural cedar shake roof costs around $20.00 to $30.00 or more per square foot. On the other hand, a synthetic cedar shake roof costs around $14.00 to $20.00 per square foot but can get higher based on your area and roofer.
Is natural cedar shake or synthetic cedar shake right for you?
After reading this article, you should have a good idea if natural cedar shake or synthetic cedar shake shingles is right for you. Both are great roof systems, but synthetic cedar shake is a more realistic option.
This is not only due to pricing but also because it comes with material warranties, lasts longer, and doesn't lose it's freshness as the synthetic cedar shake roof ages. However, there’s also a good chance that neither one is right for you.
If that’s the case, there are plenty of other materials for you to consider. So, whether cedar shake (natural or synthetic) isn’t the right fit or you just want to know your options, I wrote another article breaking down the top residential roofing materials.
Check out The Top 8 Types of Roofing Materials (& How to Choose the Right One) to get the information you need to make the best decision based on your budget, home’s look, and more.
