A cedar shake roof is one of the most curb appealing roofs on the market in the Nashville area. While it's eye catching, it does come at a premium price.
That's why you need to learn as much as possible before deciding if it's the right type of roof for your Nashville, Tennessee home. Because we want to give you the knowledge you need to make this decision, we're going to give you the 4 things you need to know about getting a cedar shake roof in Nashville.
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 worry about your roof again.
By the end of this article, you'll learn what a cedar shake roof is and 4 things you need to know about getting one in Nashville.
What is a cedar shake roof?
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood (cedar) materials. While it serves the same functions as an asphalt or metal roof, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofs you’ll see.
That’s what sets a cedar shake roof apart from the more common roof types we see in Nashville. There are 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles, common, selects, and 100% straight grain.
To make these shingles, they take large cedar trees and cut them into 2-foot sections and hand split them or saw them into a tapered thickness (tapersawn). Hand split gives you a more rugged look, while tapersawn is a much smoother look.
To learn more about cedar shake roofs, read this article on what is a cedar shake roof and 4 things to know about it.
4 things to know about getting a cedar shake roof in Nashville
Now that you know what a cedar shake roof is, you’re ready to learn what you need to know if you want one in Nashville. Continue reading to learn the 4 things you need to know about getting a cedar shake roof in Nashville.
1. A cedar shake roof is going to be a bigger investment than the common roof types
Anytime you get a new roof, it’s going to be an investment. This is especially true when you want a new cedar shake roof.
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system, so you can expect to pay a premium price. Because it’s a premium price, it’s going to cost more than the common asphalt or metal roof systems. But how much more?
You can expect to pay more than 3 to 4 times more for a cedar shake roof than the cost of an asphalt roof. While the price difference between a metal roof and a cedar shake roof won’t be as big, you can still expect to pay almost double the cost of a metal roof.
If finding the lowest priced roof and your budget is a concern, a cedar shake roof might not be right for you.
2. Invest in quality roofing materials from the beginning
You just learned that your cedar shake roof is going to be an investment. To truly make that investment worth it, you have to invest in quality materials.
That starts with investing in the best grade of cedar shake shingles. Remember, there are 3 grades of cedar shake shingles. They are common, selects, and 100% straight grain.
100% straight grain is going to be the best quality, while common will be cheapest and most inferior of the grades. Selects is made up of a mixture of the two others grades, about 80% straight grain and 20% common.
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.
Investing in the best materials is just one thing that affects the life of a cedar shake roof. To learn what else factors into the life of your new roof, read this article on how long a cedar shake roof will last.
3. The climate in Nashville is right for a cedar shake roof
For a cedar shake roof to reach its potential, the conditions in your area have to be right. 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. Here in Nashville, the climate is great for a cedar shake roof.
While the climate is great for your cedar shake roof, you do have to be concerned about the extreme weather in Nashville we see from time to time. We get straight-line winds (aka damaging winds) during heavy thunderstorms, some hail storms, and the occasional tornado.
Straight-line winds can rip your cedar shake shingles off your roof if they’re not properly installed and, depending on the extent of the damage, could lead to a roof replacement.
Since we are in the Ohio Valley region, we do get the occasional tornado. If a tornado hits your home, there’s a good chance your cedar shake roof has extensive damage and you’ll have to get a full roof replacement.
If any of this extreme weather in Nashville impacts your roof, you’ll have to rely on your homeowner’s insurance to get a new one.
4. Hire a local roofing contractor with a history of installing cedar shake roofs
Hiring a local roofing contractor is crucial no matter what kind of roof services you need in Nashville. This is especially true when investing in a premium roof system like a cedar shake roof.
You must hire a roofing contractor that’s local to Nashville and has a strong history of installing cedar shake roofs. When you hire a contractor who has a strong installation history and knows how to properly install a cedar shake roof, you’re going to get as close to the maximum lifespan as possible.
Hiring a contractor local to Nashville ensures you know where to find them if you ever have a problem with your roof. They must have a physical office location in the Nashville area as well as a Nashville phone number.
Another reason to hire a Nashville roofing company is that they know what needs to be done that’s specific to the Nashville area. They’ll know what installation codes to follow, the paperwork required, and everything else they’ll need to ensure your cedar shake roof is correctly installed and in compliance with the State of Tennessee requirements.
How much does a cedar shake roof cost?
Now you know what a cedar shake roof is. You also learned 4 things you need to know about getting a cedar shake roof in Nashville, Tennessee.
We live in a great area for cedar shake roofs, but it’s going to cost more than the commonly seen roof types (asphalt and metal). But how much is it actually going to cost you?
We understand pricing is huge concern for most homeowners. That's why we wrote another article breaking down the price of a cedar shake roof.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided the residents of Nashville with high-quality roof replacements (including cedar shakes) since 1990. Our workmanship and strong installation history ensures you get the most out of your cedar shake roof. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty.
Check out How Much Will Your New Cedar Shake Roof Cost? (Price, Factors, & More) to learn the budget you'll need for this type of roof.
