Cedar Shake Repair or Replacement | Which is Best for Your Home?

If you have a cedar shake roof and you notice that you have damaged shakes or need any type of cedar shake repair then an important question is whether minor repairs will do the trick or if you need an entire new roof instead. The answer will be different from one home to the next, and will depend on the exact situation and circumstances involved.

Click here to read our page on cedar shakes.

Some things that you need to consider in order to make the best decision possible include:

• Sometimes the damage or age of the roof mean that a full replacement is needed and minor repairs are not an option.
• If you can see any shakes with visible damage the problem could be much worse than you think, and what is hidden may be even more severe.
• Consult with more than one qualified roofing contractor, and have each do an inspection and provide a written estimate.
• If a complete replacement is needed should you choose a different material and roof system for the new roof or stick with the current one?
• Do you like the way your roof looks or would you prefer a different appearance instead?

Cedar Shake Repair is Not Always the Best Option, a Full Roof Replacement May be Needed

Cedar shake repair is usually less expensive than replacing an entire roof of these materials. However, sometimes just having repairs done may not be sufficient and a completely new roof is actually needed. If a single contractor recommends replacement and all others recommend repairs then this may identify an unethical contractor trying to drum up more profit.

Visibly Damaged Shakes May Only Show a Small Part of the Problem

When you notice damaged shakes then the first step is to determine the extent of the cedar shake repair needed. With this type of shingle most of the material is hidden, and only a small portion is exposed. What you see may just be a small part of the damage, and when the shakes are torn up the full scope may become evident.

If a leak has occurred for some time there may be damaged roof sheathing. All damaged plywood or sheathing boards must be replaced to avoid further damage.

Consult Several Qualified Contractors for an Inspection and a Written Estimate

If you need cedar shake repair or replacement then interview several roofing contractors who have an excellent reputation in your area. This will help you determine what a competitive price will be, and what each contractor believes is needed. An inspection and written estimate will help you make a final decision on whom to hire.

Should You Replace Cedar Shakes with another Material Instead?

If cedar shake repair is not adequate and a new roof is needed then you will need to decide whether to replace all of the damaged shakes and roof areas with the same materials or with a different choice instead. If you decide on a different type of roof then additional work may be needed as a result.

Cedar shake roofs are generally more expensive than fiberglass/asphalt shingles. There are dimensional shingles available that imitate cedar shakes if you are looking for a less expensive option.

Are You Happy with the Appearance of Your Existing Roof?

If you need cedar shake repair or replacement because of damaged shakes then the final appearance of your roof needs to be considered. If you like the way your home looks currently then there is no need to change the products used. If you are unhappy with the roof appearance a contractor can help you choose something different so that you are happy with the results.

Newer roof products include stone coated steel. One such product is Decra Shake and Shake XD. It has a 50 year limited warranty and withstands high winds.

It may offer all of the distinctive beauty and richness of natural cedar shake but Decra Shake is at its core, solid steel. Steel means durability and longevity.

Source: Arrowhead Building Supply

Matching Existing Cedar Shakes

Cedar shakes change appearance with age and weathering. If you replace a few shakes there will more than likely be a visible difference in appearance between the old and new shakes. If the damaged or missing shakes are in an area of the roof that is a separate section, it may be best for cosmetic reasons to replace the entire section.

The last time you had damage did you choose cedar shake repair or did you replace the entire roof instead?