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The Daily Insight

How much does a cedar roof cost

Author

Nathan Sanders

Published Apr 21, 2026

The average roofing installation price for a cedar shingle roof costs anywhere between $7,649 to $11,474 on an 1,800 sq. ft home. You can expect to pay $4.50 to $9.00 per sq. foot or $450 to $900 per square for wood shingles when installed on a standard sized single story home.

Is a cedar roof worth it?

Despite being worth more, cedar shingles are a great investment in your home. With a high quality and great looking material, on your roof, your curb appeal with increase. Cedar is highly valued by home value appraisers and future buyers as it is durable, looks great, and lasts longer normal shingles.

How much does a cedar shake roof cost per square foot?

How Much Does a Cedar Shake Roof Cost per Square Foot? Cedar shakes cost between $6 to $9.50 per square foot, including labor and materials. For a 1500-square-foot roof, you might pay anywhere from $9,000 to $14,250, or possibly more for high-end varieties.

How long does a cedar roof 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.

How much does a 1700 square foot roof cost?

It will cost anywhere between $6,000 to $9,000 to replace a typical 1,700 square foot asphalt shingle roof. Roofing companies charge an average of $3.50 to $6.00 per square foot for asphalt roof replacements.

Are cedar roofs waterproof?

Are cedar shingles waterproof? Cedar wood shingles are prone to mold, mildew, and insects. It is important to note that the wood on a cedar roof is not intended to be waterproof, and is therefore quite susceptible to wind-driven rain. Any natural product exposed to water is vulnerable to mold, mildew and erosion.

Are cedar roofs more expensive?

Compared with other roofing materials, such as the popular asphalt shingles, cedar roofing shingles are more expensive and cost more to install. … Top quality roofing, like cedar wood, comes with a higher price. However, over time, the longevity of cedar wood roofing provides a higher return on investment.

Do cedar roofs need to be treated?

Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade over time, with constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays, the elements, and water, of course. It also means that the cedar shakes can suffer from fungus and algae growth without proper treatment. Most importantly, without treatment, cedar shake shingles can catch on fire.

How do you maintain a cedar roof?

Cedar needs to breathe, and therefore needs to be kept clean. Do not allow leaves, branches or other debris to build up on the roof. Both surface areas and keyways (spaces between shakes and shingles) need to be kept clear. Ensure ventilation is available, year round.

Do cedar shingles shrink?

Cedar wood contains 20% to 25 % moisture and by the time it becomes shakes sitting in a driveway the moisture is around 15% to 20%. Due to this variance, spacing for shakes will be different. Natural shake will shrink after installation unless kiln-dried or stained at the factory – in which case they expand.

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What is the difference between a cedar shake and shingle?

Appearance – Cedar shingles have a smooth and uniform look that spans the entire roof surface while cedar shakes have a more rugged appearance because each piece looks a little different than the rest. … Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered.

How much does it cost to install a cedar shake roof?

The national average cost to install a cedar shake roof ranges from $11,000 to $17,500, with most people paying $14,250 for a 1,500 sq. ft. cedar shake roof fully installed.

Are cedar shakes expensive?

Cedar shake siding costs between $6 and $12 per square foot for materials and installation. Shingle siding costs $6 to $10 per square foot. To put cedar siding on an entire house, it costs $9,000 to $19,000 or more, depending on the size of the home.

What is the cheapest way to replace a roof?

While asphalt is the cheapest roofing material, there are 3 different types of asphalt shingles that vary in price and affect how much you’ll spend on your roof replacement. 3-tab shingles are the cheapest of the 3 types of asphalt shingles and are a great option for a tight budget.

How much does it cost to roof a 2100 sq ft house?

On average, it costs from $1.20-$4 per square foot to tear off and replace a roof with asphalt shingles. For a 1,700-2,100 square foot ranch-style property, that costs about $1,700-$8,400.

How do I estimate roofing costs?

According to HomeAdvisor, the typical range for roof replacement costs is between $5,100 and $10,000, but roof replacement can be as low as $1,200 or as high as $30,000. Many roofing companies will charge between $3.50 and $5.00 per square foot.

Why are cedar shingles so expensive?

Cedar shakes tend to be thicker (up to 3/4th on an inch in thickness) than wood shingles (up to 1/2 inch thick), and hence also more expensive.

What do I need to know about cedar roofing?

Cedar roofs are very durable and create a strong barrier against winter cold. If the cedar shakes are left untreated, they will change to a slightly gray color over time as they get stronger from exposure to harsh weather. Of all the natural roofing materials, cedar probably has the best resistance to winter weather.

How much is a bundle of cedar shingles?

TypePer SquarePer BundleCedar$400$130Wood$350$120Composite$325$110

Should cedar roof shingles be sealed?

Should I seal my cedar roof to keep out moisture? No. Never seal your cedar roof.

Can I treat cedar shingles?

Some cedar siding shingles are treated with bleaching oil, which is a treatment made with linseed oil and bleach crystals. Along with protecting your cedar shingles against decay and other coastal contamination, this treatment will also give them the weathered silvery gray look that many homeowners prefer.

Can you stain a cedar shake roof?

Best Stains for Cedar Shingles Can Be Oil or Water Based Oil or water based stains make an ideal stain for your cedar shingles, as long as they don’t have a high solid, particulate nature. Paint VS Stain, Best stains seals and protects wood shingles, leaving no paint mil to chip, crack, or peel.

Can you walk on a cedar roof?

So can you walk on a cedar shake roof? The short answer: yes. But you must be very careful. … Still, even if they do support your weight, cedar shakes are also notoriously slippery and difficult to navigate, especially after a recent storm or if they are covered in moss or other growths.

Are cedar shake roofs good?

Cedar wood roofs are energy efficient and provide natural insulation up to two times that of asphalt shingles. This allows you to save money on your energy bills by conserving your home’s heating and cooling costs. Cedar shake roofs are also recyclable and eco friendly.

How long do cedar shingles last on a house?

Generally, all sources agree that when a cedar shake roof is properly installed and maintained, a cedar roof life expectancy is around 30 years. Deterioration prevention maintenance needs to be performed every 2 to 4 years for the longest cedar shake roof life possible.

Can you pressure wash a cedar shake roof?

Cedar shake siding will grow algae and mold if it’s not cleaned once in a while. Algae and mold will cause deterioration and discoloration to your cedar siding. Much like a wooden deck, you can use detergents and a pressure washer to blast the grime away and reveal the beautiful cedar color within.

How do you clean a cedar roof?

The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution no stronger than one-part bleach to three parts water. Apply it with a pump sprayer and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a garden hose. Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles.

How long do untreated cedar shingles last?

When left untreated, within five years of installation, the cedar siding will begin to rot and soften from the moisture that enters from not being protected.

What goes under cedar shingles?

Felt underlayment/tar paper: Felt materials are a traditional underlayment option for cedar shingles made from a base of natural materials like wood cellulose or synthetics like fiberglass and coated with a protective asphalt coating to repel moisture and debris.

How long does it take to install cedar shingles?

Labor. Every 1000 square feet of siding will require between 60 and 70 hours for installation. Using the 1580 square foot average mentioned earlier, you can expect your siding job to take between 90 and 105 hours.

How far apart do you put cedar shingles?

White cedar shingles should be spaced from 1/16 to inch apart depending on conditions — a 1/16 -inch gap would be appropriate for green shingles, which are prone to shrinkage, and a 1/4-inch gap for kiln-dried shingles installed in a moist environment.