Roof replacement
Cedar shake roofs are beautiful but high-maintenance, especially in NC humidity. Learn the types, lifespan, warranties, and whether cedar fits your home.
What is a cedar shake roof, and is it right for North Carolina?
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof made of natural cedar wood, prized for its rustic, high-end look. Good cedar shake lasts 30 years or more, but it needs steady upkeep, and North Carolina's humidity is hard on it. It can work here for the right homeowner who commits to the maintenance.
Key takeaways:
- Cedar shake is a natural-wood roof valued mainly for its distinctive appearance.
- Quality runs from common to selects to 100% straight grain, and the grade you pick drives how long it lasts.
- A well-maintained cedar roof lasts around 30 years, and up to 50 with premium materials.
- NC humidity keeps cedar damp, which speeds up decay, so maintenance here is not optional.
- Cedar shakes rarely carry a material warranty, so your contractor's workmanship warranty is your main protection.
Is it time for a roof replacement, and do you want a roof that turns heads? Cedar shake might be on your list. It is one of the most striking roofing materials available, and it is also one of the most demanding, especially in a climate like ours. Here is what to know before you commit.
For more than 35 years, On Tops Roofing has helped homeowners across Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle work through roofing decisions like this one. Part of that job is being straight with you about what a material does well and where it struggles. Cedar shake is a perfect example, so we will cover the appeal and the trade-offs honestly.
In this blog, we're going over:
- What a cedar shake roof is
- What to know before choosing cedar shake
- Is cedar shake a good fit for NC?
- FAQ
What is a Cedar Shake Roof?
If you want a premium roof made from natural materials, cedar shake delivers a look that asphalt cannot match. It does the same job as any other roof, protecting your home, but its appeal is almost entirely aesthetic: the warm, textured, organic character of real wood.
Cedar shakes are made from large cedar trees cut into two-foot sections, then either hand-split or sawn to a tapered thickness, known as tapersawn. Hand-split shingles have a rugged, rustic texture, while tapersawn shingles come out noticeably smoother. You will choose between half-inch and three-quarter-inch thicknesses, with the thicker option lasting longer at a higher price, and between exposure options like 12-inch and 7.5-inch that change the final look.
One practical note: cedar shake usually means a wait. Manufacturers tend to split the cedar only after an order is placed, so plan for a lead time of roughly three to eight weeks to get the materials in hand.
What to Know About Shake
The 3 Types of Cedar Shake Shingles
Cedar shake comes in three grades, from common up to 100% straight grain, and the grade you choose has a direct effect on how long the roof lasts.
- Common: the most economical and the least durable. Common shakes are cut from any part of the tree and are essentially the byproduct of higher-quality cuts, so they are the first to split and warp.
- Selects: a middle ground, usually around 80% straight grain and 20% common. A good contractor sorts through the shingles to handpick the best of the batch for your roof.
- 100% straight grain: the top tier. Each shingle is hand-selected with a straight grain so it lies flat and resists curling over time. This is the grade to choose for the longest-lasting, best-looking cedar roof.
Match the grade to your budget and how long you plan to keep the roof. Common shakes are easy on the wallet up front, but in a climate like North Carolina's, the higher grades earn their cost by holding up far better over the years.
The Lifespan of a Cedar Shake Roof
How long a cedar shake roof lasts depends on the quality of the installation, how consistently it is maintained, and the climate it sits in.
Under good conditions, with a proper installation and consistent upkeep, a cedar shake roof lasts around 30 years. Step up to premium materials like 100% straight grain shingles and quality components, and the lifespan can stretch toward 50 years.
Climate is the catch, and it matters a lot here. Cedar performs best in temperate regions with low humidity, where the shingles can dry out between rains. North Carolina is the opposite: humid much of the year. When cedar stays damp, it ages faster and is prone to decay, which can pull that 30-year figure down if the roof is not cared for. That does not rule cedar out for NC, but it raises the bar on the grade you choose and the maintenance you commit to.
Warranty Options for Cedar Shake
Roof installations usually come with two kinds of warranty, but cedar shake is a special case worth understanding.
The contractor's workmanship warranty covers installation errors. If the roof has problems because of how it was installed, the contractor who issued the warranty covers the labor and materials to fix it. The manufacturer's warranty normally covers defects in the materials themselves, but cedar shakes typically are not covered by one, because they are a natural product rather than a manufactured one.
That makes the workmanship warranty your primary, often only, protection on a cedar roof, which raises the stakes on who installs it. Hiring a proven contractor is the single most important decision in a cedar shake project. If you are not sure how to evaluate one, our guide on the questions to ask a roofing contractor is a good place to start. For our part, On Tops Roofing backs its installations with up to a 10-year workmanship warranty, which matters more on cedar than on almost any other material.
How to Maintain a Cedar Shake Roof
Caring for a cedar shake roof does not stop at installation. More than most materials, cedar needs ongoing attention to reach its full lifespan, and in our climate that attention is what separates a 30-year roof from one that fails early.
Here is why regular maintenance is essential for cedar:
- Preventing structural issues: routine inspections of the vulnerable spots catch small problems early. Cedar is especially prone to water damage and natural decay, so finding a minor issue before it spreads is critical.
- Extending lifespan: addressing minor concerns promptly is how you avoid premature deterioration and the costly repairs that follow.
- Debris removal: this is the big one in North Carolina. Wet leaves and pine straw pile up on the roof and in the valleys, and the trapped moisture soaks into the cedar and feeds decay. Keeping the roof and gutters clear is your best everyday defense against the humidity that works against cedar here.
A consistent maintenance routine, paired with periodic professional inspections, is what protects a cedar investment. Stay proactive and the roof rewards you with decades of one-of-a-kind curb appeal.
Is Cedar Shake a Good Fit for North Carolina?
Here is our honest take after more than 15,000 roofs across the Triangle since 1991. Cedar shake is a beautiful roof, and it can succeed in North Carolina, but it is not a low-effort choice here. Our humidity works against the material, so a cedar roof in NC rewards homeowners who invest in a higher grade like selects or 100% straight grain, hire a contractor who installs cedar correctly, and stay on top of debris removal and inspections year after year.
If that level of commitment is not for you, that is worth knowing before you spend the money, not after. Homeowners who love the cedar look but want less upkeep often land on synthetic or composite shake, which mimics the appearance without the moisture sensitivity. When you are weighing your options, we are happy to walk you through how real cedar and the alternatives would each perform on your specific home. A free estimate is a no-pressure way to start that conversation.
FAQ
How long does a cedar shake roof last in North Carolina?
Around 30 years with a quality installation and consistent maintenance, and up to 50 with premium 100% straight grain shingles. Our humidity can shorten that if the roof is neglected, because cedar that stays damp decays faster, so upkeep matters more here than in a dry climate.
Is cedar shake worth it in a humid climate?
It can be, for the right homeowner. Cedar performs best where it can dry out between rains, so in North Carolina it takes a higher shingle grade, a skilled installer, and diligent maintenance to get a full lifespan. If you want the look with less effort, synthetic shake is worth considering.
Do cedar shake roofs come with a warranty?
Usually only a workmanship warranty from your contractor. Because cedar is a natural product, manufacturers generally do not warranty the material itself, which makes choosing a reputable installer the most important step in the whole project.
What is the difference between hand-split and tapersawn shakes?
Hand-split shakes are split from the cedar section by hand and have a rugged, rustic texture. Tapersawn shakes are sawn to a tapered thickness and come out noticeably smoother. It comes down to the look you want.
How much maintenance does a cedar roof really need?
More than asphalt or metal. Plan on keeping the roof and gutters clear of leaves and pine straw, having vulnerable areas inspected periodically, and addressing small issues quickly. In NC's humidity, that routine is what keeps moisture from shortening the roof's life.
