A cedar shake roof costs around $21,000, on average, and most homeowners pay between $15,800 and $30,000, depending on the roof size, material, labor costs, and roof design.
Cedar shake roofs cost $21,000 for an average-sized roof, with a typical range between $15,800 and $30,000. Prices can fall as low as $9,000 or climb up to $52,500, depending on roof size, job complexity, wood grade, and more.
One of the most impactful factors when it comes to wood roof costs is the size of the roof. Homes with more square footage and larger roofs will cost more due to the additional materials and labor required to get the job done.
In most cases, the cost of a cedar shake roof will fall between $6 and $15 per square foot. You can calculate the square footage of your roof based on the size of your living area and then use these figures to get a better idea of your total.
| Roof Size (Square Feet) | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 | $9,000 – $22,500 |
| 2,000 | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| 2,500 | $15,000 – $37,500 |
| 3,000 | $18,000 – $45,000 |
| 3,500 | $21,000 – $52,500 |
You can expect between 50% and 60% of your cedar shake roof cost to go toward labor or between $10,500 and $12,600 total for the average-sized roof. Labor costs can increase if you have a steep roof or a complex roof style. Steep roofs require more safety equipment and caution, which can increase the installation time. Complex roofs with hips, valleys, or multiple dormers to work around will also make the installation take longer, driving up labor costs.
Cedar shake roof costs vary by location, and you’ll tend to find higher prices in areas with a higher cost of living. For example, the cost of living in California is around 145% of the national average, so roof prices will be nearly 50% higher there than in most other states. Even within a given state, installation in major metropolitan areas will also be higher.
| State | Cedar Shake Roof Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $30,500 |
| Florida | $21,600 |
| Georgia | $19,200 |
| Illinois | $19,600 |
| Michigan | $19,300 |
| New York | $25,800 |
| North Carolina | $20,700 |
| Ohio | $19,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $20,100 |
| Texas | $19,400 |
Another consideration you might have to make with respect to location is your distance away from a natural source of cedar. Prices can be a bit lower in the Eastern United States than in other regions because of the abundance of cedar trees available for manufacturing. You’ll see this difference in material costs, as shipping can factor into the cost of the shakes.
There are several other cost factors you should consider if you want the most accurate estimate possible.
Cedar is a natural material, so cedar shakes will have natural variances in their composition and appearance. Many homeowners prefer a uniform appearance on their roof, which may require paying extra for high-quality shakes with few imperfections in the wood and a consistent wood grain.
There are three wood grades to consider. Common grade shakes have the highest chance of imperfections and abnormalities, straight-grain grade shakes have close to none, and select grade shakes sit somewhere in the middle. Prices follow the grade accordingly.
| Cedar Shakes Grade | Average Price (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Common | $6 – $8 |
| Select | $7 – $11 |
| Straight-Grain | $8 – $15 |
The easier and safer it is to access and walk on your roof, the faster your professional can get the job done, and the lower your labor costs will be. The biggest factor to consider when it comes to accessibility is roof pitch. Steep roofs more often demand the use of extra safety equipment that takes longer to work around, which can drive up labor costs.
Local building codes often require underlayment under your roofing material, and replacing this during your roof project will cost an average of $3,300. Many professional roofers will include underlayment replacement in your project total, so be sure to check with your expert to see if you need to budget separately for this material.
Roof flashing under a cedar shake roof costs between $200 and $600 in most cases and is also often required by building code. The cost of roof flashing will tend to sit toward the higher end of that range if you have a roof with multiple valleys, ridges, dormers, or roof penetrations for chimneys, roof vents, or skylights. Most professionals will include this in your total roof replacement cost.
Drip edge is a special kind of roof flashing that directs water away from your fascia at the bottom of roof slopes. Drip edge replacement costs between $100 and $500 to replace, although professionals often include it in their total project costs.
You shouldn’t install a new roof over an existing one, so you might need to budget between $1,000 and $5,000 to have your roofing professional rip off the old roof and haul away the materials before installing the new one. Dumping prices will depend on the weight of the old roof, so materials like slate or clay often cost the most to remove.
“A good indicator that the roof needs to be replaced and done by a professional is evidence of missing shingles or other materials. If the roof is beginning to lose shingles during major storms, then it is likely time to have it replaced rather than making repairs.”
– Korey Gregory, Construction Supervisor at ASAP Restoration LLC in Tempe, AZ
Wood naturally absorbs water, so depending on the climate you live in, you might need to pay extra to have your professional apply a roof sealant to your new roof. For your cedar shake roof, look for wood-specific sealers, which are usually polyurethane-based. These roof sealants cost $2 to $5 per square foot on average.
You might also need fireproofing, which is sometimes required by building code for wood roofs, or an algaecide to prevent discoloration in particularly wet or humid areas. These will cost between $200 and $1,000 each, on average.
Roof replacement permits cost between $100 and $500, on average, and they’re a requirement for a legal roof installation in most cases. Most roofers will include this cost in your total, as well.
If you’re comfortable and have the experience and safety equipment required to install your cedar shake roof yourself, you stand to save somewhere between $10,500 and $12,600 on labor costs. While this is a substantial amount, it’s usually worth hiring a professional for a few reasons.
First, working on a roof is dangerous, so hiring a pro means potentially preventing serious injury. Second, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against rain, snow, and wind, and any mistakes you make during the installation process can lead to roof leaks and very expensive property damage that could end up costing you more than you’d save in the first place.
Finally, most roofing materials include a manufacturer’s warranty, and many professionals offer a labor warranty to guarantee your roof for decades to come. When you DIY, you don’t get a labor warranty, and you’ll usually void your manufacturer’s warranty. Hiring a local roofing company is well worth the added cost for the peace of mind and protection you get.
The cost to repair a cedar shake roof averages around $750, which is significantly less expensive than the $21,000 you’d pay for a replacement. It’s a good idea to have a roof inspection done to see if a repair is a good option. It will often be more affordable up front and in the long run, especially if only a small portion of your roof is compromised.
Remember that cedar is a natural material that can vary in color and grain quality, even from batch to batch. It also changes appearance as it ages. As such, a roof patch for a cedar shake roof will likely stand out, so take curb appeal into consideration when deciding between a repair and a full replacement.
The cost to install a cedar shake roof can climb as high as $52,500, but there are a few things you can do to bring down your total.
Consider cedar for an accent roof. Cedar is a relatively expensive roof material, so you can keep your total roof project cost down by covering most of your roof with asphalt shingles and just using cedar for small sections, like an accent roof.
Opt for common-grade wood. If you don’t mind some variation in the color and grain pattern of your roof, choose common-grade wood, which costs the least among the three options. You can also consider the cost of a synthetic cedar roof, which is often less than natural wood.
Hire a professional. Hiring a professional will cost thousands in labor, but it’s worth the added investment for peace of mind, to keep yourself safe, and to keep your warranty coverage intact. In some cases, you could save money on repairs and property damage down the road by paying more for a professional installation upfront.
Yes, installing a new cedar shake roof will provide a significant boost to home value. On average, you can expect an ROI of between 50% and 70%, depending on the quality of the wood, the climate in your area, and the preferences of local buyers. Cedar roofs last for around two to three times as long as asphalt shingle roofs and offer more curb appeal, so buyers looking for peace of mind or a unique property will likely be willing to pay a premium for a home with a cedar roof.
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Though cedar shakes often get confused with shingles, there are a few key differences between wood shakes and wood shingles. For one, cedar shingle prices are lower, although shingles are less durable than wood shakes. Cedar shakes are thicker than shingles (shingles range from about 3/8 to 1/2 inches thick, compared to 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick for shakes). Wood shakes are handmade, while shingles are usually machine-made. Also, wood shakes work better on steeper roofs than shingles do. While the cost of cedar shingles is more budget-friendly, there are many great reasons to choose shakes.
When installed and maintained properly, a cedar shake roof should last up to 60 years. Severe weather and high winds will damage your roof, reducing its life span. Expect a shorter life span if the roofer didn't use top-grade material, didn’t have cedar shake expertise, didn’t create the proper ventilation, or didn’t use the correct fasteners. Keeping up with maintenance will help it last longer. It’s also a good idea to get roof inspections on a regular basis to help spot repairs before they become major issues.
Look for certified local roofing contractors with plenty of experience working with cedar. There are also several important roofing questions to ask before choosing a roofer, including whether they are licensed, bonded, and insured. Once you’ve rounded up a few good candidates, compare estimates and hire whoever gives you the best bang for your buck.
