How Much Does Synthetic Cedar Shake Roofing Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $13,000 - $24,000
Synthetic cedar shake roofing costs range from $13,000 to $24,000, with an average of $18,000. You’ll pay more if you choose high-end materials or have a large roof.
Synthetic cedar shake replicates the look and functionality of traditional wooden cedar shake while keeping costs low. Homeowners will pay an average of $18,000 to install synthetic cedar shake for their entire roof, though it can range from as little as $7,000 to as much as $41,000. Explore all the factors that influence synthetic cedar shake roofing costs and discover whether it’s the right material for your roof.
- Average
- $18,000
- Low end
- $7,000
- high end
- $41,000
Type of Synthetic Cedar Shake Roofing
Synthetic cedar shake is often called composite cedar shake and is a lower-cost alternative to traditional wooden tiles. Synthetic shake is made from engineered materials like plastics and rubber. Hopefully, you can find synthetic shakes with a high percentage—up to and including 100%—of recycled materials.
While wooden shakes are classified into different building grades, such as grade 1, grade 2, straight grain, and so on, synthetic shakes aren’t categorized in the same way. Different manufacturers usually create only one or two types of synthetic shakes, and their costs and quality are comparable.
Size of Roof
Material costs are a large part of the total project cost and, once combined with the hours required to install a roof, the size of the project makes a huge difference in the final cost. Remember that while there is a slight advantage to buying materials in bulk, labor costs typically don’t see a significant discount across the project—regardless of size.
The values below are an approximation but include both the cost of the materials and the work required to install them. Note: this does not include any underlayment work, which is a common requirement when installing new roofing materials.
| Roof Size in Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 600 | $4,200–$6,000 |
| 1,000 | $7,600–$9,700 |
| 1,500 | $12,000–$15,100 |
| 2,000 | $16,000–$19,800 |
| 2,500 | $21,000–$24,500 |
| 3,000 | $24,100–$31,400 |
Roofing Professional Costs
The best person to hire to install synthetic cedar shake roofing is a local roofer who specializes in installing that material. Roofing pros will charge either for the job or per hour. Hourly rates vary but expect to pay each worker between $40 and $90 per hour. If your roof has a sharp angle or access is difficult, expect this number to inflate. Project rates are broken down into material and labor, and you can expect the labor portion to vary as a cost between 20% and 70% of the project’s total.
General Contractor Cost
General contractors charge a rate as a percentage of the total cost, similar to the roofing pro rates above. Even though the cost might be the same, remember that while a general contractor may have experience with roofing, this project is a roofing specialist’s bread and butter, so it makes sense to hire a dedicated professional.
Cost by Location
Where you build affects the project costs. Cities with difficult access will be more expensive than large cities in inexpensive states close to the product's production facility.
The prices below are for a 1,600-square-foot roof and include installation labor.
| Location | Average Cost to Install |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $20,600–$22,500 |
| Washington, D.C. | $17,800–$19,600 |
| Dallas, TX | $16,300–$19,100 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $14,800–$16,000 |
| Denver, CO | $17,100–$20,200 |
| Springfield, IL | $13,900–$15,400 |
| Tulsa, OK | $13,500–$15,000 |
| Green Bay, WI | $14,700–$17,000 |
Additional Cost Factors
Demolition and Prep
Demolition and prep work is usually required when doing any roof repairs. This involves tearing up old shakes and sometimes the underlayment layer. Prep work involves making sure the roof is structurally sound and ready for new underlayment and shake. Doing this yourself will save you $40 to $90 per hour per worker, but due to the height and safety hazards, we don’t recommend it.
Permits
It costs about $1,700 for a permit to replace your roof. A building permit is always required when installing a roof. If you don’t have a permit and build anyway, the city can require you to remove the roof entirely.
Warranty
Roof warranties are divided into three categories: installation warranties, manufacturing warranties, and extended manufacturing warranties. If you have the budget, we recommend all three, but it’s common to only have the first two. Check what’s available before purchase. If you’re making repairs, make sure they aren’t covered before paying out of pocket.
Insurance
Installing this type of roof should lower your home insurance costs. Make sure you negotiate with your insurance company, as the new armor for your roof should result in decreased premiums. Considering a new roof can lower premiums up to 35%, make sure you set aside time to investigate this thoroughly.
Underlayment
Underlayment is a layer of protection between your home and the elements. It costs around $3,000 to install. This may seem like a lot, but that cost is nothing compared to the protection of everything underneath this layer, which, since it’s the roof, is the entire home. Underlayment replacement is unnecessary for smaller repairs.
DIY Installing Synthetic Cedar Shake Roofing vs. Hiring a Pro
You should hire a roofer to install your synthetic cedar shake roofing instead of attempting to DIY. Sure, you’d save on labor hours—but at the cost of your own safety and at the risk of performing subpar work. In a worst-case scenario, an improper installation could even lead to damage well beyond the roof.
Get a few quotes from a professional roofer near you who can install your roof properly and on time. There are plenty of DIY projects waiting around the house but unfortunately, roofing isn't one of them.
Synthetic Cedar Shake Roofing Replacement vs. Repair
When considering the cost-benefit analysis of replacing the entire roof versus repairing, you need to determine the extent of the area that needs replacing. A good rule is to replace the entire project if the repair costs 50% or more than the price of a full replacement.
Synthetic shake is more beneficial than traditional wood when considering repairs because it doesn't age as noticeably. This means that repairs can easily blend into the existing roof without a glaring difference between new and old tiles.
Tips to Reduce Cost While Installing Synthetic Cedar Shake Roofing
If you’re just repairing a piece here or there, it’ll be difficult to save any real money (because you’re not spending a lot). However, as the project grows in scope, so does the ability to shave dollars off the total project cost. Tome tips to reduce cost during installation are:
Buy in bulk and negotiate lower pricing.
Use any and all discount codes or coupons.
Shop outside your immediate surroundings.
Plan for off-season installation if possible.
Double-check your warranty—make sure the repairs aren’t covered.
Use recycled materials.
DIY your own demolition.
Does Installing Synthetic Cedar Shake Roofing Increase Home Value?
Almost all improvements add value to a home, but the amount varies as does the amount a homeowner can recoup from their investment. Installing synthetic cedar shakes can result in a return on investment (ROI) of between 30% and 70%. This means that for every $1,000 a homeowner spends, they should see a corresponding rise in their home’s value between $300 and $700.
Synthetics are always compared to their natural counterparts. Traditional cedar shake harvested from cedar trees also sees a solid ROI—but it’s a little less. This is due to the initially high cost of the wooden shake as it’s considerably more expensive than synthetic. Other reasons why a cedar shake roof may not yield the same value as a synthetic are:
Shorter warranty period.
Requires replacement sooner than synthetic.
Damages more easily.
Requires specialized labor to repair.
Less energy efficiency.
Potential insect issues.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When properly installed, synthetic shake roofing can last 30 to 50 years or more. While traditional wooden shake undoubtedly has that wow factor, synthetic shakes won’t warp from the weather, swell from rain, or invite termites or other burrowing insects. It is also more resistant to physical damage, like falling tree limbs or hail.
Wooden roofs require regular maintenance, are prone to rot and mold, and are frequently the target of insect infestations. Natural wood is also excellent at absorbing and storing moisture—not a positive. In climates where the weather shifts dramatically, the wood can also crack, split, or warp.
Wood shakes and shingles are both overlaid to create a strong, resistant roof, but they have some differences (mainly in manufacturing). Shingles are cut on both sides, which gives them a uniform if somewhat homogenous appearance. On the other hand, shakes are sawed on only one side, which makes them appear more natural. Shake is thicker, heavier, and more expensive. Those looking for a more rustic aesthetic tend to choose shake.
While you technically can add a roof over shakes or shingles, it’s not a good idea. Roofing over existing roofing creates a moisture barrier underneath the new roof and since the trapped material is wood, you can expect a moisture problem. While you could get away with installing a new roof over asphalt or steel, wooden roofs should be removed, new underlayment installed, and the new roof installed over that. Also, the extra weight would add strain to your roof structure.