How long does a cedar shake roof last? Any homeowner should have this question in mind when preparing to upgrade their current roof with a beautiful new cedar shake roof.
Cedar shake roofs are known for their extreme durability, flexible installment options, and pleasing aesthetics. But as with all roofing types, your wood roof will degrade over time in response to the elements, insects, and other types of wear and tear. Luckily, with proper installation and maintenance, you can drastically lengthen the lifespan of your wood shingle roof.
To learn more about the life expectancy of cedar shake roofs, call our team at Gotcha Covered Contracting Today at 724-581-8147. We’ll get you situated with a free initial consultation where you can speak to one of our roofing experts directly about your roofing options in Pittsburgh, Allison Park, Wexford, Cranberry Township, and surrounding cities.
How Long Your Shake Roof Will Last on Average
Typically, a cedar shake or shingle roof will last you 20 to 40 years – even longer with the proper maintenance schedule. Durable and eco-friendly, these roofs tend to be popular in the greater Pittsburgh area as a stylish addition to any home that comes built to last.
Factors Influencing a Cedar Shake Roof’s Lifespan
Quite a few factors will influence how long your cedar shake roof will last. That also means you have plenty of steps to take to ensure its longevity.
The Grade of Your Cedar Shake Shingles
Cedar shake shingles come in three grades:
- Common: Common s the cheapest of the grades, most alluring for its price point. These shingles have been randomly cut from the leftovers from other, higher-grade cuts. You can expect these to receive water damage most quickly of the three types.
- Selects: Select shingles are a hybrid of straight grain and commons at about an 80/20 split. A roofing specialist at Gotcha Covered Contracting will hand-select your cuts to find the best quality to fit your roof.
- Straight Grain: These represent the highest quality and most durable shingles available: 100% straight grain. Each piece has been individually selected and is straight-grained. These shingles will remain flat over time much longer than commons or selects.
Investing in higher-quality materials will save you in the long run, as it will directly lead to a longer lifespan.
The Climate and Weather
Often, roofs will deteriorate quickly due to your home’s location. Pittsburgh weather can ravage your roof, ranging from brutally hot summers to below-freezing temperatures in the winter.
This pulling back and forth is not good for your roof, and even a religious maintenance schedule will not prevent the inevitable forever. Likewise, UV damage from the sun’s rays can take years of life off your roof. And naturally, since cedar is wood, years of rain, snow, and hail will eventually bring your roof to its knees.
Cedar shake roofs are among the most durable on the market. If you stick to your maintenance schedule, you’ll be looking at a roof built to last.
Hiring a High-Quality Roofing Contractor
One of the best ways to get a roof that lasts is to hire an experienced roofing contractor. Getting a new roof is an investment, and you want the right hands on the job to make sure everything goes flawlessly. A sound installation bodes well for how the roof will hold up in five, 10, and even 25 years.
Seek out contractors with years of experience installing cedar shake roofs. You need a team that uses the proper, most modernized techniques to appropriately cut and lays your roof correctly. At Gotcha Covered Contracting, we can meet your needs.
Scheduling Regular Roof Maintenance Visits
We mention maintenance a lot because contracting with a good roof maintenance company is the best way to ensure that your roof will last as long as possible. You want to trust in a company like ours at Gotcha Covered
Contracting that has years of experience working on roofs–and cedar shake roofs in particular.
Maintaining things like wood coatings with the proper sealant can extend your roof’s lifespan by years. Don’t let your roof problems linger—the sooner you address your roof issues, the better chances you have to keep your current roof.
Gotcha Covered Contracting – Your Go-To Roofing Company
How long does a cedar shake roof last? With expert installation and top-of-the-line roofing maintenance from Gotcha Covered Contracting, you can see your roof last over 50 years–or even more.
Ready to get started? Call us at 724-581-8147 today to get set up with one of our professional roofing specialists. Our service area includes Pittsburgh, Allison Park, Wexford, Cranberry Township and all surrounding cities.
