Sheathing
Damaged sheathing is renewed so fasteners hold firmly.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Kenilworth, NJ
When cedar shakes in Kenilworth are thin, brittle and leaking in many places, replacement means a full tear-off and a new roof built from the deck up, with the deck matched to whatever comes next. Call (908) 613-5001 to reach a local roofer.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. The shakes erode thinner every year, the butts rot, the nails rust through and the wood turns so brittle that a roofer cannot replace one shake without cracking three more. Replacement then protects the house instead of patching a roof with no life left.
Unlike some asphalt roofs, cedar has to come off completely. Covering old shakes traps wet wood under the new roof, leaves bumps and adds fuel load, which is why codes generally require a tear-off. A full tear-off exposes the sheathing for a proper check.
What sits under the shakes shapes the whole project. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement is often paired with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair, depending on the cause.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in Kenilworth? Call (908) 613-5001 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
Choose the material
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Local permits and any material rules are confirmed.
Site prep
Gutters, shrubs and patios are covered before the old roof comes off. Cover stored items in the attic, because old wood roofs shed dust inward.
Tear-off
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. Any older layers found underneath are removed at the same time.
Repair the deck
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. Nothing else on the roof works if the deck is weak.
Dry-in
Ice and water membrane goes along the eaves and valleys, then underlayment covers the deck and new drip edge is installed. Cedar gets a ventilated layer, while other roofs get standard underlayment.
Finish the roof
The new roof goes on with new valley metal, step flashing, pipe boots and ridge ventilation. The site is cleaned and swept with magnets before the crew leaves.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Full tear-off
Every layer comes off section by section.
Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment under the new roof.
Debris removal
Old cedar, felt and nails are hauled away leaving the property clean.
Valley metal
Valleys, walls, vents and skylights get new metal for a watertight finish.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Kenilworth, NJ
Sawn cedar shingles were once the default roof on many older houses, and many are now due for replacement. Many were built on open board decks, and some were roofed over decades ago, which means two layers to remove. Once the deck is bare, the roofer decides whether the boards can carry new shingles or need solid sheathing.
New cedar shingles restore the tailored, historic appearance many owners want to keep. Local design rules may limit what can replace a historic wood roof. A roofer in Kenilworth can help you weigh the look, the upkeep and the rules before you decide.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Many cedar roofs being replaced in Kenilworth are the original wood on homes several decades old. For homes in Kenilworth and nearby places including Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, and a roofer can lay out the options side by side.
For cedar shake roof replacement in Kenilworth, NJ or nearby towns like Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle, call (908) 613-5001 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Kenilworth
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Kenilworth is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Kenilworth know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about cedar shake roof replacement
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
New cedar is one option, but there are several others. Synthetic or composite shakes imitate the look with less upkeep, architectural asphalt shingles cost less and are common, and metal or stone-coated steel lasts a long time. Anything other than cedar typically requires sheathing the roof solid.
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
That depends on what goes back on. New cedar can go on sound spaced boards, but asphalt shingles, metal and most synthetic products need solid plywood or OSB. Damaged boards always get replaced.
How long does a cedar roof replacement take?
A typical house takes several working days. Cedar tear-offs produce a lot of debris, and re-decking adds time. The roofer opens only as much roof each day as can be dried in before evening.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Roofing over cedar shakes is a bad idea and is not allowed under most codes. Shakes create an irregular surface and trap moisture under the new roofing. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
That comes down to what you want from the roof. Real cedar looks great and lasts decades with care, while look-alike materials trade some character for lower maintenance. Ask to compare cedar with alternatives first.
More questions? Call (908) 613-5001
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, so the wood can dry and last for decades.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, without tearing off the shakes that still have years left.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Replacing an aging roof with new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Kenilworth roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (908) 613-5001 to talk to a roofer serving Kenilworth, NJ.