Cedar Shake Roofing Guide for Massachusetts Homeowners

Cedar shake roofing is a classic New England choice - beautiful, natural, and historically authentic for the region's architectural heritage. Many historic Massachusetts and Rhode Island homes were originally roofed with cedar, and today's pressure-treated cedar shakes provide improved durability over traditional untreated wood roofing.

This guide covers everything you need to know about cedar shake roofing in New England.

What Is Cedar Shake Roofing?

Cedar shake and cedar shingles are both split or sawn from Western Red Cedar or Eastern White Cedar logs.

Cedar Shingles vs. Cedar Shakes

**Cedar Shingles:** Sawn on both sides, creating a smooth, flat surface on both faces. More uniform in thickness (thicker at the butt, tapered to thin at the top).

**Cedar Shakes:** Hand-split or split-and-sawn, with a rougher, more textured surface. Thicker and more rustic in appearance. Hand-split shakes have texture on both faces; split-and-sawn have a split face and sawn back.

Most homeowners in Massachusetts and Rhode Island choose hand-split and resawn (HPSR) shakes for their premium appearance and good weather performance.

Grades

Cedar roofing is graded by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB):

• •**Grade No. 1 (Blue Label):** 100% clear, edge-grain, no defects. Highest quality, longest lifespan.
• •**Grade No. 2 (Red Label):** May have some flat grain and limited defects. Adequate for most residential applications but shorter lifespan.
• •**Grade No. 3:** Not recommended for roofing in New England.

Roofing Doctors uses only Grade No. 1 cedar on all our Massachusetts and Rhode Island installations.

Cedar Shake Performance in New England

Advantages in Our Climate

• •**Natural insulation:** Cedar has natural insulating properties that reduce heat transfer through the roof
• •**Breathable:** Cedar allows moisture to escape, reducing condensation in the roof system
• •**Character:** Weathers to a beautiful silver-gray that complements New England architectural styles
• •**Historic authenticity:** Appropriate material choice for historic homes seeking period accuracy

Challenges in New England

• •**Moisture:** New England's high humidity and frequent precipitation accelerate the natural degradation of untreated cedar
• •**Moss and algae:** Cedar's porous, rough texture is susceptible to moss and algae growth, particularly in shaded areas or north-facing slopes
• •**Freeze-thaw:** Water absorbed into cedar expands and contracts with freeze-thaw cycles, gradually splitting the wood
• •**Cost of maintenance:** Cedar requires more active maintenance than asphalt to achieve its maximum lifespan

Pressure-Treated Cedar

Modern pressure-treated cedar shakes are impregnated with fire retardant and preservative treatments that improve resistance to moisture, insects, mold, and fire. Most municipalities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island require Class C or Class B fire-rated shake for residential applications; some high-density areas require Class A fire-rated (achieved with pressure treatment or specific installation details).

Cedar Shake Costs in Massachusetts

Cedar shake is among the most expensive residential roofing options:

| Project Type | Cost Range (typical 2,000 sq ft home) |

|---|---|

| Cedar shingles (Grade 1) | $20,000-$30,000 |

| Cedar shakes (HPSR, Grade 1) | $25,000-$40,000 |

| Maintenance treatment (every 5-7 years) | $2,000-$5,000 |

| Partial repair/replacement | $500-$3,000+ |

Factors that affect cost in Massachusetts:

• •Roof pitch and complexity (cedar is more labor-intensive than asphalt)
• •Shake grade and thickness
• •Required fire treatment
• •Underlayment requirements (proper breathing underlayment is essential for cedar longevity)
• •Local labor market

Cedar Shake Lifespan

With proper installation and maintenance, cedar shake roofs can last:

• •**Grade 1 shakes, maintained:** 30-40 years
• •**Grade 1 shakes, unmaintained:** 15-25 years
• •**Grade 2 shakes, maintained:** 20-30 years

The gap between maintained and unmaintained cedar illustrates why maintenance is so critical for this material.

Cedar Shake Installation Requirements

Proper cedar shake installation requires specific techniques that differ from asphalt shingle installation:

Underlayment

Cedar must be installed over a breathable, permeable underlayment - not standard synthetic or felt underlayment, which traps moisture against the wood and accelerates rot. InterWrap or similar breathable underlayment products are specified for cedar installations.

An interlayment (thin felt strips between courses) is traditionally used with hand-split shakes to prevent wind-driven rain from penetrating between the rough surfaces.

Spacing and Exposure

Cedar shakes require precise exposure settings (how much of each shake is visible below the one above). Overexposure reduces overlap and increases leak risk; underexposure wastes material and reduces the natural look.

Ventilation Below the Deck

Some cedar installations use spaced decking (1x4 boards with gaps) rather than solid plywood, allowing air circulation beneath the shakes to dry moisture absorbed during rain. This can significantly extend shake lifespan but requires a contractor experienced in this technique.

Flashing

All metal flashing must be compatible with cedar (avoid zinc or galvanized in direct contact - use copper or stainless steel at cedar contact points to prevent staining and galvanic corrosion).

Cedar Shake Maintenance Program

Cedar shakes in New England require active maintenance to achieve their potential lifespan:

Annual (Homeowner)

• •Clear debris from valleys, gutters, and around penetrations
• •Remove accumulated leaves that trap moisture against the shakes
• •Inspect for split, cracked, or missing shakes and arrange prompt repair

Every 5-7 Years (Professional Treatment)

• •Professional cleaning to remove moss, algae, and discoloration
• •Application of wood preservative treatment
• •Fungicide/algaecide treatment to prevent future biological growth
• •Inspection and replacement of damaged individual shakes and flashings

Skipping maintenance treatments dramatically shortens cedar shake lifespan and often voids any manufacturer warranty on the wood product.

Is Cedar Shake Right for Your Massachusetts Home?

Cedar is a strong choice for:

• •Historic or period homes where authenticity matters
• •Homeowners who appreciate natural materials and the weathered-wood aesthetic
• •Properties where curb appeal and architectural character command a premium
• •Owners committed to the ongoing maintenance program

Cedar may not be right if:

• •Budget is a primary concern (high upfront cost plus maintenance)
• •The home has heavy shading (north-facing or heavily treed - greatly increases moss risk)
• •Coastal salt air exposure is severe (salt accelerates wood degradation)
• •The homeowner prefers a truly low-maintenance roofing material

Alternatives to Natural Cedar

For homeowners who love the cedar aesthetic but prefer lower maintenance, consider:

• •**CeDUR synthetic cedar shakes** - Engineered polymer shakes that mimic cedar appearance with 50-year lifespan and no required maintenance treatments
• •**Metal shingles in cedar profile** - Steel or aluminum panels stamped to mimic cedar shake texture
• •**Brava composite shakes** - Recycled polymer shakes with Class A fire rating and 50-year warranty

Roofing Doctors installs both natural cedar and high-quality synthetic alternatives across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.