Ice barrier
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys where water and ice gather.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Fairfield, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Fairfield starts with removing every old shake and strip of felt interlay, then fixing the boards underneath before the new roof goes on, with the deck matched to whatever comes next. Dial (973) 858-9960 to talk with a local roofer about replacing the roof.
Every cedar roof eventually wears past what spot repairs can fix. Once shakes are paper thin at the butts, curling across whole slopes and breaking at a touch, the roof is done even if it only leaks in a few spots. At that point a full replacement protects the sheathing and framing underneath.
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. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
What sits under the shakes shapes the whole project. Many older wood roofs were built on spaced boards with gaps for airflow, which works for new cedar but not for asphalt shingles, metal or most synthetic products. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Fairfield also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Fairfield, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-9960 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Planning
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Local permits and any material rules are confirmed.
Site prep
Tarps and plywood cover plants, decks and walkways, because cedar tear-offs throw off heavy debris and thousands of old nails. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
Tear off to the deck
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
Re-deck the roof
Rotted or split boards are replaced, and if the new roof is not cedar, plywood or OSB is laid over the spaced boards or in their place. This is the step that makes the new roof flat and secure.
Lay underlayment
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. For new cedar, a breathable mat or spaced boards keep air moving under the shakes.
Install the new roof
The finish roof is laid with new metal at valleys and walls and a vented ridge. The site is cleaned and swept with magnets before the crew leaves.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Cleanup
Old cedar, felt and nails are hauled away leaving the property clean.
Full tear-off
Every layer comes off section by section.
Deck repair
Damaged sheathing is renewed so fasteners hold firmly.
New flashing
All flashing is replaced, not reused matched to the new roof.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Fairfield, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. Those roofs were usually laid on spaced boards, and some were later covered with a layer of asphalt shingles, so a tear-off can uncover more than one roof. With everything removed, the boards are checked and repaired or covered with solid sheathing.
New cedar shingles restore the tailored, historic appearance many owners want to keep. Some historic districts require it, while others accept materials that imitate wood. A roofer in Fairfield 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 Fairfield are the original wood on homes several decades old. Across Fairfield and nearby towns like Pine Brook, Lincoln Park, Caldwell and Towaco, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, so it helps to see samples before the tear-off.
Need cedar shake roof replacement around Fairfield? Call (973) 858-9960 for a Fairfield roofer who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects roofs around Fairfield
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. 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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Fairfield, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Fairfield know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Covering cedar shakes with a new roof is not a sound approach. The shakes are uneven and hold moisture, so the new roof sits on a lumpy, damp base, and the old wood adds fuel load. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
Most homes take several days, with larger or steep roofs taking longer. Removing old wood and adding sheathing take time. The roofer opens only as much roof each day as can be dried in before evening.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
New cedar is one option, but there are several others. Common choices are new cedar, polymer shakes, architectural shingles and metal shake panels. Anything other than cedar typically requires sheathing the roof solid.
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.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
It comes down to the material you choose. If you switch from cedar, the roof will need solid sheathing. Any rotted boards are replaced either way.
More questions? Call (973) 858-9960
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Cedar roof installation from the sheathing and starter course up to the ridge, so the wood can dry and last for decades.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Cedar roof repairs from single cracked shakes up to worn ridge caps and open valleys, matched to what a close look at the roof actually finds.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Replacing an aging roof with new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, built to current code from the decking out.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, with soft decking fixed before anything new goes on.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed cedar shake roof replacement in Fairfield, NJ?
Call (973) 858-9960 to talk to a roofer serving Fairfield, NJ.