Debris removal
Debris is removed daily and stray nails are collected.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Scotch Plains, NJ
A roofer in Scotch Plains can replace a worn-out cedar shake roof by tearing off the old shakes and felt down to the sheathing, repairing or adding decking and installing a new roof, so the new roof starts on solid, dry wood. Call (908) 562-6873 to reach a local roofer.
Every cedar roof eventually wears past what spot repairs can fix. 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. At that point a full replacement protects the sheathing and framing underneath.
Unlike some asphalt roofs, cedar has to come off completely. The surface is too irregular to support new material flat, the old wood traps moisture and building codes typically require removal. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Damaged boards are swapped before anything new goes on.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Scotch Plains roofer may also recommend cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in Scotch Plains? Call (908) 562-6873 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a cedar roof replacement
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Choose the material
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Protect the property
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 to the deck
The old shakes and felt are stripped section by section so the roof is never left open longer than needed. Any older layers found underneath are removed at the same time.
Re-deck the roof
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. A sound deck is what the new fasteners rely on.
Dry in the roof
Ice and water membrane goes along the eaves and valleys, then underlayment covers the deck and new drip edge is installed. The dry-in method depends on the new material.
Install the new roof
New roofing is installed with fresh flashing at every wall, valley and penetration. Cleanup includes rolling a magnet over the lawn for nails.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
Deck repair
Damaged sheathing is renewed for the new roofing material.
Ice barrier
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys under the new roof.
New flashing
All flashing is replaced, not reused so no old rusted metal remains.
Full tear-off
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards with debris hauled away.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Scotch Plains, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. It is common to find original shingles hidden under a later asphalt roof, both of which come off. 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. If your home is in a historic area, check what materials are allowed. Ask a Scotch Plains roofer to compare new cedar shingles with look-alike options for your home.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Many cedar roofs being replaced in Scotch Plains are the original wood on homes several decades old. Across Scotch Plains and nearby towns like Fanwood, Westfield, Garwood and Plainfield, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
Searching for cedar shake roof replacement near me from Scotch Plains or Fanwood, Westfield, Garwood and Plainfield? Call (908) 562-6873 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Scotch Plains is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Roofers who know Scotch Plains
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Scotch Plains and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
You can put cedar back or choose a material that looks like it. 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. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
It comes down to the material you choose. New cedar can go on sound spaced boards, but asphalt shingles, metal and most synthetic products need solid plywood or OSB. Any rotted boards are replaced either way.
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.
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
Roofing over cedar shakes is a bad idea and is not allowed under most codes. The old wood stays damp under the new layer and the surface is too uneven to lay flat. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
Your own priorities decide it. New cedar keeps the natural look and suits many older homes, but it needs regular cleaning and some care to reach its full life. Seeing samples side by side helps.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6873
Often needed together
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
Repairs for split shakes, rot at the butts, moss buildup and leaking valleys on wood roofs, without tearing off the shakes that still have years left.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Full tear-off and replacement for roofs that are worn out, storm beaten or leaking in several places, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, with soft decking fixed before anything new goes on.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Scotch Plains roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (908) 562-6873 for a local roofer in Scotch Plains and nearby towns.