Cleanup
Debris is removed daily so the yard is safe to walk.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement West Milford, NJ
A roofer in West Milford 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 (973) 858-1835 to reach a local roofer.
Cedar roofs reach a point where repair stops making sense. 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.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. 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.
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 West Milford also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in West Milford? Call (973) 858-1835 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a cedar roof replacement
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Plan the new roof
The roofer inspects the deck from the attic, measures the roof and talks through new cedar versus synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal. Local permits and any material rules are confirmed.
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.
Remove the old roof
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.
Sheathing work
Damaged boards are cut out, and the deck is sheathed solid for asphalt, metal or most synthetic products. A sound deck is what the new fasteners rely on.
Dry in the roof
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. The dry-in method depends on the new material.
Install the new 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
Old roof removal
All shakes, felt and old metal are stripped so the deck can be inspected.
Sheathing
The deck is repaired or sheathed solid for the new roofing material.
New flashing
Fresh flashing goes in at every penetration so no old rusted metal remains.
Underlayment
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys under the new roof.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement West Milford, 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. After tear-off, the roof deck is inspected and brought up to standard.
Replacing sawn shingles with new sawn shingles keeps the tight, even look of the original roof. Some historic districts require it, while others accept materials that imitate wood. Ask a West Milford roofer to compare new cedar shingles with look-alike options for your home.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Cedar roofs around West Milford reach replacement age on older homes first, often after years of shade and moss. For homes in West Milford and nearby places including Bloomingdale, Ringwood, Wanaque and Butler, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, so it helps to see samples before the tear-off.
Searching for cedar shake roof replacement near me from West Milford or Bloomingdale, Ringwood, Wanaque and Butler? Call (973) 858-1835 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a roof
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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in West Milford, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Roofers who know West Milford
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across West Milford and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
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?
Several materials can replace a cedar roof. Options include new cedar, composite shakes, dimensional asphalt shingles and metal roofing designed to look like shakes. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
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.
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
The choice depends on the look, maintenance and rules in your area. New cedar keeps the natural look and suits many older homes, but it needs regular cleaning and some care to reach its full life. Ask to compare cedar with alternatives first.
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
Covering cedar shakes with a new roof is not a sound approach. Shakes create an irregular surface and trap moisture under the new roofing. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
The timeline is usually a few days to a week or more for bigger homes. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. Sections are dried in at the end of each day.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1835
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Cedar roof installation from the sheathing and starter course up to the ridge, laid to the slope and climate of the house.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, so a sound cedar roof keeps shedding water.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, 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, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet cedar shake roof replacement help in West Milford
Call (973) 858-1835 to talk to a roofer serving West Milford, NJ.