Shake Roofing

Cedar character,
installed to last.

Shake roofs give a house texture nothing else matches. We install and repair cedar — and honest synthetic alternatives — with the detailing shake demands.

Shake is a system, not just wood on a roof

Cedar shake needs to breathe. Lay it flat on underlayment like asphalt shingle and it cups, rots, and dies young. We install shake over breathable mesh or skip sheathing so both faces dry, with stainless or hot-dipped fasteners that won't bleed rust streaks down your roof in five years.

Done right, shake weathers to that silver-gray that makes a house look like it grew there.

Real cedar or synthetic — both honest options

Modern synthetic shake has gotten genuinely good: deeper grain, Class A fire ratings, hail ratings, and 50-year warranties, with the look intact from the curb. If you love cedar's reality, we install premium-grade cedar. If you love the look but not the maintenance, we'll show you the synthetics side by side and let the samples argue.

Repair and maintenance

Split, cupped, or missing shakes let water at the felt beneath — replace them promptly and the roof shrugs it off. We also handle moss treatment and the gentle cleaning shake tolerates (never pressure washing, which tears the surface fibers and shortens its life).

Shake Roofing questions, answered

Quality cedar properly installed and ventilated gives 30 to 40 years in our climate. Skipping the ventilation detail can cut that to 15 — which is why our installs breathe.

Cedar wins on authenticity and ages beautifully; synthetic wins on fire rating, hail rating, and zero maintenance. We'll bring samples of both and quote both so it's your call with real numbers.

Yes. Individual shakes and small sections replace cleanly, and new cedar blends in as it weathers. We match thickness and exposure so the repair disappears.

Related services

Shingle Roofing Slate Roofing Roofing

Ready to get a real number?

Free estimates across Washington DC — and 20% off your first project. Call us or send a message and we’ll come take a look.

Call (202) 531-6114 Free estimate