Old roof removal
All shakes, felt and old metal are stripped with debris hauled away.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Ridgewood, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Ridgewood starts with removing every old shake and strip of felt interlay, then fixing the boards underneath before the new roof goes on, so the new roof starts on solid, dry wood. Call (551) 370-0363 to reach a local roofer.
Cedar roofs reach a point where repair stops making sense. 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. That is when replacing the roof costs less over time than chasing leaks.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. Shakes are uneven and hold moisture, so anything laid on top sits on a lumpy, damp base, and most codes do not allow roofing over wood shakes. Tear-off also lets the roofer see and fix every rotted board.
What sits under the shakes shapes the whole project. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Ridgewood also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Ridgewood, NJ right now? Call (551) 370-0363 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Ridgewood.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
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.
Prepare the site
Tarps and plywood cover plants, decks and walkways, because cedar tear-offs throw off heavy debris and thousands of old nails. Spaced sheathing lets debris fall into the attic, so cover anything stored there.
Tear-off
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
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. 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 the replacement includes
Debris removal
The site is cleaned and swept with magnets and stray nails are collected.
Valley metal
All flashing is replaced, not reused for a watertight finish.
Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment where water and ice gather.
Sheathing
The deck is repaired or sheathed solid before anything new goes on.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Ridgewood, NJ
Cedar shingle roof replacement is common on older homes, where sawn shingles were the standard roof long before asphalt. 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. After tear-off, the roof deck is inspected and brought up to standard.
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. For a Ridgewood home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Ridgewood, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. From Ridgewood to neighboring communities such as Glen Rock, Midland Park, Waldwick and Hawthorne, the choice between new cedar and a look-alike often comes down to upkeep, fire rules and neighborhood style, so it helps to see samples before the tear-off.
Need cedar shake roof replacement around Ridgewood? Call (551) 370-0363 for a Ridgewood roofer who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects roofs around Ridgewood
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 Ridgewood, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Ridgewood and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about cedar shake roof replacement
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
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. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Covering cedar shakes with a new roof is not a sound approach. 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.
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. Removing old wood and adding sheathing take time. The roof is never left open overnight.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
New cedar is one option, but there are several others. 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. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
That depends on what goes back on. Spaced boards work for cedar, while other roofs need a solid deck laid over the boards or in their place. Damaged boards always get replaced.
More questions? Call (551) 370-0363
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, matched to what a close look at the roof actually finds.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Replacing an aging shingle roof once repairs no longer hold, 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 Ridgewood
Call now for Ridgewood cedar shake roof replacement and help in the towns around it.