Sheathing
The deck is repaired or sheathed solid so fasteners hold firmly.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Newton, NJ
When cedar shakes in Newton are thin, brittle and leaking in many places, replacement means a full tear-off and a new roof built from the deck up, whether that is new cedar or a different material. Call (973) 858-9950 to reach a local roofer.
Every cedar roof eventually wears past what spot repairs can fix. After decades of weather, shakes lose thickness, split easily and no longer hold a nail, so new pieces have nothing solid to tie into. 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. Tear-off also lets the roofer see and fix every rotted board.
The deck is the biggest question in a cedar replacement. 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. Damaged boards are swapped before anything new goes on.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Newton also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Looking for Newton cedar shake roof replacement? Call (973) 858-9950 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
Here is how a roofer usually handles a full cedar replacement.
Choose the material
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Protect the property
Gutters, shrubs and patios are covered before the old roof comes off. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
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. If an old asphalt layer was ever laid over the cedar, it comes off too.
Sheathing work
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. Nothing else on the roof works if the deck is weak.
Dry-in
Waterproof membrane at the eaves and valleys plus new underlayment protect the house before the finish roof goes on. For new cedar, a breathable mat or spaced boards keep air moving under the shakes.
Final install
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 the replacement includes
Cleanup
Debris is removed daily so the yard is safe to walk.
Ice barrier
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys before the finish roof goes on.
Valley metal
All flashing is replaced, not reused for a watertight finish.
Old roof removal
All shakes, felt and old metal are stripped so the deck can be inspected.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Newton, 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. With everything removed, the boards are checked and repaired or covered with solid sheathing.
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 Newton roofer to compare new cedar shingles with look-alike options for your home.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Newton, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. For homes in Newton and nearby places including Andover, Hopatcong, Allamuchy and Franklin, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
For cedar shake roof replacement in Newton, NJ or nearby towns like Andover, Hopatcong, Allamuchy and Franklin, call (973) 858-9950 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
Roofs in this climate
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, 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. Most homeowners in Newton, 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 Newton know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
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?
You can put cedar back or choose a material that looks like it. Common choices are new cedar, polymer shakes, architectural shingles and metal shake panels. Anything other than cedar typically requires sheathing the roof solid.
How long does a cedar roof replacement take?
The timeline is usually a few days to a week or more for bigger homes. Removing old wood and adding sheathing take time. Sections are dried in at the end of each day.
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.
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
Your own priorities decide it. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
The answer hinges on the new roofing material. Spaced boards work for cedar, while other roofs need a solid deck laid over the boards or in their place. Soft or split boards are replaced no matter what.
More questions? Call (973) 858-9950
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
New cedar shake roofs built with the right sheathing, felt interlay, spacing and stainless fasteners, 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, 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, with the old layers removed and the deck checked.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Replacing an aging shingle roof once repairs no longer hold, including permits, cleanup and a final check.
Learn more
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