Cedar shake roofing is a natural wood roof made from Western Red Cedar or Alaskan Yellow Cedar, split or sawn into thick tapered pieces. Real cedar shakes typically last about 30 to 40 years, cost roughly $8 to $22 per square foot installed, and hold up best in dry, well-ventilated conditions. In wet or shaded climates they demand steady maintenance to hold off moss, algae, and rot. This guide covers how shakes differ from shingles, how cedar is graded, fire treatment options, lifespan, cost, and where real cedar loses ground to composite alternatives.
By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Shakes vs shingles: split vs sawn
The words are often used interchangeably, but they describe two different products graded by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) under its Certi-Label program.
- Cedar shingles are machine-sawn on both faces, so they are thinner, smooth, and uniform. The CSSB brands sawn shingles as Certigrade.
- Cedar shakes are thicker and more textured. Certi-Split shakes are hand-split for a rugged, irregular face, while Certi-Sawn (tapersawn) shakes are split and then sawn on the back for a face that is rustic but slightly more regular.
Because shakes are thicker and hand-split, they cost more and take longer to install than shingles. Shingles give a cleaner, more formal look; shakes give the deep shadow lines many owners associate with cedar.
Cedar grades: Blue Label, Red Label, and beyond
Grade drives both price and durability. The CSSB grading you will see on a bundle label refers mainly to sawn shingles, while shakes carry their own premium and number one designations.
For Certigrade sawn shingles:
- No. 1 Blue Label: the premium grade, cut from heartwood, 100 percent clear, 100 percent edge grain, and free of sapwood. This is the grade generally specified for roofs.
- No. 2 Red Label: a mid grade that allows limited flat grain and some sapwood above the clear exposure. Often used for re-roofing at a lower cost.
- No. 3 Black Label: a utility grade for economy applications and secondary buildings.
- No. 4 (undercoursing): not a finish roofing grade; used as a starter or under course only.
Certi-Split and Certi-Sawn shakes are typically sold in Premium and No. 1 grades. When comparing bids, confirm the exact grade in writing, because the same roof in Blue Label heartwood can cost meaningfully more than a lower grade that will not last as long.
Wood species: Western Red Cedar vs Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Most cedar roofs in North America use Western Red Cedar, which is naturally rich in oils and tannins that resist decay and insects. Alaskan Yellow Cedar is harder and often rated as more rot resistant, but it is usually more expensive and less widely stocked. Both weather to a silver-gray over time unless treated or stained.
Fire treatment and roof class ratings
Untreated cedar is combustible, which matters in wildfire-prone areas where local code may require a rated roof assembly. The CSSB Certi-Guard program covers cedar that has been pressure-impregnated with fire-retardant chemicals:
- Class B treated shakes and shingles carry a red Certi-Guard label.
- Class C treated shakes and shingles carry a blue Certi-Guard label.
- Class A can be reached with a Certi-Guard component system that pairs treated cedar with additional rated underlayment layers, per the treatment company details.
Fire class requirements vary by jurisdiction, and some wildland-urban-interface areas restrict or ban wood roofs outright. Check the local code before specifying cedar. For how these classes are tested and what they cover, see our explainer on shingle fire and impact ratings.
Cedar shakes vs cedar shingles at a glance
| Attribute | Cedar shingles (sawn) | Cedar shakes (split or tapersawn) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacture | Machine-sawn both faces | Hand-split, or split then sawn |
| Look | Smooth, uniform, formal | Thick, textured, rustic shadow lines |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical installed cost | About $6 to $10 per sq ft | About $8 to $22 per sq ft |
| CSSB brand | Certigrade | Certi-Split, Certi-Sawn |
| Interlayment felt | Not required | 18-inch No. 30 felt between courses |
Cost ranges reflect widely published 2026 installed figures from roofing cost guides and vary by region, roof complexity, grade, and labor market. Premium Western Red Cedar in some markets runs $25 to $30 per square foot. Treat any single number as a starting point, not a quote.
Lifespan and what shortens it
The CSSB and multiple roofing sources put average cedar roof life around 30 to 40 years, and shakes generally outlast shingles because they are thicker. With disciplined maintenance a cedar roof can reach 50 years; with none, it can fail in 15 to 20 years. Several factors move the number:
- Climate: constant moisture, deep shade, and humidity shorten life. Sunny, dry, breezy roofs last longer.
- Attic ventilation: cedar needs to dry from both sides. Poor ventilation traps moisture under the shakes and speeds rot. This is one of the most overlooked longevity factors.
- Grade and species: Blue Label heartwood and yellow cedar resist decay longer than lower grades.
- Maintenance cadence: roofs that are cleaned and treated on schedule outlast neglected ones.
Cost per square foot
Installed cedar shingle roofs commonly land around $6 to $10 per square foot, while shakes commonly land around $8 to $22 per square foot, depending on grade, region, and complexity. A roofing square is 100 square feet, so a 20-square roof can range widely once grade and labor are set. Fire treatment, steep pitches, and complex rooflines add cost. Because these numbers move with lumber and labor markets, get itemized bids that name the exact grade and treatment.
Maintenance and the wet-climate trade-off
Cedar is a living material that must shed water and dry out to survive. In humid, coastal, or heavily shaded settings, moss, algae, and lichen colonize the surface and trap moisture against the wood, which accelerates rot at the exposed butt ends and around nail penetrations. Typical upkeep includes:
- Keeping the roof clear of leaves, needles, and debris that hold moisture.
- Removing moss and algae before they establish, often with a professional cleaning every few years in wet regions.
- Periodic preservative or fungicide treatment, depending on climate and manufacturer guidance.
- Trimming overhanging branches to increase sun and airflow.
If a home sits in deep shade or a consistently wet climate and the owner does not want that maintenance load, cedar may not be the right long-term choice.
Code and installation basics
The International Residential Code addresses wood roofing in Section R905, with wood shingles under R905.7 and wood shakes under R905.8 in the 2018 and 2021 editions. Requirements and local amendments vary, so confirm the edition your jurisdiction enforces. A few durability-driven practices are standard for cedar:
- Spaced or solid sheathing: spaced sheathing lets the underside of the shakes breathe, which many cedar specifiers prefer in humid regions.
- Interlayment: Certi-Split shakes are installed with an 18-inch-wide strip of No. 30 felt between each course, laid so the felt sits above the butt line.
- Underlayment and starter course: a proper underlayment and doubled starter course at the eave protect the deck. See our underlayment review for synthetic options.
- Corrosion-resistant fasteners: stainless or hot-dipped galvanized nails resist the reaction between cedar tannins and cheaper fasteners.
Real cedar vs composite shake
Composite or synthetic shake products imitate the look of split cedar using polymer blends, and they trade the natural grain for lower maintenance and higher fire and impact ratings. Real cedar wins on authenticity and can be repaired shake by shake; composite wins on upkeep and consistency. For a direct comparison of two leading synthetic lines, see our breakdown of DaVinci vs Brava composite roofing. The right pick depends on climate, budget, fire code, and how much maintenance an owner will actually do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cedar shakes and cedar shingles?
Cedar shingles are machine-sawn on both faces, so they are thinner, smooth, and uniform. Cedar shakes are thicker and either hand-split or split then sawn, giving a rougher, more textured surface. Shakes generally cost more and last a bit longer because of the extra thickness.
How long does a cedar shake roof last?
Most sources put the average around 30 to 40 years. With consistent maintenance and good attic ventilation a cedar roof can approach 50 years, while a neglected roof in a wet climate can fail in 15 to 20 years.
How much does a cedar shake roof cost per square foot?
Installed cedar shingle roofs commonly run about $6 to $10 per square foot and cedar shakes about $8 to $22 per square foot, depending on grade, region, and roof complexity. Premium Western Red Cedar can reach $25 to $30 per square foot in some markets.
Are cedar shake roofs fire rated?
Untreated cedar is combustible, but pressure-impregnated Certi-Guard cedar carries fire ratings: Class B under a red label and Class C under a blue label, with Class A achievable through a rated component system. Local wildfire codes may still restrict wood roofs, so check the jurisdiction first.
Do cedar shake roofs work in wet or humid climates?
They can, but they need more upkeep. In humid, coastal, or shaded settings moss and algae trap moisture and speed rot, so regular cleaning, treatment, and strong attic ventilation are needed to reach a normal lifespan.