Synthetic cedar shake roofing is a molded polymer shingle that mimics hand-split wood cedar and runs about $12 to $20 per square foot installed, versus roughly $20 to $30 per square foot for real cedar. The synthetic version carries a Class A fire rating out of the box, lasts 40 to 50 years, and needs no staining or sealing. Real cedar looks authentic on day one but demands recurring maintenance and, untreated, only reaches a Class C fire rating. This guide compares the two on cost, fire, maintenance, and lifespan so you can see where each actually wins.
What is synthetic cedar shake roofing?
Synthetic cedar shake roofing is a composite shingle molded from polymer, polyurethane, or recycled plastic and rubber to copy the grain, thickness, and shadow lines of split cedar. Manufacturers cast the tiles from real wood shakes, so a finished roof reads as natural cedar from the ground while behaving like an engineered product. The category is also sold as composite cedar shake, faux cedar shake roof, and polymer shake shingles.
The three names buyers see most are DaVinci Roofscapes, CeDUR, and Brava Roof Tile. Each molds its own polymer blend, and profiles vary from about 5/8 inch to 7/8 inch thick to build the depth that makes the imitation convincing. Color runs through the material rather than sitting on the surface, so a scratch does not expose a different color underneath.
How much does synthetic cedar shake roofing cost?
Synthetic cedar shake roofing costs about $12 to $20 per square foot installed, or roughly $1,200 to $2,000 per roofing square (100 square feet). Materials alone run about $8 to $12 per square foot for most polymer lines, with the balance going to labor, underlayment, flashing, and disposal. A 2,000 square foot roof surface lands in a broad $24,000 to $40,000 range depending on brand, pitch, region, and access.
Pricing splits by brand. The table below shows representative material-only ranges pulled from published 2025 to 2026 supplier and roofer figures. Installed cost adds labor, which varies by market.
| Product | Material cost (per sq ft) | Material cost (per square) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci (polymer shake) | $4.00 to $6.50 | $400 to $650 | Lifetime limited, prorated after year 10 |
| Brava (composite shake) | $7.00 to $12.00 | $770 to $1,150 | 50 year, not prorated first 10 years, transferable |
| CeDUR (synthetic shake) | $8.00 to $12.00 | $800 to $1,200 | 50 year limited, prorated years 11 to 50 |
For context on where synthetic shake sits against every other material, our roofing materials comparison ranks options by cost, lifespan, and priority. Synthetic shake typically prices two to three times a standard architectural asphalt roof.
Synthetic shake vs real cedar: side-by-side
Real cedar wins on authentic look and initial charm. Synthetic wins on fire rating, maintenance, warranty, and total cost over a 40-year horizon. The table below isolates the differences that drive most buying decisions.
| Factor | Synthetic cedar shake | Real cedar shake |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $12 to $20 per sq ft | $20 to $30+ per sq ft |
| Lifespan | 40 to 50+ years | 20 to 30 years with upkeep |
| Fire rating (as delivered) | Class A (highest) | Class C untreated; Class B or C treated |
| Impact rating | Class 4 (highest) | Not impact rated |
| Routine maintenance | Rinse as needed; no staining or sealing | Periodic cleaning, moss treatment, resealing |
| Material warranty | 50 year to lifetime limited | Usually none; workmanship only |
| Rot, split, curl, insects | Not susceptible | Susceptible over time |
Is synthetic cedar shake more fire resistant than real cedar?
Yes. Leading synthetic cedar shakes such as CeDUR carry a Class A fire rating, the highest, with no special fire-resistant underlayment required to reach that rating. Untreated real cedar is the opposite end: it is often treated as Class C, the lowest, and in wildfire-prone jurisdictions untreated wood roofs may be restricted or banned outright.
Real cedar can be upgraded, but it takes work. Pressure-impregnated fire-retardant shakes carry a red Certi-Guard label for Class B or a blue label for Class C, per the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau. Reaching a full Class A assembly with wood generally requires Class B fire-rated shakes installed over an asphalt cap sheet, an added system that synthetic shake does not need. If wildfire exposure is your main concern, see our guide to fire resistant roofing and Class A materials.
How long does each roof last?
Synthetic cedar shake lasts about 40 to 50 years or more, while real cedar lasts roughly 20 to 30 years and only reaches the top of that band with disciplined maintenance. The polymer version resists the rot, splitting, curling, and insect damage that shorten a wood roof, which is why the manufacturer warranties stretch to 50 years or a lifetime term.
Field lifespan for real cedar depends heavily on climate. Shaded, damp roofs grow moss and hold moisture, cutting years off the deck. Our 2026 roofing material lifespan report tracks real field data against manufacturer marketing claims across material types, including where wood and synthetic actually land.
What maintenance does each require?
Synthetic cedar shake needs almost nothing: an occasional rinse to clear debris, and no staining, sealing, or fungicide treatment. Real cedar needs an active maintenance cycle to hit its lifespan, and skipping it is the most common reason a wood roof fails early.
A real cedar shake roof typically needs the following on a recurring schedule:
- Clear debris and keep the roof free of standing organic matter that traps moisture.
- Treat and remove moss and algae before they lift and rot shakes.
- Reapply oil, stain, or preservative on a multi-year cycle to slow drying and cracking.
- Replace individual split, curled, or cracked shakes as they fail.
For homeowners keeping natural cedar, our cedar shake roof maintenance guide covers cleaning, treating, and care in detail, and our cedar shake roof repair guide walks through replacing failed shakes and the cost of upkeep.
Does synthetic cedar shake look like real wood?
From ground level, modern synthetic cedar shake is difficult to tell apart from split wood. Manufacturers mold the tiles from actual cedar shakes and vary thickness from about 5/8 inch to 7/8 inch to cast deep shadow lines, and they blend multiple color tones through the material to avoid a flat, repeating look. Close inspection reveals the difference; from the curb, most people cannot.
Because color is molded through the polymer rather than coated on, synthetic shake holds its appearance longer than wood, which silvers and greys as it weathers. Buyers who want the cedar aesthetic without the fade often choose synthetic for this reason alone.
Is synthetic cedar shake worth it?
Synthetic cedar shake is usually worth it when you want the cedar look but not the cedar upkeep, live in a fire-rated or hail-prone area, or plan to stay in the home long enough to bank the lower lifetime cost. It carries a higher price than asphalt, so the value case rests on avoided maintenance, the longer lifespan, and the Class A and Class 4 ratings that can matter for insurance and code.
Real cedar still makes sense for buyers who specifically want a genuine wood roof, accept the maintenance, and are not in a wildfire-restricted zone. The choice is less about which is objectively better and more about whether you are buying a look with obligations or an engineered look-alike that removes them. Confirm any HOA or historic-district rules before ordering, since some require natural materials and others now accept approved synthetics.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a synthetic cedar shake roof cost?
Synthetic cedar shake roofing costs about $12 to $20 per square foot installed, or roughly $1,200 to $2,000 per roofing square. Materials alone run about $8 to $12 per square foot for most polymer lines. A typical 2,000 square foot roof surface lands in a $24,000 to $40,000 range depending on brand, pitch, region, and roof access.
Is synthetic cedar shake cheaper than real cedar?
Yes. Synthetic cedar shake runs about $12 to $20 per square foot installed, while real cedar shake runs roughly $20 to $30 or more. Synthetic also avoids the recurring staining, sealing, and moss treatment real cedar needs, so its total cost over a 40-year horizon is typically lower even before counting the longer lifespan.
How long does synthetic cedar shake roofing last?
Synthetic cedar shake lasts about 40 to 50 years or more, compared with roughly 20 to 30 years for real cedar. The polymer resists the rot, splitting, curling, and insect damage that shorten a wood roof, which is why manufacturers back it with 50 year to lifetime limited warranties. Real cedar carries no material warranty in most cases.
What fire rating does synthetic cedar shake have?
Leading synthetic cedar shakes carry a Class A fire rating, the highest, with no special fire-resistant underlayment required. Untreated real cedar is often Class C, the lowest. Real cedar can reach Class B or C with pressure-impregnated fire-retardant treatment, and a full Class A wood assembly generally requires Class B shakes over an asphalt cap sheet.
Does synthetic cedar shake look like real wood?
From ground level, modern synthetic cedar shake is difficult to distinguish from split wood. Tiles are molded from real cedar shakes, vary from about 5/8 inch to 7/8 inch thick to create shadow lines, and blend multiple tones through the material. Because color runs through the polymer, it holds its look longer than wood, which greys as it weathers.
Will an HOA allow synthetic cedar shake roofing?
It depends on the community. Some HOAs and historic districts require genuine natural materials, while many now accept approved synthetic cedar shake because it replicates the wood look and carries Class A fire and Class 4 impact ratings. Confirm the rules and get written approval before ordering, since acceptance varies by jurisdiction and governing documents.