Valley metal
Fresh flashing goes in at every penetration so no old rusted metal remains.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Rutherford, NJ
A roofer in Rutherford can replace a worn-out cedar shake roof by tearing off the old shakes and felt down to the sheathing, repairing or adding decking and installing a new roof, whether that is new cedar or a different material. Call (551) 380-1579 to reach a local roofer.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. 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.
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.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. If new cedar goes back on, sound spaced boards can stay, but switching to another material means sheathing the roof solid. Damaged boards are swapped before anything new goes on.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Rutherford roofer may also recommend cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Looking for Rutherford cedar shake roof replacement? Call (551) 380-1579 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
Plan the new roof
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Local permits and any material rules are confirmed.
Site prep
The crew protects landscaping, siding and windows and sets a dumpster close to the house. Cover stored items in the attic, because old wood roofs shed dust inward.
Remove the old roof
The old shakes and felt are stripped section by section so the roof is never left open longer than needed. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
Repair the deck
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. A sound deck is what the new fasteners rely on.
Lay underlayment
Ice and water membrane goes along the eaves and valleys, then underlayment covers the deck and new drip edge is installed. The dry-in method depends on the new material.
Finish the roof
The new roof goes on with new valley metal, step flashing, pipe boots and ridge ventilation. A magnetic sweep of the yard and driveway picks up stray nails.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Old roof removal
All shakes, felt and old metal are stripped so the deck can be inspected.
Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment under the new roof.
Debris removal
Old cedar, felt and nails are hauled away so the yard is safe to walk.
Sheathing
Damaged sheathing is renewed for the new roofing material.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Rutherford, NJ
Sawn cedar shingles were once the default roof on many older houses, and many are now due for replacement. It is common to find original shingles hidden under a later asphalt roof, both of which come off. Once the deck is bare, the roofer decides whether the boards can carry new shingles or need solid sheathing.
Putting cedar shingles back preserves the character of an older house. Local design rules may limit what can replace a historic wood roof. A roofer in Rutherford can help you weigh the look, the upkeep and the rules before you decide.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Rutherford, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. For homes in Rutherford and nearby places including East Rutherford, Wallington, Carlstadt and North Arlington, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, and a roofer can lay out the options side by side.
Searching for cedar shake roof replacement near me from Rutherford or East Rutherford, Wallington, Carlstadt and North Arlington? Call (551) 380-1579 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Rutherford
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. 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. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Rutherford, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Rutherford 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.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement FAQ
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. Any rotted boards are replaced either way.
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. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Roofing over cedar shakes is a bad idea and is not allowed under most codes. 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.
How long does a cedar roof replacement take?
Most homes take several days, with larger or steep roofs taking longer. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. The roof is never left open overnight.
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
That comes down to what you want from the roof. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
More questions? Call (551) 380-1579
Often needed together
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Cedar roof installation from the sheathing and starter course up to the ridge, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Repairs for split shakes, rot at the butts, moss buildup and leaking valleys on wood roofs, without tearing off the shakes that still have years left.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, built to current code from the decking out.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, with soft decking fixed before anything new goes on.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Rutherford roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (551) 380-1579 to talk to a roofer serving Rutherford, NJ.