Underlayment
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys where water and ice gather.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Westfield, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Westfield 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. Dial (908) 728-6005 to talk with a local roofer about replacing the roof.
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.
A wood roof cannot be covered over. Covering old shakes traps wet wood under the new roof, leaves bumps and adds fuel load, which is why codes generally require a tear-off. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
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. Any soft or split boards are cut out and replaced.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Westfield roofer may also recommend cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in Westfield? Call (908) 728-6005 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Westfield.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
Here is how a roofer usually handles a full cedar replacement.
Plan the new roof
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Permits are pulled and any neighborhood or fire rules are checked.
Protect the property
Gutters, shrubs and patios are covered before the old roof comes off. Spaced sheathing lets debris fall into the attic, so cover anything stored there.
Tear off to the deck
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. If an old asphalt layer was ever laid over the cedar, it comes off too.
Re-deck the roof
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
New roofing is installed with fresh flashing at every wall, valley and penetration. A magnetic sweep of the yard and driveway picks up stray nails.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Deck repair
Damaged sheathing is renewed before anything new goes on.
Full tear-off
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards section by section.
Cleanup
The site is cleaned and swept with magnets leaving the property clean.
New flashing
All flashing is replaced, not reused so no old rusted metal remains.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Westfield, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. Many were built on open board decks, and some were roofed over decades ago, which means two layers to remove. Once the deck is bare, the roofer decides whether the boards can carry new shingles or need solid sheathing.
New cedar shingles restore the tailored, historic appearance many owners want to keep. Some historic districts require it, while others accept materials that imitate wood. Ask a Westfield roofer to compare new cedar shingles with look-alike options for your home.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Westfield, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. From Westfield to neighboring communities such as Garwood, Cranford, Mountainside and Fanwood, 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.
Searching for cedar shake roof replacement near me from Westfield or Garwood, Cranford, Mountainside and Fanwood? Call (908) 728-6005 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Westfield
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the 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. That is why roof repair in Westfield is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Westfield and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
Your own priorities decide it. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. Seeing samples side by side helps.
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
Laying new material over shakes causes more problems than it solves. The old wood stays damp under the new layer and the surface is too uneven to lay flat. A full tear-off is the standard approach.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
That depends on what goes back on. New cedar can go on sound spaced boards, but asphalt shingles, metal and most synthetic products need solid plywood or OSB. Any rotted boards are replaced either way.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
Several materials can replace a cedar roof. Options include new cedar, composite shakes, dimensional asphalt shingles and metal roofing designed to look like shakes. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
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. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. The roof is never left open overnight.
More questions? Call (908) 728-6005
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
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, matched to what a close look at the roof actually finds.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Replacing an aging roof with new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
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