BREATHTAKING CEDAR SHAKE ROOF REPLACEMENT
Smucker’s Exteriors & Remodeling is a 5-Star rated, experienced Amish contractor in Pennsylvania. We offer all sorts of roofing services including commercial roof re-coating, asphalt residential roofing, and custom roofing services including cedar roof replacement.
This was a really enjoyable and beautiful cedar roof replacement we got to take care of in Newton, PA. For this project, the homeowner chose cedar shake shingles to cover his home instead of cedar shingles. Cedar shake shingles are less uniform in their appearance which adds a very rustic element to the look of the new roof.
We had a great time restoring this roof. As we removed the existing cedar roof we uncovered extensive rot and damage. You never know what’s going on underneath your roof. If your roof is between 15 and 20 years old you may want to consider a roof inspection to evaluate the health and strength of your roof.
BEFORE AND AFTER THE NEW CEDAR ROOF INSTALLATION!
HOW LONG DO CEDAR SHINGLES LAST?
You might think that because cedar roofs are made of wood they wouldn’t last as long as asphalt shingles or some other traditional roof materials. That’s actually not the case. Cedar shingles have been known to last more than 50 years with proper care and cleaning. On average, cedar shingles last about 30 years! You can get a lot of life and protection from cedar shingles as long as you choose quality products and keep your roof clean as much as possible.
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR CEDAR ROOF?
There are a number of things you can do to prevent the early failure of your cedar roof. Cedarwood actually has intrinsic properties that make it more resistant to inclement weather and rot. This makes cedar roofs superior to other wooden roofing options. Cedar shingle roofs also provide a very appealing aesthetic. They are impressively resilient to high winds and rain and this is why you see so many beach townhomes with cedar shake and cedar shingle roofs.
1. CHOOSE TREATED CEDAR SHINGLES
One way to protect your cedar roof whether it is a cedar shingle roof or a cedar shake roof is to choose pressure-treated cedar roof materials. This may seem obvious but it’s worth mentioning. Pressure-treated cedar roof materials will last longer than untreated cedar. Knowing that a well-cared-for cedar roof can last upwards of 50 years makes it an easy choice to choose high-quality cedarwood.
2. KEEP YOUR CEDAR ROOF DRY
A great way to extend the life of your cedar roof and prevent premature failure is to keep your cedar roof as dry as possible. You can’t do anything about rain, wind, or snow but you can do things to allow as much sunlight as possible to reach your roof. The more sun your cedar roof is exposed to the faster it will dry off and the faster snow will melt and disappear. You can trim tree limbs that are shading parts of your roof from direct sunlight, that’s the best way to get your cedar roof maximum sunlight.
3. REGULARLY CLEAN OFF YOUR CEDAR SHAKE ROOF
Naturally, cedar is more susceptible to things like moss and mold growth because it is an organic product. You allow leaves and branches and other debris to sit on your roof, the more mold and moss will take hold of your roof. If you have moss or mold on your cedar roof already you should clear it off as quickly as possible. And going along with the last point, the more shade overhanging tree branches are creating, the easier it will be for moss and mold to begin to grow. Trimming any tree branches that are casting shade on your cedar roof will help to keep moss and mold at bay.
REPLACING THIS NEWTON PA CEDAR ROOF
Enjoy the breakdown of actually replacing this Newton, PA cedar roof. We removed all of the existing cedar roof, this revealed extensive underlying problems with the roof support system. We then repaired all of the underlying damage and fixed the existing leaks. The last phase of this project in Newton was to install the brand new cedar shake roof.
REMOVING ALL THE OLD CEDAR SHAKE SHINGLES
Typical of all roof replacement projects, the first step was to remove all of the old cedar roof. We discovered some serious damage that was going on underneath the cedar. When we perform the demolition phase of any project we are meticulous in our site cleanup and management. We clean up neatly every day before leaving your home so that you never feel like you are leaving in a chaotic construction zone.
REPAIRING THE DAMAGE BENEATH THE CEDAR ROOF
You can see in the pictures below that there were a lot of rotten wood supports, mold damage, and decay. We replaced everything that was damaged and failing before installing the new cedar shakes. This can happen to any roof. Once water and moisture begin to find their way underneath the protective surface of your roof, rot can spread easily. Taking care of your existing roof and repairing any existing leaks can stave off total roof replacement. Take care of your roof so that it can protect you and your family.
INSTALLING THE NEW CEDAR SHAKE ROOF
The final and most satisfying stage in the process was to install the new cedar shakes on this roof. Cedar shakes turn out with a breathtaking appearance due to them being slightly less uniform than cedar shingles. The light color of the new cedar and the shake styling produced a beautiful finished product that all involved were pleased with.
