Debris removal
The site is cleaned and swept with magnets and stray nails are collected.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Cranford, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Cranford starts with removing every old shake and strip of felt interlay, then fixing the boards underneath before the new roof goes on, with the deck matched to whatever comes next. Call (908) 562-6887 to reach a local roofer.
Every cedar roof eventually wears past what spot repairs can fix. Once shakes are paper thin at the butts, curling across whole slopes and breaking at a touch, the roof is done even if it only leaks in a few spots. At that point a full replacement protects the sheathing and framing underneath.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. The surface is too irregular to support new material flat, the old wood traps moisture and building codes typically require removal. A full tear-off exposes the sheathing for a proper check.
The deck is the biggest question in a cedar replacement. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Cranford also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Cranford, NJ right now? Call (908) 562-6887 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Cranford.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
Here is how a roofer usually handles a full cedar replacement.
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.
Prepare the site
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.
Remove the old roof
The old shakes and felt are stripped section by section so the roof is never left open longer than needed. If an old asphalt layer was ever laid over the cedar, it comes off too.
Repair the deck
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. This is the step that makes the new roof flat and secure.
Dry in the roof
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. For new cedar, a breathable mat or spaced boards keep air moving under the shakes.
Install the new roof
New roofing is installed with fresh flashing at every wall, valley and penetration. The site is cleaned and swept with magnets before the crew leaves.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Valley metal
All flashing is replaced, not reused matched to the new roof.
Old roof removal
All shakes, felt and old metal are stripped with debris hauled away.
Deck repair
Damaged sheathing is renewed so fasteners hold firmly.
Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment where water and ice gather.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Cranford, NJ
Cedar shingle roof replacement is common on older homes, where sawn shingles were the standard roof long before asphalt. Those roofs were usually laid on spaced boards, and some were later covered with a layer of asphalt shingles, so a tear-off can uncover more than one roof. With everything removed, the boards are checked and repaired or covered with solid sheathing.
New cedar shingles restore the tailored, historic appearance many owners want to keep. Local design rules may limit what can replace a historic wood roof. Ask a Cranford roofer to compare new cedar shingles with look-alike options for your home.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Cranford, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. For homes in Cranford and nearby places including Garwood, Westfield, Kenilworth and Roselle Park, 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 Cranford or Garwood, Westfield, Kenilworth and Roselle Park? Call (908) 562-6887 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Cranford
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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Cranford, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Cranford know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
What can I replace my cedar shake roof with?
New cedar is one option, but there are several others. Common choices are new cedar, polymer shakes, architectural shingles and metal shake panels. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
The answer hinges on the new roofing material. If you switch from cedar, the roof will need solid sheathing. Any rotted boards are replaced either way.
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
Laying new material over shakes causes more problems than it solves. 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?
A typical house takes several working days. Removing old wood and adding sheathing take time. The roof is never left open overnight.
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
That comes down to what you want from the roof. Real cedar looks great and lasts decades with care, while look-alike materials trade some character for lower maintenance. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6887
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
New cedar shake roofs built with the right sheathing, felt interlay, spacing and stainless fasteners, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Cedar roof repairs from single cracked shakes up to worn ridge caps and open valleys, without tearing off the shakes that still have years left.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Replacing an aging roof with new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, built to current code from the decking out.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Replacing an aging shingle roof once repairs no longer hold, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet cedar shake roof replacement help in Cranford
Call (908) 562-6887 to talk to a roofer serving Cranford, NJ.