Underlayment
New underlayment and eave membrane protect the deck under the new roof.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Fanwood, NJ
A roofer in Fanwood 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. One call to (908) 663-5020 reaches a nearby cedar roof replacement pro.
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.
Unlike some asphalt roofs, cedar has to come off completely. The surface is too irregular to support new material flat, the old wood traps moisture and building codes typically require removal. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. Many older wood roofs were built on spaced boards with gaps for airflow, which works for new cedar but not for asphalt shingles, metal or most synthetic products. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Fanwood also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in Fanwood? Call (908) 663-5020 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Fanwood.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a cedar roof replacement
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Choose the material
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Prepare the site
Gutters, shrubs and patios are covered before the old roof comes off. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
Tear off to the deck
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
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 the roof
Waterproof membrane at the eaves and valleys plus new underlayment protect the house before the finish roof goes on. The dry-in method depends on the new material.
Install the new roof
The finish roof is laid with new metal at valleys and walls and a vented ridge. A magnetic sweep of the yard and driveway picks up stray nails.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
Full tear-off
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards with debris hauled away.
New flashing
All flashing is replaced, not reused for a watertight finish.
Deck repair
Rotted boards are replaced and solid sheathing is added if needed so fasteners hold firmly.
Debris removal
Old cedar, felt and nails are hauled away so the yard is safe to walk.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Fanwood, 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. After tear-off, the roof deck is inspected and brought up to standard.
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. For a Fanwood home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Cedar roofs around Fanwood reach replacement age on older homes first, often after years of shade and moss. For homes in Fanwood and nearby places including Westfield, Plainfield, Watchung and Mountainside, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
Need cedar shake roof replacement around Fanwood? Call (908) 663-5020 for a Fanwood roofer who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects roofs around Fanwood
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, which is how ice dams form and back 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 Fanwood is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Fanwood
Roofers in Fanwood know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
The answer hinges on the new roofing material. Spaced boards work for cedar, while other roofs need a solid deck laid over the boards or in their place. Damaged boards always get replaced.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
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. Real cedar looks great and lasts decades with care, while look-alike materials trade some character for lower maintenance. Seeing samples side by side helps.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
New cedar is one option, but there are several others. Options include new cedar, composite shakes, dimensional asphalt shingles and metal roofing designed to look like shakes. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
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. Removing the old roof is the right first step.
More questions? Call (908) 663-5020
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, laid to the slope and climate of the house.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, so a sound cedar roof keeps shedding water.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, with the old layers removed and the deck checked.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, with soft decking fixed before anything new goes on.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet cedar shake roof replacement help in Fanwood
Call (908) 663-5020 for a local roofer in Fanwood and nearby towns.