Ice barrier
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys under the new roof.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Closter, NJ
When cedar shakes in Closter are thin, brittle and leaking in many places, replacement means a full tear-off and a new roof built from the deck up, with the deck matched to whatever comes next. One call to (551) 395-0646 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.
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. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
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. Damaged boards are swapped before anything new goes on.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement is often paired with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Closter, NJ right now? Call (551) 395-0646 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
Here is how a roofer usually handles a full cedar replacement.
Planning
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Prepare the site
Tarps and plywood cover plants, decks and walkways, because cedar tear-offs throw off heavy debris and thousands of old nails. Cover stored items in the attic, because old wood roofs shed dust inward.
Tear-off
Every shake, felt interlay strip, old nail and rusted valley metal comes off, down to bare boards. Any older layers found underneath are removed at the same time.
Repair the deck
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. 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. Cedar gets a ventilated layer, while other roofs get standard underlayment.
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
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
Valley metal
All flashing is replaced, not reused for a watertight finish.
Sheathing
Rotted boards are replaced and solid sheathing is added if needed before anything new goes on.
Full tear-off
All shakes, felt and old metal are stripped so the deck can be inspected.
Debris removal
Debris is removed daily so the yard is safe to walk.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Closter, 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.
Putting cedar shingles back preserves the character of an older house. If your home is in a historic area, check what materials are allowed. A roofer in Closter can help you weigh the look, the upkeep and the rules before you decide.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Closter, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. Across Closter and nearby towns like Demarest, Norwood, Harrington Park and Haworth, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
Need cedar shake roof replacement around Closter? Call (551) 395-0646 for a Closter roofer who serves the towns around it too.
Roofs in this climate
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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Closter, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Closter 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
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
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.
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
The choice depends on the look, maintenance and rules in your area. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. Ask to compare cedar with alternatives first.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
You can put cedar back or choose a material that looks like it. Synthetic or composite shakes imitate the look with less upkeep, architectural asphalt shingles cost less and are common, and metal or stone-coated steel lasts a long time. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
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 full tear-off is the standard approach.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
A typical house takes several working days. Cedar tear-offs produce a lot of debris, and re-decking adds time. The roofer opens only as much roof each day as can be dried in before evening.
More questions? Call (551) 395-0646
Other services that may help
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
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, with the old layers removed and the deck checked.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, including permits, cleanup and a final check.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed cedar shake roof replacement in Closter, NJ?
Call (551) 395-0646 to talk to a roofer serving Closter, NJ.