Old roof removal
Every layer comes off section by section.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Oradell, NJ
A roofer in Oradell 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, so the new roof starts on solid, dry wood. Call (551) 383-2310 to reach a local roofer.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. 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.
Unlike some asphalt roofs, cedar has to come off completely. 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.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. 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.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Oradell also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Oradell, NJ right now? Call (551) 383-2310 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Plan the new roof
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Permits are pulled and any neighborhood or fire rules are checked.
Protect the property
The crew protects landscaping, siding and windows and sets a dumpster close to the house. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
Remove the old roof
Every shake, felt interlay strip, old nail and rusted valley metal comes off, down to bare boards. If an old asphalt layer was ever laid over the cedar, it comes off too.
Repair the deck
Damaged boards are cut out, and the deck is sheathed solid for asphalt, metal or most synthetic products. 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 new roof goes on with new valley metal, step flashing, pipe boots and ridge ventilation. The site is cleaned and swept with magnets before the crew leaves.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
New flashing
Fresh flashing goes in at every penetration so no old rusted metal remains.
Underlayment
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys under the new roof.
Sheathing
The deck is repaired or sheathed solid before anything new goes on.
Cleanup
The site is cleaned and swept with magnets leaving the property clean.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Oradell, 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. If your home is in a historic area, check what materials are allowed. For an Oradell home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Oradell, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. Across Oradell and nearby towns like Emerson, New Milford, Haworth and Paramus, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, so it helps to see samples before the tear-off.
For cedar shake roof replacement in Oradell, NJ or nearby towns like Emerson, New Milford, Haworth and Paramus, call (551) 383-2310 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. 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. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Oradell is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Oradell and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about cedar shake roof replacement
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Covering cedar shakes with a new roof is not a sound approach. The old wood stays damp under the new layer and the surface is too uneven to lay flat. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
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. Damaged boards always get replaced.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
Several materials can replace a cedar roof. 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.
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. Removing old wood and adding sheathing take time. Sections are dried in at the end of each day.
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
Your own priorities decide it. New cedar keeps the natural look and suits many older homes, but it needs regular cleaning and some care to reach its full life. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
More questions? Call (551) 383-2310
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
New cedar shake roofs built with the right sheathing, felt interlay, spacing and stainless fasteners, 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
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
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to an Oradell roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (551) 383-2310 to talk to a roofer serving Oradell, NJ.