Drive through any historic neighborhood in Greenwich, New Canaan, or Westport and you'll see cedar shake roofs on some of the finest homes in the county. There's a reason: the hand-split texture and natural weathering of cedar shake is a look that no asphalt shingle has successfully replicated. But it comes with trade-offs that are worth understanding before you commit to either material.
What Is Cedar Shake?
Cedar shake refers to hand-split or sawn wood shingles milled from western red cedar. Hand-split shakes have a rougher, more rustic texture. Sawn shingles (sometimes called "straight-split" or "tapersawn") are smoother and more uniform. Both are installed with larger exposure gaps than asphalt shingles to allow airflow through the roof system, a critical detail in Connecticut's wet climate.
There's also a third option: synthetic cedar shake, made from engineered polymers or fiber cement. It mimics the look of natural cedar with significantly lower maintenance requirements and often better impact resistance.
The Case for Cedar Shake
Aesthetics
This is where cedar wins unambiguously. The layered, textured look of real cedar shake suits the historic colonials, shingle-style homes, and country estates common throughout Fairfield County in a way that asphalt simply cannot match. Many historic district guidelines in our area require or strongly prefer natural materials, and cedar shake is often the only roofing option that meets them.
Longevity, When Maintained
A properly installed and maintained natural cedar shake roof can last 30–40 years, occasionally longer. Cedar has natural oils that resist moisture and insects. When the roof is installed correctly, with proper underlayment, ventilation, and spacing, and treated periodically with a quality preservative, the lifespan can rival or exceed that of standard asphalt shingles.
Insulation Value
Cedar shake has a higher natural insulation value than asphalt. The thermal resistance of wood, combined with the air space created by the installation method, contributes meaningfully to a home's energy performance.
The Case Against Cedar Shake
Cost
This is the biggest barrier. A natural cedar shake roof replacement on a typical Fairfield County home runs $28,000–$45,000 or more, compared to $13,000–$19,000 for quality architectural asphalt shingles. The material itself is expensive, and the labor is significantly more involved, cedar shake requires more time and skill to install correctly than asphalt.
Maintenance Requirements
Cedar shake requires ongoing attention that asphalt does not. Moss, algae, and lichen can establish themselves on shake roofs, particularly on north-facing slopes, and accelerate deterioration. Plan on periodic cleaning and preservative treatment every 5–7 years. Damaged shakes need prompt replacement; a split or cracked shake will absorb water and rot quickly, potentially spreading damage to adjacent shakes.
Connecticut's Climate Is Hard on Cedar
Western Connecticut's wet winters and humid summers create conditions that cedar can handle, but only if the roof system is designed for it. Proper ventilation beneath the shakes is essential. If moisture can't dry out, cedar rots. We've replaced cedar roofs in Ridgefield and Wilton that failed prematurely because the original installation didn't account for adequate air circulation.
Fire Rating
Untreated natural cedar shake is typically rated Class C for fire resistance, lower than asphalt shingles, which are Class A. Pressure-treated or fire-retardant-treated cedar can achieve Class B or A ratings, but this adds cost. Check with your insurance carrier before choosing natural cedar; some insurers charge higher premiums for Class C roofing.
Synthetic Cedar Shake: A Middle Ground
For homeowners who love the cedar look but want lower maintenance and better fire ratings, synthetic cedar shake deserves serious consideration. Products from manufacturers like DaVinci and Enviroshake offer Class A fire ratings, Class 4 impact resistance (the highest rating for hail), 50-year warranties, and a look that's convincing from the street.
Cost falls between natural cedar and asphalt, typically $18,000–$28,000 for a mid-sized home. For homes in exposed locations or where insurance considerations make Class A fire rating important, synthetic shake is often the best of both worlds.
Which Is Right for Your Home?
If you have a historic home in a neighborhood where cedar is the traditional choice, budget for the real thing and plan for proper maintenance. If the aesthetic appeal of cedar draws you but cost or maintenance are concerns, synthetic shake is worth a serious look. If your priority is durability, performance, and value, quality architectural asphalt from GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning is hard to beat.
We install all of these options and will give you an honest assessment of what makes the most sense for your specific house, budget, and priorities, without steering you toward whatever's most profitable for us.