Ridge ventilation
Hip and ridge caps go on last with longer nails for wind resistance.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Installation Orange, NJ
Installing a cedar shake roof in Orange means getting the slope, sheathing, interlay, spacing and fasteners right before the look of the wood even matters, so the roof sheds water and dries out between storms. One call to (973) 858-1825 reaches a nearby cedar roof installer.
How a cedar roof is put on matters more than the wood itself. Every detail, from the side gaps to the nail type, exists so the shakes can get wet, dry out and move without leaking. Done right, a cedar roof can serve a home for 30 years or more.
Before installation starts, you choose between shakes and shingles and pick a grade. Shakes are split, with a rough, textured face and thick butts, while cedar shingles are sawn smooth on both sides for a tighter, tailored look. The best grades are clear heartwood with edge grain, which stays flatter and resists splitting and decay better than flat grain.
Several outside factors decide how the system is built. Most codes require a minimum pitch for wood roofs, about 4 in 12 for shakes and 3 in 12 for shingles. Wildfire codes, local permits and neighborhood rules can all affect which cedar product is allowed.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, an Orange roofer may also recommend cedar shake roof replacement or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Orange, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1825 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Orange.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof installation works
Here is how a roofer typically builds a new cedar roof.
Deck preparation
The roofer installs either spaced 1x boards or solid sheathing covered with a ventilated underlayment mat. In cold areas, the lower edge gets solid sheathing and an ice and water barrier.
Starter course
The first course is doubled so the gaps in the top layer never line up with gaps in the layer below. Drip edge metal is usually installed here as well.
Lay the field
Shakes go on in courses with felt interlay woven between them, positioned so it never shows below the next course. Side gaps are kept even, joints are staggered from course to course and the exposure follows the length and the slope.
Fasten correctly
Two corrosion-resistant nails per shake are placed just above the line where the next course will lap, keeping them out of the weather. Stainless is common near salt air and with treated shakes.
Build the valleys
Valley metal goes down first, and shakes are trimmed back from the center so leaves and water can run freely. Step flashing at walls and flashing at skylights and vents go in as the courses rise.
Finish the ridge
Hips and ridges are covered with cedar caps that alternate their overlap, nailed with longer fasteners into solid wood. Balanced ventilation under a wood roof keeps both the attic and the shakes drier.
What is included
Parts of a new cedar roof
Material selection
Shakes or shingles, grade, length and thickness are picked for the house with fire and preservative treatment where needed.
Felt interlay
An interlay of felt sits under each course to stop wind-driven rain.
Deck layer
Spaced boards or solid sheathing with a breathable mat go down first so the cedar can dry from both sides.
Wall flashing
Metal valleys and wall flashing are woven into the courses so the busiest water paths are protected.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Installation Orange, NJ
Cedar shingles are sawn on both faces, so they are thinner, smoother and installed a little differently than shakes. Exposure depends on the shingle length and pitch, and it is shorter than for shakes. The keyways between shingles are kept narrow but never closed.
Unlike shakes, shingles do not get felt interlay between courses, because their tight, thin layering already gives three layers of wood coverage. Like shakes, shingles need air under them, so spaced boards or a breather mat are common. A Orange roofer can lay out samples of each so you can compare.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Installation Near Me
In Orange, cedar installations are often chosen for craftsman, cottage and lodge style homes. From Orange to neighboring communities such as East Orange, Glen Ridge, Caldwell and Roseland, a roofer will check permit rules and fire requirements before recommending a cedar product, so a site visit comes before any material order.
Need cedar shake roof installation around Orange? Call (973) 858-1825 for an Orange roofer who serves the towns around it too.
Roofs in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. 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. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Orange, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Orange and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Cedar Shake Roof Installation FAQ
Do cedar shakes need a preservative treatment?
Treatment depends on the climate and the grade of wood. Preservative treatment helps in wet climates, and fire treatment may be required by local code. Ask about both kinds of treatment for your Orange roof.
How steep does a roof have to be for cedar shakes?
Most codes call for at least 4 in 12 for cedar shakes. Shingles can work on slightly lower slopes with reduced exposure. Lower slopes need a different roofing system.
What kind of underlayment does a cedar roof need?
A cedar roof is built over either spaced boards or solid sheathing with a breathable mat. Felt interlay between courses and an eave membrane in cold areas complete the system. Everything under the shakes is chosen so the wood can breathe.
Are cedar shakes and cedar shingles the same thing?
The difference comes down to how they are cut. Shakes are rugged and heavy with deep shadow lines, and shingles are trim and even. Shakes get felt between courses, shingles rely on overlap.
Are cedar shake roofs a fire risk?
Fire-treated cedar is available for areas where fire is a concern. With treatment and the right underlayment, a cedar roof can reach a higher fire classification. Check local rules first, since some areas restrict untreated wood roofs.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1825
Other services that may help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement
Replacing an old cedar shake roof down to the boards, then rebuilding it right, with the deck brought up to what the new roof needs.
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 Installation
Installing a new roof layer by layer, from drip edge and underlayment to flashing, vents and the finished roofing, whether it is asphalt shingles, metal or another material.
Learn moreRoof Ventilation
Balancing attic intake and exhaust with soffit vents, ridge vents and attic fans, so shingles and decking last as long as they should.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet cedar shake roof installation help in Orange
Call (973) 858-1825 to talk to a roofer serving Orange, NJ.