Cedar Shake Roof Life Expectancy
How Long do Cedar Shake Roofs Last?
There is no denying the many benefits of a cedar shake roof, including multiple options as well as the visual appearance. With all this in mind, many people hesitate to move forward with the installation because they are concerned about the life expectancy. In other words, they worry that this type of roof will not last as long as others, such as traditional shingles.
Lifespan of a Cedar Shake Roof
It is easy to believe that a cedar shake roof is not going to last as long as other types, such as asphalt shingles and metal, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the fact that this type of roof is made of wood, the lifespan can be quite long.
The average life span of a cedar shake roof is approximately 30 to 40 years. This is every bit as long, if not longer, than you will get out of a high quality asphalt shingle roof.
Of course, how long a cedar shake roof lasts in your area is dependent largely on a variety of factors. These include but are not limited to:
- Environmental conditions
- Weather
- Exposure to the sun
- Salt water proximity
Tip: to better understand the lifespan of a cedar shake roof in your hometown, ask a qualified roofing professional if they have previously installed this type of roof in the area. If they have, they can give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of the life expectancy.
Preservative Treated Products
Those who are worried about the lifespan of a cedar shake roof should consider the benefits of a preservative treated product. In other words, there are shakes that have been treated to ensure that they hold up better in adverse conditions. Along with this, preserved cedar shake roofs are more resistant to mildew and moss.
Maintenance is Important
If you are going to have a cedar shake roof installed on your home, you must learn as much as possible about maintenance. This does not mean that you have to do any of the maintenance yourself. What it does mean is that you need to know what this entails, ensuring that you take care of any issues, with the help of a professional, as they come up.
The older your cedar shake roof becomes, the better chance there is that repairs will be required at some point in time. The same can be said for all types of roofs, so this is not something that should scare you away.
While cedar shake shingles do not require much maintenance, there may come a time when you need to replace one that has been damaged or blown from the roof. Along with this, if you notice mildew and mold building up it is important to have the roof cleaned as soon as possible. Not doing so can lessen the lifespan of the roof.
If a cedar shake roof is properly installed and maintained, you should have every reason to believe that it will remain in good condition for 30 years or more.
