Cedar Roof Cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Cedar roof cost ranges from $8.00 to $16.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 2,000 sq. ft. cedar roof replacements costing about $16,000 to $32,000.
This estimate is for real cedar roofing, including cedar shingles and cedar shakes. Cedar costs more than asphalt because it uses natural wood, requires more careful installation, and may need fire treatment, preservative treatment, proper ventilation, and specific fasteners to perform well over time.
Enter your ZIP code and roof square footage below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Cedar Roof Cost Calculator
Cedar roof cost depends on roof square footage, cedar shingle or shake profile, wood grade, fire treatment, preservative treatment, roof pitch, roof complexity, ventilation, moisture exposure, fastener type, skip sheathing or solid decking requirements, underlayment, flashing, decking repair, disposal, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 2,000 sq. ft.
$16,000 – $32,000
About $8 – $16 per sq. ft.
Get Free Local Quotes| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Labor | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Estimated installed cost | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $8 | $16 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Cedar Roof Cost vs Value
Cedar Roof may recover about 50%–68% of its cost.
Bottom line: A cedar roof costs more than asphalt but can add natural curb appeal, texture, and a premium exterior look when installed on the right home and maintained properly.
Worth it: Homes where the owner wants real wood roofing, natural cedar appearance, shake or shingle texture, and a premium look that fits the home style and neighborhood.
Skip it: Homes in high-fire-risk areas without approved treatment, homes where low maintenance is the main goal, or properties where asphalt or synthetic roofing better matches the budget.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
How to Measure Cedar Roof Area
Use roof square footage, not interior living space. A 1,700 sq. ft. home may need 2,000 sq. ft. or more of cedar roofing once roof pitch, overhangs, garages, porches, hips, valleys, and dormers are included.
Cedar roofs can also have a higher waste factor than standard asphalt shingles because wood pieces vary by profile, exposure, grade, and layout. Cut-up roofs with many valleys, dormers, skylights, and roof-wall transitions usually cost more to install.
Cedar Roof Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Cedar roof quotes can look far apart because cedar shingles and cedar shakes are not the same product. Confirm whether the quote includes cedar shingles, cedar shakes, wood grade, fire treatment, preservative treatment, underlayment, ventilation, fasteners, flashing, tear-off, disposal, and decking repairs before comparing bids.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Whether the roof uses cedar shingles or cedar shakes
- Wood grade, thickness, exposure, and profile
- Fire treatment or preservative treatment requirements
- Fastener type, including stainless steel or corrosion-resistant nails
- Underlayment, ventilation, and moisture-control details
- Skip sheathing or solid decking requirements
- Flashing replacement around chimneys, walls, valleys, and penetrations
- Decking repair cost if rotten sheathing is found
Common Cedar Roof Add-On Costs
| Item | Typical Added Cost |
|---|---|
| Old roof tear-off and disposal | $1.00 – $2.50 per sq. ft. |
| Roof decking replacement | $70 – $150 per sheet |
| Fire-treated cedar upgrade | $1.50 – $4.00 per sq. ft. |
| Premium ventilation or breather layer | $0.75 – $2.00 per sq. ft. |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $300 – $1,500+ |
Cedar Roof Cost by Type
| Cedar Roof Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar shingles | $8.00 – $12.00 | A cleaner, more uniform wood roof appearance |
| Cedar shakes | $10.00 – $16.00 | A thicker, more rustic wood roof profile |
| Fire-treated cedar roofing | $11.00 – $16.00+ | Homes where code, insurance, or fire exposure makes treatment important |
Cost by Roof Size
| Roof Area | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $12,000 – $24,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $16,000 – $32,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $24,000 – $48,000 |
Is a Cedar Roof Worth It?
A cedar roof is usually worth it when the home style supports a natural wood roof and the owner is comfortable with higher installation and maintenance costs. Cedar can add warmth, texture, and premium curb appeal, especially on cabins, cottages, historic homes, coastal homes, and high-end traditional exteriors. It may not be worth it in high-fire-risk areas, low-maintenance projects, or homes where asphalt, metal, or synthetic roofing better matches the budget.
Related Roofing Cost Guides
References
- Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau
- Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau Installation Resources
- GAF: How to Measure a Roof
- InterNACHI: Wood Shake and Shingle Roof Inspection
Last Updated: 6/19/26
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