Cedar Shake 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 shake roof cost ranges from $10.00 to $18.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 2,000 sq. ft. cedar shake roof replacements costing about $20,000 to $36,000.
This estimate is for real cedar shakes, not cedar shingles or synthetic shake roofing. Cedar shakes are thicker, more textured, and more rustic than cedar shingles, which usually makes them more expensive to install and maintain.
Enter your ZIP code and roof square footage below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Cedar Shake Roof Cost Calculator
Cedar shake roof cost depends on roof square footage, real cedar shake thickness, hand-split or taper-sawn profile, wood grade, fire treatment, preservative treatment, exposure, ventilation, fastener type, roof pitch, moisture risk, underlayment, flashing, decking or skip sheathing requirements, disposal, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 2,000 sq. ft.
$20,000 – $36,000
About $10 – $18 per sq. ft.
Get Free Local Quotes| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $9,000 | $16,000 |
| Labor | $11,000 | $20,000 |
| Estimated installed cost | $20,000 | $36,000 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $10 | $18 |
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 Shake Roof Cost vs Value
Cedar Shake Roof may recover about 48%–66% of its cost.
Bottom line: A cedar shake roof is a premium real-wood roofing choice that can add rustic curb appeal and texture, but it requires proper installation, ventilation, and maintenance to protect long-term value.
Worth it: Homes where the owner wants a thicker rustic cedar profile, natural wood character, and a premium roof appearance that fits the home style and neighborhood.
Skip it: Homes in high-fire-risk areas without approved treatment, low-maintenance projects, or properties where cedar shingles, asphalt, metal, or synthetic shake better match 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 Shake 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 shakes once roof pitch, overhangs, garages, porches, hips, valleys, and dormers are included.
Cedar shake roofs often need a higher waste allowance than basic asphalt roofs because shakes are thicker, less uniform, and more labor-intensive around valleys, roof-wall intersections, skylights, and dormers.
Cedar Shake Roof Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Cedar shake quotes should specify the shake type and grade. Hand-split shakes, taper-sawn shakes, fire-treated shakes, preservative-treated shakes, and premium-grade cedar can price very differently. Confirm the exact product, exposure, underlayment, ventilation, fasteners, flashing, tear-off, disposal, and decking repair terms before comparing bids.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Whether the shakes are hand-split, taper-sawn, or another profile
- Cedar grade, thickness, exposure, and bundle coverage
- Fire treatment or preservative treatment requirements
- Fastener type, including stainless steel or corrosion-resistant nails
- Ventilation method and moisture-control details
- Skip sheathing, solid decking, or breather-layer requirements
- Valley, chimney, wall, and pipe flashing replacement
- Decking repair cost if rotten sheathing is found
Common Cedar Shake 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 shake upgrade | $1.50 – $4.00 per sq. ft. |
| Breather layer or ventilation mat | $0.75 – $2.00 per sq. ft. |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $300 – $1,500+ |
Cedar Shake Roof Cost by Type
| Cedar Shake Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Taper-sawn cedar shakes | $10.00 – $14.00 | A cleaner shake look with a more uniform profile |
| Hand-split cedar shakes | $12.00 – $18.00 | A thicker, more rustic wood roof appearance |
| Fire-treated cedar shakes | $13.00 – $18.00+ | Homes where code, insurance, or fire exposure makes treatment important |
Cost by Roof Size
| Roof Area | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $15,000 – $27,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $20,000 – $36,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $30,000 – $54,000 |
Is a Cedar Shake Roof Worth It?
A cedar shake roof is usually worth it when the home style supports a rustic real-wood roof and the owner is willing to pay for proper installation, ventilation, and maintenance. Cedar shakes can look great on cabins, cottages, coastal homes, historic homes, and high-end traditional exteriors. They may not be worth it in high-fire-risk areas, low-maintenance projects, or homes where synthetic shake, asphalt, or metal roofing better fits 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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