Cedar Shingle 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 shingle roof cost ranges from $8.00 to $14.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 2,000 sq. ft. cedar shingle roof replacements costing about $16,000 to $28,000.
This estimate is for real cedar shingles, not thicker cedar shakes or synthetic shake roofing. Cedar shingles have a cleaner, more uniform sawn profile than shakes, which usually makes them a better fit for homeowners who want a natural wood roof without the rougher rustic look of hand-split shakes.
Enter your ZIP code and roof square footage below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Cedar Shingle Roof Cost Calculator
Cedar shingle roof cost depends on roof square footage, real cedar shingle grade, sawn uniform profile, exposure, bundle coverage, fire treatment, preservative treatment, ventilation, fastener type, underlayment, moisture control, roof pitch, flashing, decking repair, disposal, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 2,000 sq. ft.
$16,000 – $28,000
About $8 – $14 per sq. ft.
Get Free Local Quotes| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $7,500 | $12,500 |
| Labor | $8,500 | $15,500 |
| Estimated installed cost | $16,000 | $28,000 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $8 | $14 |
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 Shingle Roof Cost vs Value
Cedar Shingle Roof may recover about 49%–67% of its cost.
Bottom line: A cedar shingle roof provides a cleaner and more uniform real-wood appearance than cedar shakes, with premium curb appeal but higher maintenance needs than asphalt or synthetic roofing.
Worth it: Homes where the owner wants real cedar roofing with a smoother, more uniform profile than shakes and a natural wood look that fits the home style.
Skip it: Homes in high-fire-risk areas without approved treatment, low-maintenance projects, or properties where cedar shakes, asphalt, metal, or synthetic roofing 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 Shingle 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 shingles once roof pitch, overhangs, garages, porches, hips, valleys, and dormers are included.
Cedar shingles are more uniform than cedar shakes, but the roof can still require extra material for valleys, roof-wall transitions, skylights, chimneys, and cut-up sections. Steeper roofs also take longer to install and usually increase labor cost.
Cedar Shingle Roof Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Cedar shingle quotes should identify the exact wood grade, exposure, treatment, fastener type, underlayment, ventilation method, and flashing scope. A low bid may leave out fire-treated shingles, preservative treatment, corrosion-resistant nails, ventilation details, or the cost of replacing damaged decking.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Exact cedar shingle grade, thickness, and exposure
- Whether the shingles are untreated, fire-treated, or preservative-treated
- Bundle coverage and waste allowance
- Fastener type, including stainless steel or corrosion-resistant nails
- Underlayment, ventilation, and moisture-control details
- Flashing replacement around chimneys, walls, valleys, and roof penetrations
- Decking repair price if damaged plywood or sheathing is found
- Material warranty and labor workmanship warranty
Common Cedar Shingle 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 shingle upgrade | $1.50 – $4.00 per sq. ft. |
| Ventilation mat or breather layer | $0.75 – $2.00 per sq. ft. |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $300 – $1,500+ |
Cedar Shingle Roof Cost by Type
| Cedar Shingle Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cedar shingles | $8.00 – $10.50 | A natural wood roof with a cleaner profile than shakes |
| Premium-grade cedar shingles | $10.00 – $13.00 | Better appearance, tighter grading, and higher curb appeal |
| Fire-treated cedar shingles | $11.00 – $14.00+ | 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 – $21,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $16,000 – $28,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $24,000 – $42,000 |
Is a Cedar Shingle Roof Worth It?
A cedar shingle roof is usually worth it when you want a real wood roof with a smoother, more uniform look than cedar shakes. It can work well on traditional homes, cottages, coastal homes, and higher-end exteriors where natural materials matter. It may not be worth it for low-maintenance projects, high-fire-risk areas without approved treatment, or homes where asphalt, metal, or synthetic 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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