Few roofs have the warmth and character of real cedar. A cedar shake or shingle roof looks right on a craftsman home, a lake house, or a mountain retreat. It also needs a roofer who knows how wood roofs are built and how they age. McGuire Roofing installs, repairs, cleans, and treats cedar shake and shingle roofs for clients in Knoxville and across East Tennessee. We also install DaVinci synthetic shake for homeowners who want the cedar look with less upkeep.
Cedar Shakes vs. Cedar Shingles
People use the two words interchangeably, but they’re different products. According to the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau:
- Cedar shingles are sawn on both sides. They’re thinner and give a smooth, tailored, uniform look.
- Hand-split and resawn shakes have a split face and a sawn back. The rough, textured face gives a rugged, rustic look and deeper shadow lines.
- Tapersawn shakes are sawn on both sides like a shingle but cut thicker, for a look in between the two.
Not sure which you have? We’ll tell you during your inspection, so any repair matches what’s already on your roof.
Cedar Roof Repair
Cedar is a natural material, and over time individual pieces can split, cup, curl, loosen, or blow off in a storm. Fallen limbs and hail can break them too. Left alone, a few bad shakes can let water reach the underlayment and the deck. McGuire Roofing does cedar shake repairs in Farragut and throughout the Knoxville area. A typical repair includes:
- Replacing split, cupped, cracked, or missing shakes and shingles one piece at a time
- Re-securing loose pieces and checking the courses around them
- Repairing flashing at chimneys, walls, valleys, and skylights
- Checking ridge caps and vents
- Photo documentation of what we found and what we fixed
New cedar starts out lighter than weathered cedar and blends in as it ages. If the roof is past the point where repairs make sense, we’ll tell you straight.
Recent Project: Cedar Shake Roof Repair in Farragut, TN
On this Farragut home, we repaired a cedar shake roof by removing the damaged shakes and installing new cedar shakes in their place, keeping the rest of the existing roof. Replacing only the damaged shakes lets a sound cedar roof keep doing its job without a full replacement.
Cedar Roof Replacement and Installation
When a cedar roof has reached the end of its life, you have options. McGuire Roofing installs new cedar shake and shingle roofs. We can replace it with new cedar shakes or shingles, or with a low-maintenance alternative like DaVinci synthetic shake or DECRA stone-coated steel shake. Either way, we start with an inspection of the deck, underlayment, ventilation, and flashing, and give you a free written estimate.
Cleaning, Treatment, and Maintenance
East Tennessee’s humidity, shade, and leaf litter are hard on wood roofs. Moss, algae, and debris hold moisture against the cedar and shorten its life. A little care goes a long way:
- Keep valleys, gutters, and the roof surface clear of leaves and debris
- Trim back overhanging branches to let the roof dry out
- Have the roof inspected periodically and after major storms
- Replace damaged pieces early, before water gets underneath
McGuire Roofing cleans and treats cedar roofs. The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau notes that fire-retardant treatment and preservative (moss and mildew) treatment are two separate treatments. We’ll recommend the right care for your roof.
Fire Ratings for Cedar Roofs
Untreated cedar is not fire-rated. According to the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau, cedar shakes and shingles that are pressure-impregnated with fire retardant are available as Class B or Class C products, and a Class A roof can be achieved using Class B treated cedar in a specific roof assembly. Check with your local building official and your HOA about requirements for your home.
Cedar vs. Synthetic Shake
Love the look of cedar but not the upkeep? Synthetic shake is worth a look. McGuire Roofing installs DaVinci Select Shake, including a Black Oak roof in Tellico Village.
- Real cedar: natural wood grain and character, and it can be repaired one piece at a time. It needs regular maintenance, and untreated cedar is not fire-rated.
- DaVinci synthetic shake: Class A fire rated and Class 4 impact rated. It doesn’t rot, split, or need ongoing treatments, and comes in colors like Aged Cedar, Black Oak, and Weathered Gray.
Compare styles on our synthetic roofing page, or see all our specialty roofs.
Cost and Value
Cedar is a premium roofing material, and the price depends on the roof’s size and pitch, whether you choose shakes or shingles, the grade and any treatment, tear-off and decking, and details like chimneys, valleys, and dormers. Repairs are priced on the actual damage. We give every client a free written estimate based on their roof. Financing is available for qualified clients.
Why Clients Choose McGuire Roofing
- Local to Knoxville: Our office is at 623 Simmons Road, Suite 1, Knoxville, TN 37932, and we serve clients across East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, and Tellico Village.
- Specialty roof experience: Wood roofs need different repair methods, fasteners, and flashing details than shingles. We match repairs to the existing shakes or shingles and install new roofs to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Phones answered 24/7: Call 865-338-7663 any time.
- Honest insurance help: Free storm damage inspections and photo documentation of what we find. We never cover or waive deductibles.
- Financing for qualified clients.
Cedar Shake & Shingle Roofing FAQ
What’s the difference between cedar shakes and cedar shingles?
Shingles are sawn on both sides for a smooth, tailored look. Shakes are typically split on at least one face, which gives them a thicker, rougher, more rustic look. Tapersawn shakes are the exception: they’re sawn on both sides but cut thicker than a shingle.
Can you replace just a few damaged shakes?
Usually, yes. If the damage is limited to individual split, cupped, or missing shakes, we can replace those pieces and blend them in. New cedar starts out lighter in color and weathers over time. If the damage is widespread, we’ll tell you honestly whether repair still makes sense.
Is a cedar roof fire-rated?
Untreated cedar is not fire-rated. Cedar shakes and shingles that are pressure-impregnated with a fire retardant can carry a Class B or Class C rating, and Class A can be reached with Class B treated cedar installed as a specific roof assembly, according to the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau. If fire rating matters for your home or HOA, we’ll include fire-retardant-treated cedar options in your estimate.
Is synthetic shake a good alternative to cedar?
For many homeowners, yes. DaVinci synthetic shake is Class A fire rated and Class 4 impact rated and doesn’t rot, split, or need treatments. Many clients prefer real wood, though, and we’re happy to work on either. See our synthetic roofing page.
Do you inspect cedar roofs after a storm?
We offer free storm damage inspections and document any damage we find with photos. We never cover or waive deductibles.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Ask about financing options when we give your estimate.
Get a Free Cedar Roof Inspection
Split shakes, a leak, or storm damage on your cedar roof? Request your free quote, contact us, or call 865-338-7663. We answer 24/7.