Old roof removal
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards so the deck can be inspected.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Rockaway, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Rockaway starts with removing every old shake and strip of felt interlay, then fixing the boards underneath before the new roof goes on, with the deck matched to whatever comes next. One call to (862) 421-0113 reaches a nearby cedar roof replacement pro.
Every cedar roof eventually wears past what spot repairs can fix. The shakes erode thinner every year, the butts rot, the nails rust through and the wood turns so brittle that a roofer cannot replace one shake without cracking three more. That is when replacing the roof costs less over time than chasing leaks.
Unlike some asphalt roofs, cedar has to come off completely. Shakes are uneven and hold moisture, so anything laid on top sits on a lumpy, damp base, and most codes do not allow roofing over wood shakes. Tear-off also lets the roofer see and fix every rotted board.
What sits under the shakes shapes the whole project. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement is often paired with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Rockaway, NJ right now? Call (862) 421-0113 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Planning
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Protect the property
Gutters, shrubs and patios are covered before the old roof comes off. Cover stored items in the attic, because old wood roofs shed dust inward.
Remove the old roof
The old shakes and felt are stripped section by section so the roof is never left open longer than needed. Any older layers found underneath are removed at the same time.
Repair the deck
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. Nothing else on the roof works if the deck is weak.
Dry-in
Waterproof membrane at the eaves and valleys plus new underlayment protect the house before the finish roof goes on. For new cedar, a breathable mat or spaced boards keep air moving under the shakes.
Install the new roof
The finish roof is laid with new metal at valleys and walls and a vented ridge. Cleanup includes rolling a magnet over the lawn for nails.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
Ice barrier
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys under the new roof.
Cleanup
Debris is removed daily and stray nails are collected.
Deck repair
Damaged sheathing is renewed before anything new goes on.
New flashing
All flashing is replaced, not reused so no old rusted metal remains.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Rockaway, NJ
Sawn cedar shingles were once the default roof on many older houses, and many are now due for replacement. Many were built on open board decks, and some were roofed over decades ago, which means two layers to remove. Once the deck is bare, the roofer decides whether the boards can carry new shingles or need solid sheathing.
Replacing sawn shingles with new sawn shingles keeps the tight, even look of the original roof. Local design rules may limit what can replace a historic wood roof. For a Rockaway home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Rockaway, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. Across Rockaway and nearby towns like Dover, Wharton, Mountain Lakes and Morris Plains, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, so it helps to see samples before the tear-off.
Need cedar shake roof replacement around Rockaway? Call (862) 421-0113 for a Rockaway roofer who serves the towns around it too.
Roofs in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Rockaway, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Rockaway know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about cedar shake roof replacement
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
The answer hinges on the new roofing material. New cedar can go on sound spaced boards, but asphalt shingles, metal and most synthetic products need solid plywood or OSB. Soft or split boards are replaced no matter what.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
Several materials can replace a cedar roof. Options include new cedar, composite shakes, dimensional asphalt shingles and metal roofing designed to look like shakes. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
That comes down to what you want from the roof. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. Seeing samples side by side helps.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Laying new material over shakes causes more problems than it solves. The shakes are uneven and hold moisture, so the new roof sits on a lumpy, damp base, and the old wood adds fuel load. A full tear-off is the standard approach.
How long does a cedar roof replacement take?
The timeline is usually a few days to a week or more for bigger homes. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. The roof is never left open overnight.
More questions? Call (862) 421-0113
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, laid to the slope and climate of the house.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, matched to what a close look at the roof actually finds.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, with the old layers removed and the deck checked.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, including permits, cleanup and a final check.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Rockaway roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (862) 421-0113 to talk to a roofer serving Rockaway, NJ.