Ice barrier
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys under the new roof.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Montville, NJ
When cedar shakes in Montville are thin, brittle and leaking in many places, replacement means a full tear-off and a new roof built from the deck up, so the new roof starts on solid, dry wood. Call (862) 420-3039 to reach a local roofer.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. After decades of weather, shakes lose thickness, split easily and no longer hold a nail, so new pieces have nothing solid to tie into. That is when replacing the roof costs less over time than chasing leaks.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. 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. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Any soft or split boards are cut out and replaced.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Montville roofer may also recommend cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Montville, NJ right now? Call (862) 420-3039 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Planning
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Permits are pulled and any neighborhood or fire rules are checked.
Prepare the site
Tarps and plywood cover plants, decks and walkways, because cedar tear-offs throw off heavy debris and thousands of old nails. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
Tear off to the deck
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
Sheathing work
Rotted or split boards are replaced, and if the new roof is not cedar, plywood or OSB is laid over the spaced boards or in their place. A sound deck is what the new fasteners rely on.
Dry-in
Waterproof membrane at the eaves and valleys plus new underlayment protect the house before the finish roof goes on. Cedar gets a ventilated layer, while other roofs get standard underlayment.
Finish the roof
The finish roof is laid with new metal at valleys and walls and a vented ridge. A magnetic sweep of the yard and driveway picks up stray nails.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Cleanup
The site is cleaned and swept with magnets and stray nails are collected.
New flashing
Fresh flashing goes in at every penetration so no old rusted metal remains.
Old roof removal
Every layer comes off so the deck can be inspected.
Deck repair
Rotted boards are replaced and solid sheathing is added if needed before anything new goes on.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Montville, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. It is common to find original shingles hidden under a later asphalt roof, both of which come off. 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. If your home is in a historic area, check what materials are allowed. A roofer in Montville can help you weigh the look, the upkeep and the rules before you decide.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Cedar roofs around Montville reach replacement age on older homes first, often after years of shade and moss. From Montville to neighboring communities such as Lake Hiawatha, Towaco, Boonton and Pine Brook, the choice between new cedar and a look-alike often comes down to upkeep, fire rules and neighborhood style, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
Searching for cedar shake roof replacement near me from Montville or Lake Hiawatha, Towaco, Boonton and Pine Brook? Call (862) 420-3039 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Montville
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Montville is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Montville and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
Roofing over cedar shakes is a bad idea and is not allowed under most codes. The old wood stays damp under the new layer and the surface is too uneven to lay flat. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
You can put cedar back or choose a material that looks like it. Synthetic or composite shakes imitate the look with less upkeep, architectural asphalt shingles cost less and are common, and metal or stone-coated steel lasts a long time. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
It comes down to the material you choose. If you switch from cedar, the roof will need solid sheathing. Damaged boards always get replaced.
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
The choice depends on the look, maintenance and rules in your area. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
A typical house takes several working days. Removing old wood and adding sheathing take time. Sections are dried in at the end of each day.
More questions? Call (862) 420-3039
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, so the wood can dry and last for decades.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, without tearing off the shakes that still have years left.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, built to current code from the decking out.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Montville roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call now for Montville cedar shake roof replacement and help in the towns around it.