Is a Cedar Shingle Roof Right for My Building?

Cedar shingles give a natural, textured roof that weathers to silver grey. Here is how they are laid, what they suit, the upkeep and the questions to ask.

Cedar shingles suit owners who want a natural, lightweight roof with a soft texture, and who are happy for it to change colour over time. They are popular on garden rooms, outbuildings, barn style extensions and some period and rural homes. They are less suited to roofs that stay damp and shaded all year, or where planning rules call for a traditional local covering. If you are unsure, it is worth checking the setting and any planning limits before falling for the look.

Shingles and shakes are not the same

Shingles are sawn on both faces, giving a smooth, regular look with crisp lines. Shakes are split, so they are thicker with a rougher, more rustic surface. Both are usually made from western red cedar, a timber that contains natural oils which help it resist decay and insects.

The choice is mostly about appearance, though thicker shakes create deeper shadow lines and a heavier looking roof.

Shingles are laid in overlapping courses so that at least two layers cover every point on the roof, with joints staggered between courses so water never finds a straight path through. Each shingle is fixed with stainless steel or other corrosion resistant nails, because ordinary nails react with the oils in the cedar and stain or fail.

Ventilation is vital. Cedar needs to dry out between wet spells, so it is usually laid on battens or counter battens that let air move beneath. A roof that cannot breathe stays damp and ages far faster.

New cedar is a warm honey or reddish brown. Exposed to sun and rain, it gradually turns an even silver grey. That change is natural and does not mean the timber is failing. Some owners like the fresh colour and apply treatments to slow it, but many prefer the weathered look, which blends well in rural settings.

Uneven weathering can happen where part of a roof is sheltered by trees or a neighbouring building, since those areas stay damp for longer.

Timber roofs raise obvious fire questions. Fire retardant treated shingles are available, and building regulations limit untreated timber coverings close to boundaries. Anyone specifying a cedar roof, especially on a house or an outbuilding near a boundary, should confirm the treated product and its classification with building control before work starts.

Cedar compared with tiles and slate

Cedar is much lighter than clay, concrete or stone, which can make it attractive on lightweight structures such as garden rooms or timber framed extensions. It needs more attention than tile or slate, because timber relies on drying out and on keeping moss and debris at bay. Its appeal is its natural look and texture. If low upkeep is the priority, a tiled or slated roof is usually the easier choice, and our tiling and slating guide explains what that work involves.

Looking after a cedar roof

Keep overhanging branches cut back so the roof gets light and air, clear leaves and debris from the shingles and gutters, and deal with moss before it holds moisture against the timber. Individual split or loose shingles can be replaced without disturbing the rest. Avoid pressure washing, which strips the surface fibres and shortens the life of the shingles.

What is the difference between cedar shingles and shakes?

Shingles are sawn and smooth with regular edges. Shakes are split, thicker and more rustic in appearance.

Why has my cedar roof turned grey?

Sunlight and rain naturally weather cedar to silver grey. It is a surface change and not a sign of decay.

Do cedar shingles need special nails?

Yes. Stainless steel or other corrosion resistant fixings are needed, as ordinary nails react with the oils in the timber.

Can a cedar roof be used near a boundary?

Building regulations restrict untreated timber roofs near boundaries, so a fire retardant treated product and building control advice are needed.

Can damaged shingles be replaced individually?

Yes. Split or loose shingles can be removed and replaced without stripping the surrounding roof.

Tell us about the building and its setting. We will talk through whether cedar suits it and give you a written quote.

Evans Roofing & Maintenance Ltd, Witney, Oxfordshire. Call 07960 482233 for a free written quote.