Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment where water and ice gather.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Summit, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Summit 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 (908) 679-5768 reaches a nearby cedar roof replacement pro.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. 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. Replacement then protects the house instead of patching a roof with no life left.
A wood roof cannot be covered over. 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.
The deck is the biggest question in a cedar replacement. If new cedar goes back on, sound spaced boards can stay, but switching to another material means sheathing the roof solid. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Many cedar shake roof replacement calls in Summit also turn up a need for cedar shake roof installation or cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Summit, NJ right now? Call (908) 679-5768 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Summit.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
Plan the new roof
You pick the new roofing first, then the roofer plans the deck, underlayment and flashing around it. Permits are pulled and any neighborhood or fire rules are checked.
Prepare the site
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.
Tear-off
The old shakes and felt are stripped section by section so the roof is never left open longer than needed. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
Sheathing work
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. A sound deck is what the new fasteners rely on.
Lay underlayment
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. 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. Cleanup includes rolling a magnet over the lawn for nails.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
Sheathing
Rotted boards are replaced and solid sheathing is added if needed so fasteners hold firmly.
New flashing
Valleys, walls, vents and skylights get new metal for a watertight finish.
Cleanup
Debris is removed daily leaving the property clean.
Old roof removal
Every layer comes off so the deck can be inspected.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Summit, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. Many were built on open board decks, and some were roofed over decades ago, which means two layers to remove. After tear-off, the roof deck is inspected and brought up to standard.
Putting cedar shingles back preserves the character of an older house. Local design rules may limit what can replace a historic wood roof. For a Summit home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Cedar roofs around Summit reach replacement age on older homes first, often after years of shade and moss. Across Summit and nearby towns like Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, and a roofer can lay out the options side by side.
Searching for cedar shake roof replacement near me from Summit or Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills? Call (908) 679-5768 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Summit
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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Summit is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Summit and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
That comes down to what you want from the roof. New cedar keeps the natural look and suits many older homes, but it needs regular cleaning and some care to reach its full life. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
What can I replace my cedar shake roof with?
New cedar is one option, but there are several others. Options include new cedar, composite shakes, dimensional asphalt shingles and metal roofing designed to look like shakes. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
It comes down to the material you choose. Spaced boards work for cedar, while other roofs need a solid deck laid over the boards or in their place. Soft or split boards are replaced no matter what.
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
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 many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
Most homes take several days, with larger or steep roofs taking longer. Cedar tear-offs produce a lot of debris, and re-decking adds time. The roof is never left open overnight.
More questions? Call (908) 679-5768
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
New cedar shake roofs built with the right sheathing, felt interlay, spacing and stainless fasteners, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
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
Full tear-off and replacement for roofs that are worn out, storm beaten or leaking in several places, built to current code from the decking out.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Summit roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (908) 679-5768 for a local roofer in Summit and nearby towns.