Cedar shake roofing in Vancouver has been the process of roofing since the first house was built in the region. Today, when one has a cedar roof that is leaking or needs replacing, Asphalt is usually the new choice. Cedar although in great abundance is labour intensive and as a result costs on average about 1/3 more than your other options in roofing products.

Cedar nowadays is only new growth. Old growth does not really exist anymore or the few trees that do cannot be cut down. New growth cedar comes out with an average warranty of about 20 years and has a slight green tinge to it. If you have the Cedar treated then that green tinge is a little stronger in colour.

Treatment of cedar shakes stop the algae and moss from growing on the roof. They place the cedar in a quill and force high pressure cyanide into the cedar shake. This is a safe process and it is done with children’s wooden playground equipment too. You can tell whether the Cedar shake has been treated before by the condition of the cedar five years after it has been installed.

Cedar breaths very well. Therefore, if your roofing contractor under ventilates the roof, the cedar shake does have the ability to breath on it's own and still live with it’s extended warranty. The cedar shakes under bad ventilation will curl upwards and it is important that no one walks onto the roof in this situation or you will spring leaks all over the place.

Cedar normally leaks when three cedar shakes split in a row, this is the thinnest point on any section of the roof. Cedar shake is cut and installed so that there are always three layers placed somewhere. Cedar caps are the weakest point on the roof and it is very important to keep an eye on split ridge or hips. Be gentle on the other cedar if you go up to replace the capping and ridge. This is done rarely, because if your roof's ridge and hips are falling apart then it is time to replace the whole roof.

Cedar shake is an organic product so watch out for the raccoons and other critters that are looking for a warm place to live. Tearing a shake or two to get into the attic is an all too common practice, and the reason most folks out there need a roof replacement.