Cedar Shake Roofing

Restoring Integrity to Weather-Beaten Cedar Shake Structures

Natural wood roofing offers undeniable beauty, but even the highest quality timber eventually succumbs to the harsh environmental realities of the Pacific Northwest. If you are noticing split shingles, heavy moss growth, or water intrusion in your attic, contact Pressure Point Roofing today to schedule a comprehensive inspection or discuss available financing options.

Homeowners across Southern Oregon, from the Rogue Valley in Medford and Ashland to the distinct climates of Klamath Falls and Grants Pass, often face unique challenges with cedar shake roofing. The cycle of wet, mild winters and intense, dry summers causes wood to expand and contract, leading to warping, cupping, and eventual failure if not properly managed. This degradation compromises not only the curb appeal of your property but also the thermal efficiency and structural protection of your home.

We provide a definitive solution to these structural vulnerabilities. Our approach ensures that your roofing system is not merely patched but fortified against future weathering.

• Enhance your roof’s structural durability with expert installation techniques that account for wood expansion.
• Extend the lifespan of your roofing system through preventative treatments and proper ventilation strategies.
• Improve your home’s aesthetic value and insulation properties with high-grade, fire-treated cedar materials.
• All installations are backed by a comprehensive warranty and meet strict local building standards.

Why Cedar Shake Roofing Is Your Best Choice

Despite the maintenance requirements, cedar shake remains a superior roofing material when installed correctly. It is not just an aesthetic choice; it is a performance choice. Cedar acts as a natural insulator, providing twice the thermal resistance of asphalt shingles. For residents in Central Point, Eagle Point, and White City, where temperature fluctuations can be significant, this natural insulation helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures, reducing the load on your HVAC system.

Furthermore, cedar has exceptional dimensional stability compared to other organic materials. When the proper grade of wood is selected—typically Certi-Label products certified by the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau—the shingles resist shrinking and swelling better than untreated lumber. This resilience is vital in areas like Jacksonville and Talent, where humidity levels shift drastically between seasons. The cellular structure of the wood allows it to breathe, managing moisture transfer naturally, provided the installation includes the correct underlayment and ventilation systems.

Beyond performance, the visual impact of a cedar roof is unmatched. It offers a rustic, tailored look that matures into a distinguished silver-gray patina. For properties in historic districts or wooded areas like Shady Cove and Butte Falls, cedar shakes integrate the home seamlessly into the surrounding landscape while offering significant wind resistance, capable of withstanding the gusts that often sweep through the Rogue Valley.

What's Included in Your Cedar Shake Installation?

A cedar shake roof is a complex system, not just a layer of wood nailed to a deck. To ensure longevity, Pressure Point Roofing builds a complete roofing envelope designed to breathe and shed water effectively.

When you authorize a replacement or new installation, the scope of work includes specific components critical to wood performance:

• Site Preparation and Demolition: We begin by completely removing the existing roof system down to the deck. This is necessary to inspect the plywood sheathing for rot or delamination, particularly in older homes in Phoenix or Rogue River where leaks may have gone undetected.
• Decking Inspection and Repair: Cedar shakes require a solid nailable surface. We verify that the decking is sound and spaced correctly. If spaced sheathing (skip sheathing) is present, we ensure it is compatible with the new shake length to allow for proper airflow on the underside of the shingles.
• High-Performance Underlayment: We install a heavy-duty, breathable underlayment. Unlike asphalt roofs, cedar needs to "breathe." We use specific felts or synthetic underlayments designed to repel bulk water while allowing vapor to escape from the attic.
• Interlayment Installation: For shake roofs, we install an interlayment system. This involves placing a strip of felt paper between each course of shakes. This critical step directs water that gets between the shakes out onto the course below, preventing it from reaching the deck.
• Premium Cedar Materials: We source premium-grade shakes, typically taper-sawn or hand-split depending on your aesthetic preference. These are often treated with fire retardants and preservatives to meet local fire codes and resist fungal decay.
• Flashings and Ventilation: We replace all step flashing, apron flashing, and valley metal with high-gauge, corrosion-resistant metals (often copper or galvanized steel). We also install ridge vents and ensure intake ventilation is sufficient to prevent heat buildup, which can cook the shingles from the bottom up.
• Cleanup and Magnet Sweep: The job concludes with a thorough cleanup of the perimeter, including a magnetic sweep to remove nails, ensuring your property in Applegate or Merlin is safe for pets and family.

Step-by-Step Cedar Shake Installation Process

The installation of cedar shakes requires artisan-level carpentry skills. Unlike manufactured shingles which have a uniform shape, every wood shake is unique. The installation crew must make split-second decisions on placement to ensure proper coverage and water shedding.

• First, the crew establishes the eave protection. A starter course is installed along the eaves, often projecting slightly to ensure water drips clear of the fascia. Metal drip edge flashing is secured to protect the roof deck edges.
• Next, the underlayment and interlayment systems are applied. The crew works from the bottom up. For shakes, a layer of felt is interwoven with the wood courses. This is known as a "shake and felt" application, which creates a multi-layer barrier against wind-driven rain.
• Then, the shakes are nailed into place using stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails. Standard nails cannot be used with cedar because the natural tannins in the wood will corrode steel, causing unsightly black streaks and eventual fastener failure. The installers carefully position nails to be covered by the course above, shielding them from the elements.
• Simultaneously, the installers manage the keyways (the gaps between shakes). Unlike asphalt shingles, the gaps in cedar shakes must be offset from the course below by at least 1.5 inches to prevent water from having a direct path to the felt. This requires constant measuring and selection of the right-sized shake for each spot.
• After that, special attention is paid to valleys and penetrations. Metal valley flashing is installed with a "W" profile to prevent water from washing up the other side during heavy downpours. Chimneys and skylights receive new custom-bent flashing kits.
• Finally, the ridge is capped. We use pre-manufactured cedar ridge units or hand-assemble the ridge on-site. This is the highest point of the roof and takes the brunt of the weather, so it is reinforced for maximum wind resistance.

Deciding Between Repair and Replacement of Cedar Shake Roofing

Determining whether to repair or replace a cedar roof depends on the extent of the damage and the age of the wood. While cedar is durable, it is organic and has a finite lifespan. Making the right financial decision requires evaluating the remaining service life of the system.

When Repair is the Right Path:

• Localized Damage: If wind has blown off a few shakes in a specific area, or if a falling branch caused isolated damage, a repair is usually sufficient.
• Loose Ridge Caps: It is common for the ridge caps to loosen before the field shingles fail. If the main roof is sound, re-securing or replacing just the ridge caps is a cost-effective maintenance step.
• Moss Control: Surface moss can be cleaned. If the wood underneath is still solid and not spongy, a professional cleaning and treatment can extend the roof's life by several years.
• Flashing Leaks: Sometimes the wood is fine, but a pipe boot or flashing has failed. In these cases, we remove the surrounding shakes, replace the flashing, and reinstall the wood.

When Replacement is Necessary:

• Widespread Cupping and Curling: When shakes age, they naturally distort. However, if more than 30% of the roof shows severe cupping (edges turning up) or curling, the wood has lost its ability to shed water effectively.
• Splitting and Fraying: While some splitting is normal, splits that align with the gaps in the course below create direct leaks. If the shakes are brittle and shattering under foot traffic, the structural integrity is gone.
• Paper Failure: Sometimes the cedar looks okay, but the felt paper underneath has disintegrated. If we find that the interlayment has turned to dust, the waterproofing layer is compromised, necessitating a full tear-off.
• Rot and Softness: If the butt ends of the shakes crumble when touched or hold moisture like a sponge, the wood is rotting. This is common in shaded areas of Williams or Gold Hill where trees prevent the roof from drying out.

Navigating Local Roofing Codes and Seasonal Advice

Operating in Southern Oregon requires strict adherence to specific building codes and an understanding of regional weather patterns. The regulatory environment regarding wood roofing has changed significantly in recent years due to wildfire concerns.

Building Codes and Fire Safety:

Many municipalities, particularly those in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), have strict regulations regarding wood roofs. In areas like Ashland and parts of Medford, new cedar installations often must be Class A, B, or C fire-rated. This is achieved by using pressure-treated shakes that are impregnated with fire-retardant chemicals during manufacturing. We ensure that every installation meets the specific fire codes of your jurisdiction, whether you are in Grants Pass or Cave Junction. We handle the permitting process to verify that the materials used are compliant with local ordinances.

Seasonal Considerations for Installation:

The timing of your installation matters.

• Summer (June - September): This is the ideal time for cedar installation in our region. The dry weather ensures the deck is moisture-free before covering, and the heat allows the wood to acclimate.
• Fall (October - November): Operations continue, but we closely monitor rain forecasts. We use tarping systems to protect exposed decking during the transition season.
• Winter (December - February): While installation is possible, it is often slower. In higher elevations like Klamath Falls or Butte Falls, snow loads and freezing temperatures can delay projects. However, emergency replacements are managed with strict weatherproofing protocols.

Ventilation Requirements:

Local codes also dictate ventilation standards. A cedar roof that cannot breathe will rot prematurely. We calculate the Net Free Area (NFA) required for your attic space to ensure compliance with Oregon residential codes, balancing intake at the soffits with exhaust at the ridge.

What Sets Our Cedar Shake Roofing Services Apart

Choosing a contractor for cedar roofing is different from hiring someone for asphalt shingles. Cedar requires specific knowledge of wood grain, seasoning, and fastening that general roofers often lack.

• Certified Installers: We employ crews trained specifically in cedar application. They understand how to select shakes to avoid lining up keyways and how to space wood to account for swelling during the wet winters in Eagle Point and surrounds.
• Material Sourcing: We do not use "off-the-shelf" lumberyard shakes. We procure high-grade, Certi-Label shakes directly from reputable mills. This ensures consistent thickness, grain quality, and treatment levels.
• Comprehensive Warranty: We stand behind our craftsmanship. Because we follow the strict installation guidelines of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau, we are able to offer robust warranties that cover both materials and labor.
• Moisture Management Focus: We understand that the enemy of a cedar roof in Oregon is trapped moisture. Our installation methods prioritize ventilation and interlayment quality to ensure your roof dries out effectively after every storm.

Schedule Your On-Site Cedar Roof Evaluation Today

Your home deserves the protection and elegance that only a professionally installed cedar roof can provide. Do not let minor issues escalate into structural damage. Secure your investment with a team that understands the nuances of wood roofing in the Pacific Northwest.

Ready to restore or replace your cedar shake roof? Contact us today to schedule your on-site evaluation and project estimate.