Overview
Wood shake roofing brings an organic warmth and handcrafted character to residential architecture that manufactured materials cannot replicate. The naturally varied grain patterns, rich tones that deepen with age, and the textured surface created by hand-splitting or tapersawing create a roof surface with genuine visual depth and individuality. No two wood shake roofs look identical because the natural variation in each shake produces a unique pattern on every installation. In Essex County's tree-lined neighborhoods, where homes blend with the natural landscape, wood shake roofing creates a harmonious connection between built and natural environments.
Wood shakes are manufactured from western red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, or southern pine, with western red cedar being the most widely used due to its natural resistance to decay, insects, and moisture. The wood contains natural oils called thujaplicins that function as preservatives, giving cedar shakes inherent durability that other wood species lack without chemical treatment. When properly installed with adequate ventilation and periodic maintenance, cedar shake roofing can provide 30 to 50 years of service while developing the distinctive silver-grey patina that many homeowners prize.
Installing and maintaining wood shake roofing requires understanding of how natural wood interacts with the Essex County climate. Cedar shakes expand and contract with moisture content changes, which affects how they are spaced during installation. They require air circulation underneath to dry properly after rainfall, which demands specific underlayment and batten configurations. Fire treatment may be required depending on local building codes, and periodic maintenance including cleaning, treatment application, and selective replacement of deteriorated shakes extends the roof's service life significantly. Newark Quality Roofing brings the specialized knowledge and craftsmanship that wood shake installations demand.
The grading system for wood shakes distinguishes products by quality, thickness, and production method. Number 1 grade, also called premium or blue label, is produced entirely from heartwood with no sapwood, flat grain, or defects permitted. Number 2 grade allows limited sapwood and flat grain, while number 3 grade is a utility product not suitable for roofing. Tapersawn shakes are sawn on both sides to a precise taper, producing a smoother texture than hand-split products. Hand-split and resawn shakes are split on the face for texture and sawn on the back for uniform thickness, combining the rustic appearance of splitting with the installation consistency of a sawn back surface. Understanding these distinctions helps homeowners select the product that matches their aesthetic vision and performance expectations for their Essex County home.
500+ projects completed in Essex County
15+ years serving Essex County · GAF Certified Contractor · Fully insured and bonded
Signs You Need Wood Shake Roofing
- You want a roofing material that creates natural warmth and organic character on your home's exterior
- Existing wood shakes are splitting, curling, or developing significant cracks that compromise their weatherproofing ability
- Individual shakes have become thin and fragile from decades of weathering, losing the structural thickness needed to resist wind and rain
- Moss and lichen growth has become pervasive despite cleaning efforts, indicating that the wood surface has deteriorated to a point that supports aggressive biological colonization
- Your home's architectural style calls for the rustic, natural appearance that only genuine wood provides
- The existing shake roof is approaching 30 to 40 years of age and showing system-wide deterioration rather than isolated failures
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Our Wood Shake Roofing Approach
Wood shake installation requires an approach fundamentally different from shingle or membrane roofing. Each shake is a natural product with unique dimensions, thickness variations, and grain characteristics that the installer must evaluate and accommodate individually. Our installers hand-select each shake from the delivery bundle, placing thicker shakes at eave courses where they are most visible and sorting for color consistency across the roof surface. This selection process is labor-intensive but produces a dramatically more attractive and uniform result than random installation.
The underlayment system for wood shakes is engineered to provide both waterproofing and ventilation. Rather than the continuous underlayment used under asphalt shingles, wood shake installations typically use an interlayment system where strips of breathable material are placed between shake courses. This allows air circulation that is essential for drying the underside of each shake after rainfall. Trapped moisture is the primary enemy of wood roofing, causing premature rot, fungal growth, and structural deterioration. Our installation method maximizes air circulation while maintaining the waterproofing redundancy needed for the Essex County climate.
Fire resistance is an important consideration for wood shake roofing in New Jersey. Untreated wood shakes carry a Class C fire rating, which may not meet local building codes. Pressure-treated fire-retardant shakes achieve Class B or Class A ratings that satisfy code requirements throughout Essex County. We exclusively install treated shakes for new installations and recommend treatment application during maintenance visits on existing untreated roofs. The treatment also includes preservatives that extend the wood's resistance to decay and insect damage.
Proper spacing between individual shakes during installation is critical for long-term performance in the Essex County climate. Cedar absorbs moisture and expands during the frequent rain events and high-humidity periods common in northern New Jersey. If shakes are butted tightly against each other during installation, the expansion from moisture absorption creates buckling and lifting that allows wind-driven rain beneath the shake surface. Our installers maintain quarter-inch gaps between adjacent shakes, which provides the expansion room needed while being narrow enough that the interlayment system beneath prevents water passage through the joints. This spacing also promotes lateral air movement that aids drying after rainfall, reducing the moisture retention time that accelerates biological growth and decay.
Residential Wood Shake Roofing
A wood shake roof transforms the entire character of your home, creating a natural, inviting aesthetic that turns heads in any neighborhood. The warm cedar tones that greet visitors, the distinctive texture visible from the street, and the way the roof weathers gracefully over time into a dignified silver-grey all contribute to a home that stands apart from the uniform appearance of mass-produced roofing materials. For homeowners who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and connection to natural materials, wood shake roofing delivers an experience that no synthetic alternative can match.
Living with a wood shake roof requires a commitment to maintenance that exceeds what other roofing materials demand. Annual inspection, periodic cleaning to remove debris and biological growth, treatment application every three to five years, and selective replacement of individual deteriorated shakes are all part of responsible wood shake ownership. We are transparent about these maintenance requirements during the consultation process because we want every homeowner who chooses wood shake to do so with realistic expectations. For those willing to invest in the care that wood requires, the reward is a roof of unmatched natural beauty and character.
Cost considerations for wood shake roofing place it in the premium category, typically between asphalt shingles and natural slate. Material costs are higher than asphalt, and the labor-intensive installation process adds to the project price. When combined with the ongoing maintenance investment, the total cost of ownership over the roof's lifespan exceeds asphalt but delivers a fundamentally different aesthetic and living experience. For many Essex County homeowners, the character and distinction that wood shake provides justifies the premium investment.
Home value impact from wood shake roofing is notable in Essex County's tree-lined communities. In neighborhoods throughout Maplewood, South Orange, and Millburn where mature landscaping and natural materials define the streetscape character, a wood shake roof complements the environment in ways that manufactured materials cannot. Real estate agents consistently note that homes with wood shake roofing attract buyers who value craftsmanship and natural aesthetics, and these buyers are typically willing to pay a premium for the authentic character that cedar provides. The natural insulation properties of thick cedar shakes also contribute to energy efficiency, with wood providing roughly four times the thermal resistance per inch compared to asphalt, reducing both heating and cooling costs for the living spaces below.
Wood Shake Roofing for Commercial Properties
Select commercial properties in Essex County utilize wood shake roofing to establish a specific architectural character. Country clubs, boutique hotels, restaurants seeking a rustic ambiance, and commercial properties in architecturally controlled districts may specify wood shake to complement the surrounding environment or meet aesthetic requirements. Our commercial wood shake installations meet the enhanced fire rating and structural requirements that commercial construction demands while delivering the natural beauty that motivated the material selection.
Commercial wood shake installations require particular attention to fire code compliance, which is typically more stringent for commercial occupancies than residential applications. We use pressure-treated Class A fire-rated shakes for all commercial installations and can provide the documentation needed for building department approval, insurance underwriting, and ongoing compliance verification. Ventilation design for commercial applications is engineered to accommodate the larger roof spans typical of commercial buildings.
Maintenance planning is especially important for commercial wood shake roofs because the consequences of deferred maintenance on a commercial building include not just material deterioration but potential code violations, insurance coverage issues, and liability exposure. We develop written maintenance plans for commercial wood shake installations that schedule inspection, cleaning, treatment, and repair activities at appropriate intervals and provide the documentation needed for property management records and insurance requirements.
Our Process
Material Selection
Choose from western red cedar grades and treatments. We present samples showing color variation, thickness options, and fire treatment levels to match your aesthetic vision and code requirements.
Structural Verification
Wood shakes are heavier than asphalt shingles, and the spaced sheathing or batten system used for shake installation requires verification that the roof structure can accommodate the load and configuration properly.
Deck and Underlayment Configuration
Depending on roof pitch and local code, we install either spaced skip sheathing for maximum ventilation or solid sheathing with breathable interlayment between shake courses to ensure proper drying conditions.
Shake Installation
Each shake is hand-selected, positioned with proper spacing for expansion, and fastened with stainless steel nails. Courses are maintained at precise exposure widths and interlayment is woven between each course.
Flashing and Detail Work
All transitions, penetrations, and edge conditions receive copper or stainless steel flashing detailed specifically for wood shake integration. Valley treatments and hip and ridge caps complete the system.
Treatment and Maintenance Plan
The completed roof receives initial preservative and UV protection treatment. We provide a written maintenance schedule specifying inspection, cleaning, and retreatment intervals for maximum service life.
Wood Shake Roofing Pricing in Essex County
Typical Price Range
$14,000–$30,000
Cost Factors:
- Roof size and square footage
- Material selection and quality grade
- Complexity of roof design (pitch, valleys, penetrations)
- Current condition and extent of existing damage
0% financing available on qualifying projects. Ask about our flexible payment plans when you call for your free estimate.
Why Choose Newark Quality Roofing for Wood Shake Roofing
Licensed & Certified Experts
NJ HIC licensed, GAF Certified Contractor with 15+ years of hands-on experience across Essex County. Every project meets the highest industry standards.
Transparent, Upfront Pricing
Detailed written estimates before work begins. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. You know exactly what you're paying for before we touch your roof.
Premium Materials & Warranties
We install only top-tier products from GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, and Firestone — backed by manufacturer warranties up to 50 years.
Fast Response & Emergency Service
Same-day estimates and 24/7 emergency crews. When your roof needs attention, we're there — not next week, not tomorrow, today.
Local Team, Local Reputation
We live and work in Essex County. Our reputation rides on every job. We treat your property like it belongs to a neighbor — because it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a wood shake roof last in the New Jersey climate?
Are wood shake roofs a fire hazard?
What maintenance does a wood shake roof require?
What is the difference between wood shakes and wood shingles?
How much does wood shake roofing cost in Essex County, NJ?
Learn More About Wood Shake Roofing
Signs You Need Wood Shake Roofing in NJ
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Compare NowWhat Our Customers Say
“They replaced our entire roof after storm damage and handled everything with our insurance company. The crew was professional, on time, and left the property spotless. Could not be happier with the result.”
Marcus Johnson
Newark, NJ · Roof Replacement
“We called for an emergency leak repair during a heavy rainstorm and they were at our door within two hours. Fast, honest, and fairly priced. They have a customer for life.”
Angela Morales
Montclair, NJ · Emergency Roof Repair