Cedar shake
Cedar shake roof repair and replacement in Atlanta
Cedar shakes give a house a look nothing else quite matches, and they ask more of their owner in return. We keep good shake roofs going, and we say so when a replacement makes more sense.
- Calls answered 24/7
- Repair or full replacement
- Atlanta service office
Quick answer
Cedar shake roofing in Atlanta costs about $1,200 to $2,200 per square installed in 2026, according to published Georgia pricing, well above architectural shingles. Repairs replace split, cupped or rotted shakes and worn flashing; replacement installs new shakes over modern underlayment and ventilation, or converts the roof to synthetic shake or architectural shingles when upkeep is the concern.
The work
What cedar asks of an Atlanta homeowner
Cedar is a natural wood roof. It weathers to silver, sheds water through overlapping courses, and relies on air moving around it to dry after rain. When shakes stay damp, they grow moss, cup, split and eventually rot, and shaded slopes age far faster than sunny ones.
That makes cedar a roof you maintain, not one you forget. Kept clean and repaired, it lasts; ignored, it fails in patches.
Updated September 2026
Options
Cedar, synthetic shake or architectural shingle
| Factor | Cedar shake | Synthetic shake | Architectural shingle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Natural wood, weathers to gray | Molded to look like wood | Dimensional asphalt |
| Upkeep | Cleaning and periodic repairs | Low | Low |
| Installed cost | Highest of the three | Between the two | Lowest |
| Weak point | Moisture, moss and rot in shade | Varies by product | Hail bruising and granule loss |
If you love the look, cedar or synthetic keeps it; if upkeep is the problem, architectural shingles end it.
Cost
What moves the price of a cedar roof
Cedar is priced by the square for replacement and by the piece for repairs.
Planning range from published Atlanta and Georgia market data: $1,200 to $2,200 per square. That is 2026 published installed pricing for cedar shake in Georgia; repairs are priced by the number of shakes and the access. Every roof measures differently; this is a planning band, not a quote.
- Grade of shake
Thicker, higher grades cost more.
- Roof size and pitch
Squares and steepness.
- Deck work
Solid sheathing over spaced boards.
- Tear-off
Old shakes removed and hauled.
- Flashing
Valleys, walls and chimneys.
- Conversion option
Synthetic or shingles change the price.
What is included
What a cedar shake replacement includes
- Tear-off to the deck. Old shakes and interlayment removed.
- Deck check. Spaced boards or sheathing repaired.
- Underlayment. Modern underlayment beneath the shakes.
- New shakes. Laid with proper spacing and exposure.
- Stainless fasteners. Fasteners suited to cedar.
- Flashing. Valleys, walls and chimneys renewed.
- Ventilation. Ridge and soffit balanced so it can dry.
Cedar shake replacement
A cedar replacement starts with a full tear-off, because shakes laid over old ones trap moisture. We check the deck, whether spaced boards or solid sheathing, install modern underlayment, and lay new shakes with the spacing and exposure the grade calls for, fastened with stainless nails that will not streak or corrode. Ridge and soffit ventilation is set up so the underside of the roof can dry, which is what lets a cedar roof reach its full life in a humid climate.
Cedar shake repair
Individual shakes split, cup and slip, and a handful of failed pieces can let water reach the deck long before the rest of the roof is worn. We replace split or rotted shakes by sliding new ones into the course and fastening them under the course above, so no nail heads are left exposed. Moss is removed by hand and the roof cleaned gently. Valleys, ridge caps and flashing are checked on every repair, since they tend to wear first.
Converting shake to synthetic or architectural shingles
When shaded slopes keep rotting or the upkeep has become the problem, a conversion keeps the house protected without another cedar cycle. Synthetic shake keeps the look with far less maintenance; architectural shingles cost the least and suit most houses. Either way, the conversion is a full tear-off: spaced plank decking usually needs solid sheathing laid over it first, and inside Atlanta city limits the new roof must carry the cool-roof reflectance rating. We price the options against each other so you can see the trade-off in dollars.
What cedar costs across metro Atlanta
Cedar is one of the most labor-intensive roofs to install, so it feels the metro's labor costs more than most. Roofing labor across metro Atlanta runs roughly 15 to 25 percent above rural Georgia, and that premium applies to every hand-laid course. It is one reason we price a cedar repair, a cedar replacement and a conversion side by side, so you can see what the look is costing before you choose.
How it runs
How a cedar roof job runs
- 1
Inspect every slope
Shaded and sunny slopes compared.
- 2
Repair or replace
An honest recommendation with photos.
- 3
Written options
Cedar, synthetic and shingle priced.
- 4
Permit and materials
Filed and ordered for replacements.
- 5
Install
Deck, underlayment, shakes and flashing.
- 6
Cleanup and walk-through
Debris cleared, roof reviewed with you.
FAQ
Cedar shake questions
It depends heavily on shade, ventilation and upkeep. Shaded, poorly ventilated cedar fails much sooner than sunny, well-kept cedar.
Yes. Split or rotted shakes can be replaced individually, as long as the roof around them is sound.
No. High pressure tears up the wood fibers. Gentle cleaning and hand removal of moss is the safer approach.
If you want the look without the upkeep, often yes. It costs less than cedar and more than shingles.
Inside Atlanta city limits a full replacement must carry the reflectance rating, so check the rated product before choosing.
Yes. Stainless fasteners avoid corrosion and streaking in cedar.
Related
Other roofing materials we install
Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement
Architectural shingle replacement, cool-roof rated shingles and more.
Learn moreBarn & Outbuilding Roofing
Covers detached garages and workshops and carports and lean-tos.
Learn moreRoof Decking Repair & Replacement
Decking after a fire or tree strike, plus rotted plywood and osb.
Learn moreCedar roof showing its age?
Call and we will price a repair, a cedar replacement and a conversion side by side.