Repair, care and replacement for the roof you have.
Keep the cedar character or plan a change with a clear understanding of the work. Paragon Roofing BC assesses cedar roofs, discusses practical repair options and prepares installation or replacement scope for homes, commercial buildings and strata properties.
A cedar roof’s colour and surface texture are only part of the assessment. The condition of the wood and details matters too.
START WITH THE ROOF
What brings you to the cedar roof?
A leak or visible damage
Tell us where the stain appears, when it happens and what has already been repaired. A missing shake, an opening at a flashing and condensation inside the roof space call for different investigations. The assessment should explain the suspected cause and what remains concealed.
Planning ahead
If you are comparing a new cedar roof with another material, start with the existing condition and the look you want to retain. Include your maintenance preferences, access constraints and any insurer or strata requirements in the discussion.
Photographs taken safely from the ground or inside the home can help explain the concern. Avoid walking on the roof to test a suspect area. For an active leak, call to discuss the situation and current availability.
TELL US WHAT YOU ARE SEEING
Request a cedar roofing assessment
Share the property location, roof concerns and whether you are considering repairs, new cedar or a conversion. Mention previous work and any documents or photographs available. We can discuss the next assessment step and the information needed for an estimate.
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CONDITION BEFORE COMMITMENT
Repair, maintain, replace or convert?
A weathered appearance or a roof’s age does not settle the decision. Ask whether the problem is local, whether adjacent cedar can support a repair and whether the roof has wider deterioration. A recommendation should explain both the work and its limits.
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Four approaches to an existing cedar roof
Approach
When it may fit
What the assessment should establish
Targeted repair
A limited area of damaged or displaced cedar, or a specific leak detail.
The cause, repair boundary, surrounding condition and compatibility of replacement pieces.
Maintenance and moss control
Debris or surface growth on cedar that remains serviceable.
A suitable care method, drainage needs and any repairs that cleaning will not resolve.
Replacement with new cedar
The existing covering needs replacement and retaining natural cedar is a priority.
Product selection, supporting assembly, applicable requirements and an ongoing care plan.
Conversion to another material
You want a different covering, appearance or maintenance routine.
Removal and deck preparation for the selected asphalt, synthetic or metal roof system.
Ask for photographs and a clear explanation of the findings. Our guide to spotting cedar roof failure
can help you describe visible concerns before an assessment.
LOOK AT THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY
Cedar surfaces, junctions and support
These views show different parts of a cedar roof. A colour change can make a repair visible, while the removal view exposes spaced boards beneath the covering. Neither photograph establishes the condition of a different property or the specification it needs.
Lighter cedar beside older shakes at a roof junction. Include the adjoining covering and flashing in the repair assessment.Old cedar partly removed beside a brick chimney, exposing spaced boards. Assess support before specifying the replacement assembly.
CARE THAT FITS THE CONDITION
Cedar roof maintenance and moss control
Paragon’s cedar services include inspection, repairs and moss cleaning. Agree on the proposed method after the material and condition have been assessed. Cleaning can address buildup; it cannot replace missing wood, repair a flashing or reverse decay.
Keep debris from accumulating in roof channels and gutters, and keep ventilation openings clear. Arrange suitable help with overhanging branches and drainage. The care plan should account for shade, tree cover and areas that remain damp rather than apply the same schedule to every roof.
Discuss cleaning and treatments separately
Ask what will be used, why it suits the cedar and how surrounding surfaces and runoff will be protected. Aggressive washing can damage wood. A treatment should be checked against the product’s instructions and existing treatments; sealing cedar with an unsuitable waterproof coating can trap moisture.
Request an itemized maintenance scope: areas to be cleaned, repairs included, excluded defects and the point at which further inspection would be needed. Keep the assessment record so later changes can be compared with actual observations.
RETAIN THE CEDAR CHARACTER
Planning a new cedar shake roof
Natural cedar offers visible grain, variation and depth. Choose the actual product before finalizing the details. Handsplit shakes, tapersawn shakes and shingles have different profiles; the quotation should identify the type, grade, size and any factory treatment rather than say only “cedar roofing.”
The layers need to work together
Review the support, roof slope, underlayment or interlay, fasteners, flashings and ventilation for the selected product. Spaced boards and solid decking require different detailing. The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau’s installation guidance and the manufacturer’s instructions help define the assembly, alongside applicable local requirements.
Include valleys, hips, ridges, walls, skylights and chimneys in the scope. A roof has many junctions; the field of cedar alone does not describe the complete job. Confirm which existing components remain and which will be replaced.
Appearance, care and expectations
Compare physical samples and discuss how new cedar will look beside retained sections. Natural variation and weathering are part of the material. Claims about a fixed lifespan, cooler attic temperatures or wind performance should relate to documented products and assemblies, not a general promise for every cedar roof.
MAKE THE QUOTES COMPARABLE
What changes cedar roofing cost?
Roof area, height, pitch, access, the chosen cedar and the number of roof junctions all affect the work. So do removal, waste handling and concealed repairs. A small repair and a complete replacement should have different, clearly defined scopes.
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Cedar roofing estimate checklist
Part of the scope
Details to identify
Question to resolve
Assessment and removal
Roof areas, retained sections, existing layers and disposal.
What is included, and what cannot be confirmed until removal?
Cedar and support
Product, grade, size, treatment and required deck preparation.
Are the quotations for the same covering and supporting work?
Water and moisture details
Underlayment, interlay where required, flashings, ventilation and drainage.
Which junctions or existing components are excluded?
Access and protection
Staging, deliveries, bins, landscaping and occupant access.
How will the property be protected while the roof is open?
Changes and completion
Concealed repair pricing, approvals, cleanup, records, warranties and taxes.
Who approves extra work, and which terms apply to materials and workmanship?
Ask for optional work to be priced separately and for an agreed process to approve changes. A treatment-only price is not a replacement price, and the cost of cedar bundles alone does not describe an installed roof.
WHEN YOU WANT A DIFFERENT COVERING
Compare cedar replacement with conversion
Conversion means removing the existing cedar and preparing the roof for another material. Asphalt shingles, synthetic products and metal systems differ in appearance, support, detailing and maintenance. The existing roof needs assessment before those options can be compared fairly.
Asphalt shingles around a skylight and roof penetration. A conversion proposal should include these details, as well as the new covering.Intersecting asphalt roof planes with skylights and vents. This is a material comparison, not a before-and-after pair.
Keeping cedar may suit your architectural preference; changing material may better fit another set of priorities. Compare complete proposals, the actual product documentation and future care. No roofing material should be treated as maintenance free.
BEFORE CHOOSING A MATERIAL
Fire exposure, insurance and approvals
FireSmart BC identifies untreated wood shakes as a wildfire vulnerability and recommends a Class A fire-rated roof assembly for the strongest roof protection. Clear accumulated leaves and needles from roofs and gutters as part of ongoing care.
If fire resistance is a priority, request documentation for the complete proposed assembly. A product described as treated, or a coating applied later, does not by itself establish the fire rating of your roof.
Before committing to a material, check your insurer’s requirements and confirm the proposed scope with the local municipality. Heritage conditions, strata rules and alterations can affect the approvals needed. Put responsibility for checking and obtaining those approvals in the written scope.
FROM FIRST VISIT TO HANDOVER
A clear plan for the roofing work
Assess and explain
Review the roof, leak history, visible defects and access. Ask which findings support a repair, maintenance or replacement recommendation and what remains unknown.
Agree on the scope
Confirm materials, roof areas, junctions, protection, approval responsibilities and change pricing. For strata and commercial properties, identify the decision maker and resident or tenant communication needs.
Prepare for the site work
Discuss weather protection, delivery access, noise, vibration and disposal. Agree how concealed damage and schedule changes will be communicated before work moves beyond the accepted scope.
Keep the records
Review the completed scope and outstanding items. Retain product information, photographs where agreed, maintenance instructions and the actual written warranty terms.
QUICK ANSWERS
Cedar roofing questions
Can a cedar shake roof be repaired instead of replaced?
A localized defect may be repairable if the surrounding cedar and supporting details remain suitable. Widespread deterioration or recurring problems may change that conclusion. Ask the assessor to explain the repair boundary and what it will not address.
Does moss mean my cedar roof has failed?
Moss alone does not establish the condition of the entire roof. The wood, drainage and adjoining details need inspection. Cleaning can be part of maintenance, but it does not repair decay or a leaking junction.
Can you match new cedar to the existing roof?
A repair can use a compatible product, but new wood may look different from weathered cedar. Discuss the profile, thickness and expected visual difference before agreeing on the repair.
How long will a cedar roof last?
There is no reliable single lifespan for every property. Product quality, construction, exposure, detailing and care all matter. An assessment of the existing roof is more useful than replacing it solely because it has reached a quoted age.
What is included in cedar roof restoration?
The word can describe different combinations of cleaning, repairs and treatment. Ask for the exact tasks and products in writing, including excluded damage. Do not assume a restoration quotation includes replacement or that a treatment repairs deteriorated wood.
Should I pressure wash my cedar roof?
Do not treat aggressive washing as a routine default. Have the roof assessed and agree on a method suitable for its condition and product guidance. Cleaning and treatment should be planned separately from any needed repairs.
Will replacing cedar require new decking?
It depends on the existing support and selected roof system. Some roofs have spaced boards; other assemblies use continuous decking. The proposal should explain the inspection and preparation needed, including how concealed repairs will be priced.
Can I keep the cedar look with another material?
Some synthetic roofing products offer shake-style profiles. Compare actual samples, installation requirements and written coverage. Appearance alone does not establish suitability for your roof or the complete cost of conversion.
Will my insurer accept a cedar roof?
Check directly with your insurer before selecting or retaining a material. Provide the condition information and product documentation they request. A roofer’s estimate is not confirmation of insurance coverage.
Do you work on strata and commercial cedar roofs?
Contact Paragon Roofing BC with the property, existing roof and proposed scope. Include the management contact, approval process, access restrictions and occupancy needs so the assessment and proposal can address the building.
A shaded site, an exposed roof and a building with several roof levels can present different conditions. The assessment should reflect the actual property. If you are unsure which service fits, contact Paragon Roofing BC
with the concern rather than choose a material first.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES
Reviews from Paragon customers
Customer feedback below covers work across our service area. Discuss your own cedar roof’s condition and the written scope when deciding on the next step.
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YOUR NEXT STEP
Let’s assess your cedar roof
Tell us about the property and what you would like to resolve. Whether you want to keep natural cedar, address a leak or compare a conversion, start with the condition and a clear scope.
