Old roof removal
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards section by section.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Millburn, NJ
A roofer in Millburn can replace a worn-out cedar shake roof by tearing off the old shakes and felt down to the sheathing, repairing or adding decking and installing a new roof, whether that is new cedar or a different material. One call to (973) 858-1841 reaches a nearby cedar roof replacement pro.
Cedar roofs reach a point where repair stops making sense. Once shakes are paper thin at the butts, curling across whole slopes and breaking at a touch, the roof is done even if it only leaks in a few spots. That is when replacing the roof costs less over time than chasing leaks.
Unlike some asphalt roofs, cedar has to come off completely. Covering old shakes traps wet wood under the new roof, leaves bumps and adds fuel load, which is why codes generally require a tear-off. Tear-off also lets the roofer see and fix every rotted board.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. If new cedar goes back on, sound spaced boards can stay, but switching to another material means sheathing the roof solid. Any soft or split boards are cut out and replaced.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement is often paired with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Millburn, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1841 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof replacement process
Old wood roofs produce a lot of debris and some surprises.
Choose the material
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Permits are pulled and any neighborhood or fire rules are checked.
Site prep
The crew protects landscaping, siding and windows and sets a dumpster close to the house. Spaced sheathing lets debris fall into the attic, so cover anything stored there.
Tear-off
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
Sheathing work
Damaged boards are cut out, and the deck is sheathed solid for asphalt, metal or most synthetic products. Nothing else on the roof works if the deck is weak.
Dry in the roof
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. For new cedar, a breathable mat or spaced boards keep air moving under the shakes.
Finish the roof
The new roof goes on with new valley metal, step flashing, pipe boots and ridge ventilation. Cleanup includes rolling a magnet over the lawn for nails.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
New flashing
Valleys, walls, vents and skylights get new metal matched to the new roof.
Sheathing
Rotted boards are replaced and solid sheathing is added if needed for the new roofing material.
Underlayment
Ice and water membrane goes in at the eaves and valleys before the finish roof goes on.
Debris removal
Debris is removed daily so the yard is safe to walk.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Millburn, NJ
Cedar shingle roof replacement is common on older homes, where sawn shingles were the standard roof long before asphalt. Many were built on open board decks, and some were roofed over decades ago, which means two layers to remove. With everything removed, the boards are checked and repaired or covered with solid sheathing.
Putting cedar shingles back preserves the character of an older house. Local design rules may limit what can replace a historic wood roof. For a Millburn home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Millburn, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. For homes in Millburn and nearby places including Vauxhall, Springfield, Short Hills and Union, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
For cedar shake roof replacement in Millburn, NJ or nearby towns like Vauxhall, Springfield, Short Hills and Union, call (973) 858-1841 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Millburn
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Millburn, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Millburn know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement FAQ
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
Your own priorities decide it. Real cedar looks great and lasts decades with care, while look-alike materials trade some character for lower maintenance. Ask to compare cedar with alternatives first.
How long does a cedar roof replacement take?
Most homes take several days, with larger or steep roofs taking longer. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. The roofer opens only as much roof each day as can be dried in before evening.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
The answer hinges on the new roofing material. If you switch from cedar, the roof will need solid sheathing. Damaged boards always get replaced.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
You can put cedar back or choose a material that looks like it. Options include new cedar, composite shakes, dimensional asphalt shingles and metal roofing designed to look like shakes. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Laying new material over shakes causes more problems than it solves. Shakes create an irregular surface and trap moisture under the new roofing. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1841
Often needed together
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, so the wood can dry and last for decades.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Repairs for split shakes, rot at the butts, moss buildup and leaking valleys on wood roofs, matched to what a close look at the roof actually finds.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, built to current code from the decking out.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, including permits, cleanup and a final check.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Millburn roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (973) 858-1841 to talk to a roofer serving Millburn, NJ.