Full tear-off
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards so the deck can be inspected.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Harrison, NJ
Replacing a cedar roof in Harrison starts with removing every old shake and strip of felt interlay, then fixing the boards underneath before the new roof goes on, so the new roof starts on solid, dry wood. Call (551) 348-3304 to reach a local roofer.
Cedar roofs reach a point where repair stops making sense. After decades of weather, shakes lose thickness, split easily and no longer hold a nail, so new pieces have nothing solid to tie into. That is when replacing the roof costs less over time than chasing leaks.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. Shakes are uneven and hold moisture, so anything laid on top sits on a lumpy, damp base, and most codes do not allow roofing over wood shakes. Removing everything is the only way to inspect the deck.
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. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Depending on what the roofer finds, cedar shake roof replacement in Harrison, NJ can go hand in hand with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in Harrison? Call (551) 348-3304 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Harrison.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a cedar roof replacement
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
Planning
Before any tear-off, you decide what goes back on, since that choice decides whether the deck needs solid sheathing. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Prepare the site
The crew protects landscaping, siding and windows and sets a dumpster close to the house. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
Remove the old roof
The old shakes and felt are stripped section by section so the roof is never left open longer than needed. If an old asphalt layer was ever laid over the cedar, it comes off too.
Repair the deck
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. A sound deck is what the new fasteners rely on.
Dry-in
Ice and water membrane goes along the eaves and valleys, then underlayment covers the deck and new drip edge is installed. Cedar gets a ventilated layer, while other roofs get standard underlayment.
Finish the roof
New roofing is installed with fresh flashing at every wall, valley and penetration. A magnetic sweep of the yard and driveway picks up stray nails.
What is included
Parts of a cedar roof replacement
Deck repair
Damaged sheathing is renewed so fasteners hold firmly.
Valley metal
Valleys, walls, vents and skylights get new metal for a watertight finish.
Debris removal
The site is cleaned and swept with magnets leaving the property clean.
Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment before the finish roof goes on.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Harrison, NJ
Cedar shingle roof replacement is common on older homes, where sawn shingles were the standard roof long before asphalt. It is common to find original shingles hidden under a later asphalt roof, both of which come off. After tear-off, the roof deck is inspected and brought up to standard.
New cedar shingles restore the tailored, historic appearance many owners want to keep. If your home is in a historic area, check what materials are allowed. For a Harrison home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Many cedar roofs being replaced in Harrison are the original wood on homes several decades old. For homes in Harrison and nearby places including Newark, Kearny, North Arlington and East Orange, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, so it helps to see samples before the tear-off.
For cedar shake roof replacement in Harrison, NJ or nearby towns like Newark, Kearny, North Arlington and East Orange, call (551) 348-3304 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
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, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Harrison, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Harrison 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 questions
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
That comes down to what you want from the roof. New cedar keeps the natural look and suits many older homes, but it needs regular cleaning and some care to reach its full life. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
It comes down to the material you choose. New cedar can go on sound spaced boards, but asphalt shingles, metal and most synthetic products need solid plywood or OSB. Any rotted boards are replaced either way.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
Most homes take several days, with larger or steep roofs taking longer. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. The roof is never left open overnight.
What can I replace my cedar shake roof with?
You can put cedar back or choose a material that looks like it. Common choices are new cedar, polymer shakes, architectural shingles and metal shake panels. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Roofing over cedar shakes is a bad idea and is not allowed under most codes. The shakes are uneven and hold moisture, so the new roof sits on a lumpy, damp base, and the old wood adds fuel load. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
More questions? Call (551) 348-3304
Often needed together
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Cedar roof repairs from single cracked shakes up to worn ridge caps and open valleys, matched to what a close look at the roof actually finds.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Full tear-off and replacement for roofs that are worn out, storm beaten or leaking in several places, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, including permits, cleanup and a final check.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet cedar shake roof replacement help in Harrison
Call (551) 348-3304 for a local roofer in Harrison and nearby towns.