Valley metal
Fresh flashing goes in at every penetration for a watertight finish.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement New Milford, NJ
A roofer in New Milford 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. Call (551) 374-2044 to reach a local roofer.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. The shakes erode thinner every year, the butts rot, the nails rust through and the wood turns so brittle that a roofer cannot replace one shake without cracking three more. That is when replacing the roof costs less over time than chasing leaks.
A wood roof cannot be covered over. 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. Tear-off also lets the roofer see and fix every rotted board.
Most cedar roofs sit on spaced sheathing, and that affects every option. Many older wood roofs were built on spaced boards with gaps for airflow, which works for new cedar but not for asphalt shingles, metal or most synthetic products. Damaged boards are swapped before anything new goes on.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement is often paired with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair, depending on the cause.
Need cedar shake roof replacement in New Milford? Call (551) 374-2044 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.
Plan the new roof
The roofer inspects the deck from the attic, measures the roof and talks through new cedar versus synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal. Local permits and any material rules are confirmed.
Prepare the site
Gutters, shrubs and patios are covered before the old roof comes off. 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.
Sheathing work
Damaged boards are cut out, and the deck is sheathed solid for asphalt, metal or most synthetic products. 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
Rotted boards are replaced and solid sheathing is added if needed so fasteners hold firmly.
Ice barrier
The deck is dried in with fresh underlayment under the new roof.
Old roof removal
Every layer comes off with debris hauled away.
Debris removal
Old cedar, felt and nails are hauled away and stray nails are collected.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement New Milford, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. 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 New Milford home, the choice depends on the house, the budget and local guidelines.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In New Milford, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. Across New Milford and nearby towns like River Edge, Bergenfield, Dumont and Oradell, some owners put cedar back to keep the look while others switch to synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
For cedar shake roof replacement in New Milford, NJ or nearby towns like River Edge, Bergenfield, Dumont and Oradell, call (551) 374-2044 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. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder 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. That is why roof repair in New Milford is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across New Milford and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
The choice depends on the look, maintenance and rules in your area. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. Seeing samples side by side helps.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Laying new material over shakes causes more problems than it solves. The old wood stays damp under the new layer and the surface is too uneven to lay flat. A tear-off also lets the roofer fix the deck.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
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. Soft or split boards are replaced no matter what.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
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. Anything other than cedar typically requires sheathing the roof solid.
How many days does it take to replace a cedar roof?
A typical house takes several working days. 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.
More questions? Call (551) 374-2044
Other services that may help
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Cedar roof installation from the sheathing and starter course up to the ridge, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, without tearing off the shakes that still have years left.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Replacing an aging roof with new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, with the old layers removed and the deck checked.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a New Milford roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call now for New Milford cedar shake roof replacement and help in the towns around it.