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Roof Replacement

Cedar Shake & Shingle Roofing in Toronto & the GTA

Cedar roofs divide people. Owners love the way a cedar shake roof weathers to silver-grey and how it suits older neighbourhoods where asphalt looks flat and wrong. Sceptics point at the upkeep, and they're not wrong either. A cedar roof is a living material on top of your house — it needs air, drainage and occasional attention, and in exchange it gives you a roof with real character that can run 30 years or more.

The build matters more with wood than any other roofing. Shakes are split, thicker and rustic; wood shingles are sawn and tailored. Either way, the roof must breathe from both sides — which is why proper cedar goes over strapping or a ventilating mesh, never trapped flat against underlayment. Grade matters too: 100% edge-grain, heartwood cedar earns its lifespan, while flat-grain bargain material curls and splits within a decade of GTA freeze-thaw.

We quote new cedar roof installation, cedar roof restoration where the field is sound but ridges, valleys or flashings have gone, and honest triage in between. Plenty of "failing" cedar roofs need a few squares of shakes and new valley metal, not a tear-off. And if your budget or appetite for maintenance says no to wood, we'll show you the synthetic alternatives that borrow the look without the upkeep.

What this covers

  • Tear-off of the old roof and full deck inspection
  • Ice and water protection at eaves and valleys, with breathable underlayment above
  • Strapping or ventilating underlayment mesh so the cedar can dry from both faces
  • Premium-grade cedar shakes or sawn wood shingles, hand-nailed with stainless or hot-dipped fasteners
  • Interleaved felt between shake courses where the system calls for it
  • New valley metal, drip edge and flashings at all penetrations
  • Ridge and hip caps built from matching cedar
  • Debris removal and site cleanup

What affects the price

  • Shakes versus sawn shingles, and the grade and thickness within each
  • Cedar quality — edge-grain heartwood costs more and is the difference between 15 and 30 years
  • Roof complexity, because wood demands hand-fitting at every hip, valley and dormer
  • Ventilation detailing, since strapping and mesh add material and labour that flat installs skip
  • Fastener choice — stainless steel costs more than galvanized and outlasts the wood
  • Deck repairs found under the old roof
  • Whether it's full replacement or sectional restoration of an existing cedar roof

Every home is different, so we don’t publish flat prices — the quote is free and based on your actual job.

Common questions

How long does a cedar roof last in Ontario?
A properly built cedar shake roof on good-grade material, installed so it can breathe, runs 25 to 35 years here. A cheap flat-grain roof nailed tight to the deck might see 12. The spread is wider than any other roofing material, and almost all of it comes down to cedar grade and ventilation rather than luck.
Do cedar roofs need maintenance?
Some, yes — that's the honest cost of the look. Keep it clear of debris and overhanging branches, since trapped leaves hold moisture and grow moss. A gentle cleaning and inspection every few years, and prompt replacement of split or cupped shakes, keeps small issues small. Skip a decade of care and the repair bill shows it.
Can my existing cedar roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Often. Cedar fails locally before it fails globally — a south slope goes bald, a valley rusts out, ridge caps split — while most of the field is still doing its job. Cedar shake replacement in sections, plus new flashings, can buy a sound roof another five to ten years. We'll tell you when you've crossed into replacement territory; widespread rot and thin, papery shakes are the sign.
Should I stain or treat my cedar roof?
You don't have to. Untreated cedar weathers to grey and keeps working — much of its rot resistance is natural. Treatments can slow moss and UV wear, but they must be breathable and reapplied on a schedule, or they do more harm than good by sealing moisture in. If you like the silvered look, benign neglect plus regular cleaning is a legitimate plan.
Is cedar allowed under fire codes in the GTA?
For most detached homes, yes — Ontario doesn't broadly ban wood roofs, and pressure-treated fire-rated shakes are available where a rating is required or wanted. Some subdivisions have their own restrictions through developer covenants, so it's worth checking yours. If fire rating is a concern, synthetic shake products carry Class A ratings and we can quote both.

Ready to sort out your cedar shake & shingle roofing?

Tell us what your roof needs — one small repair or a complete replacement — and get a free quote.

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