Sheathing
The deck is repaired or sheathed solid before anything new goes on.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Livingston, NJ
A roofer in Livingston 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, so the new roof starts on solid, dry wood. Call (973) 858-1821 to reach a local roofer.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. After decades of weather, shakes lose thickness, split easily and no longer hold a nail, so new pieces have nothing solid to tie into. Replacement then protects the house instead of patching a roof with no life left.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. 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.
The deck is the biggest question in a cedar replacement. Spaced 1x boards suit cedar, but other roofing needs solid plywood or OSB, either laid over the boards or installed after they come out. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Depending on what the roofer finds, cedar shake roof replacement in Livingston, NJ can go hand in hand with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair.
Dealing with this in Livingston, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1821 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Livingston.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a cedar roof replacement
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
Plan the new roof
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.
Protect the property
Tarps and plywood cover plants, decks and walkways, because cedar tear-offs throw off heavy debris and thousands of old nails. Attic belongings under the roof are worth covering too, since dust falls through spaced boards.
Tear off to the deck
Every shake, felt interlay strip, old nail and rusted valley metal comes off, down to bare boards. Any older layers found underneath are removed at the same time.
Re-deck the roof
Rotted or split boards are replaced, and if the new roof is not cedar, plywood or OSB is laid over the spaced boards or in their place. This is the step that makes the new roof flat and secure.
Dry-in
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. Cedar gets a ventilated layer, while other roofs get standard underlayment.
Final install
New roofing is installed with fresh flashing at every wall, valley and penetration. The site is cleaned and swept with magnets before the crew leaves.
What is included
What a cedar replacement covers
Full tear-off
The old cedar roof is removed to the boards so the deck can be inspected.
New flashing
Valleys, walls, vents and skylights get new metal so no old rusted metal remains.
Underlayment
New underlayment and eave membrane protect the deck under the new roof.
Debris removal
Debris is removed daily and stray nails are collected.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Livingston, NJ
Older homes often have sawn cedar shingles rather than split shakes, and replacing them follows the same tear-off logic. Those roofs were usually laid on spaced boards, and some were later covered with a layer of asphalt shingles, so a tear-off can uncover more than one roof. Once the deck is bare, the roofer decides whether the boards can carry new shingles or need 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. Ask a Livingston roofer to compare new cedar shingles with look-alike options for your home.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
In Livingston, cedar replacement calls usually come from homes whose shakes have worn thin after many seasons. Across Livingston and nearby towns like Roseland, Short Hills, Florham Park and Caldwell, 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 Livingston, NJ or nearby towns like Roseland, Short Hills, Florham Park and Caldwell, call (973) 858-1821 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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Livingston, 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.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Livingston know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about cedar shake roof replacement
Do I need new sheathing when replacing a cedar roof?
That depends on what goes back on. 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.
Is it worth replacing cedar with cedar?
The choice depends on the look, maintenance and rules in your area. New cedar keeps the natural look and suits many older homes, but it needs regular cleaning and some care to reach its full life. Seeing samples side by side helps.
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.
Can new roofing go over old cedar shakes?
Covering cedar shakes with a new roof is not a sound approach. 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.
What are the alternatives to cedar shakes?
Several materials can replace a cedar roof. Common choices are new cedar, polymer shakes, architectural shingles and metal shake panels. Most non-cedar options need solid sheathing.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1821
Related services
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
New cedar shake roofs built with the right sheathing, felt interlay, spacing and stainless fasteners, laid to the slope and climate of the house.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Repairs for split shakes, rot at the butts, moss buildup and leaking valleys on wood roofs, so a sound cedar roof keeps shedding water.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
Replacing an aging roof with new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
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 servicesGet cedar shake roof replacement help in Livingston
Call (973) 858-1821 to talk to a roofer serving Livingston, NJ.