Onward
A cedar shake roof gives a home a warm, rustic look that no asphalt shingle can copy — but it comes with a price tag, and a maintenance schedule, that most quotes gloss over. This guide gives you the real 2026 numbers: what cedar shake costs by grade and home size, the fire-treatment and upkeep bills that come with wood, and how to tell whether the look is worth it for your house.
How much does a cedar shake roof cost in 2026?
A cedar shake roof costs $15,000 to $30,000 installed in 2026 for an average home, or about $8 to $15 per square foot including a full tear-off. Per roofing square — 100 square feet of roof surface — that’s $800 to $1,500. The biggest swings come from grade, fire treatment, and the size and slope of your roof.
Cedar sits well above asphalt and roughly in line with mid-grade metal. You’re paying for a natural product, a slower install, and a crew that knows how to lay wood correctly. Get any of those wrong and the roof won’t last.
Key takeaway: Budget around $20,000 for an average fire-treated cedar shake roof, but get your real number priced by roof area, grade, and treatment — not by your home’s floor size. A free Onward estimate gives you written quotes from vetted local pros in about 60 seconds.
Cedar shake roof cost by grade
Cedar shakes are graded by thickness and quality, and the grade you pick moves your bill more than almost anything else. Heavier, hand-split shakes cost more, last longer, and look more dramatic. Here are the typical 2026 installed ranges.
| Grade / type | What it is | Cost per sq ft (installed) | Typical total (2,000 sq ft roof) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium hand-split shake | Standard thickness, rustic split face | $8.00–$11.00 | $16,000–$22,000 |
| Heavy hand-split shake | Thicker, deeper shadow lines, longer life | $10.00–$13.50 | $20,000–$27,000 |
| Premium / “royal” grade | Top-grade, longest-lasting, most uniform | $12.00–$15.00 | $24,000–$30,000 |
| Tapersawn shake | Sawn back, split face — between shake & shingle | $8.50–$12.00 | $17,000–$24,000 |
Fire treatment is a separate line item on top of these. A Class A fire-treated shake adds roughly $0.75–$2.00 per square foot, which can mean $1,500–$4,000 more on an average roof. In many wildfire-prone areas it isn’t optional — see the fire-code section below.
Shakes vs. shingles: which are you buying?
The words get used loosely, so be sure you’re pricing the right product. Shakes are split, so they’re thicker, rougher, and more textured — they throw deep shadow lines and read as rugged and rustic. Shingles are sawn on both faces, so they’re thinner, smoother, and lay flatter for a cleaner, more uniform look.
Shakes cost more than shingles because they use more wood and take longer to lay. If you like the cedar look but want a lower price and a tidier finish, compare the wood shingle roof cost guide before you decide.
Cedar shake roof cost by home size
Bigger roofs cost more, and cedar’s per-square-foot premium magnifies the difference. The table below uses a mid-to-heavy grade shake with fire treatment and a moderate pitch. Remember that your roof is almost always larger than your floor plan once pitch and overhangs are counted.
| Home floor size | Approx. roof area | Cedar shake cost (installed) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,650–2,000 sq ft | $14,000–$28,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,200–2,800 sq ft | $18,000–$38,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,750–3,400 sq ft | $22,000–$48,000 |
These ranges run higher than asphalt on the same homes because cedar costs more per square foot and is slower to install. Want the full per-square math for your exact roof? Our cost per square guide shows how to convert your roof’s area into a real quote, and the roof replacement cost guide compares cedar against every other material.
Why roof area beats floor area
A single-story home with a steep pitch can have far more roof than a two-story home with a shallow one. Pitch multiplies surface area, and steeper cedar roofs also cost more per square because the work is slower and riskier. A good roofer measures your actual roof — from satellite imagery or in person — rather than quoting off your home’s listed square footage. A firm price over the phone, with no measurement, is a red flag.
What drives your cedar shake price
Two homes on the same street can get very different cedar quotes. Here’s what moves your number.
- Shake grade. Medium, heavy, and premium grades can differ by $4–$7 per square foot. Heavier shakes cost more but last longer and look more dramatic.
- Fire treatment. Class A fire-rated shakes add $0.75–$2.00 per sq ft. In many regions this is required by code or your insurer, not optional.
- Tear-off and disposal. Stripping the old roof and hauling it away adds $1,000–$3,500. Cedar always wants a clean tear-off so the new wood can breathe.
- Decking and underlayment. Cedar often needs spaced sheathing or battens for airflow underneath, plus quality underlayment — more material and labor than a standard asphalt deck.
- Roof pitch and stories. Steep, tall roofs are slower and riskier, adding 10–25% to labor.
- Roofline complexity. Valleys, hips, dormers, and chimneys mean more hand-cutting and flashing on a wood roof, which is detailed work.
- Where you live. Cedar costs more in regions far from the Pacific Northwest mills, and labor rates vary widely by market.
Cedar shake vs. asphalt: the real cost gap
It helps to see cedar next to the material it usually replaces. Here’s how a cedar shake roof compares to architectural asphalt on the same 2,000 sq ft roof.
| Architectural asphalt | Cedar shake | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft (installed) | $5.50–$9.50 | $8.00–$15.00 |
| Typical total (2,000 sq ft roof) | $11,000–$19,000 | $16,000–$30,000 |
| Lifespan | 25–30 yrs | 25–40 yrs |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Clean & seal every 3–5 yrs |
| Look | Clean, modern | Natural, rustic, dimensional |
| Fire rating | Class A standard | Class A only if treated |
Cedar costs more up front and more to maintain, but it delivers a look asphalt can’t match and a slightly longer life when cared for. If you want the cedar appearance without the upkeep or fire concerns, composite (synthetic) shakes run a similar $8–$15 per sq ft and need almost no maintenance. Compare them head-to-head in our cedar shake vs. composite breakdown.
The hidden costs of a wood roof
Cedar’s sticker price isn’t the whole story. Before you commit, budget for the things that come with owning a wood roof.
- Maintenance every 3–5 years. Cleaning, treating, and re-sealing runs $300–$1,200 per service. Skip it and you can cut the roof’s life in half.
- Fire code and treatment. Wildfire-prone areas often require Class A fire-treated shakes by law. Always confirm your local code before choosing cedar.
- Insurance. Some insurers charge more for wood roofs, and a few won’t cover untreated cedar at all. Check with your carrier first — a policy surprise can erase your savings.
- Lifespan reality. A well-kept cedar roof lasts 25–40 years; a neglected one fails in 15–20. The maintenance schedule is the difference.
- Moss and rot in damp climates. Shaded, humid roofs need more frequent cleaning. Cedar performs best in dry, sunny, well-ventilated settings.
Factor these in and cedar can still be worth it — but you’ll go in with eyes open instead of getting surprised three years down the road.
Why homeowners price cedar shake through Onward
Onward isn’t a roofing company — we’re the layer of trust on top of the local ones. When you tell us about your roof, we match you with a few licensed, insured, background-checked pros in your area who compete for your job with free, written quotes. You compare the numbers, read real reviews we re-verify yearly, and choose. Your information is never sold to a wall of random callers.
That matters on cedar specifically, because a wood roof only lasts if it’s installed by someone who knows the material. A crew that’s great with asphalt can ruin a cedar roof by skipping the airflow details or nailing it wrong. Three vetted quotes side by side let you compare not just price, but who actually has cedar experience. See exactly how we verify every roofer and how we calculate our cost ranges.
Your next step
A range is a starting point — your real price depends on grade, fire treatment, roof size, slope, and condition. The fastest way to a real number is a few written quotes from pros who’ve actually measured your roof.
- In the next 60 seconds: Get a free Onward estimate and we’ll match you with vetted local roofers.
- Before you sign: Make sure your quote spells out the shake grade, whether it’s fire-treated, the tear-off scope, and the underlayment — all in writing.
- Do your homework: Read the full cedar shake material guide and check your local fire code and insurance coverage before choosing wood.
The homeowners who pay a fair price for cedar aren’t the ones who haggle hardest. They’re the ones who compare a few honest quotes from pros who’ve actually laid a cedar roof. That’s the whole reason Onward exists. Browse every option in our full cost hub when you’re ready to compare.
