★ Cedar Roof Conversions · Okanagan
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement
Replace an aging cedar shake roof with a complete modern roofing system. West Country Roofing converts worn cedar to asphalt shingles, standing-seam metal, or dimensional metal tiles with the deck, waterproofing, flashing, and ventilation details built into the scope from the start.
A Complete Cedar Conversion
More than a surface change— a full roof-system rebuild.
Cedar shake replacement often requires significant preparation beneath the visible roofing material. Older cedar roofs may be installed over spaced strapping covered with tar paper, which means the roof usually needs to be stripped, inspected, sheathed, waterproofed, and rebuilt as a complete modern system.
Cedar Shake Tear-Off
Old cedar shakes, damaged pieces, old felt, and related roofing materials are removed so the new system does not depend on a worn-out assembly.
Complete removalStrapping Removal
Many older cedar roofs sit on spaced strapping instead of a continuous deck. That strapping usually needs to come off before a modern roof can be installed.
Prepared for a new deckHidden Condition Check
Once the cedar and strapping are removed, the roof structure can be reviewed for rot, deterioration, broken boards, poor transitions, and areas that need attention.
Inspected before coveringFull Roof Sheathing
Plywood or OSB sheathing creates the continuous, stable surface required for asphalt shingles, standing-seam metal, and metal tile systems.
Built as a proper substrateIce & Water Shield
Self-adhered waterproofing is used at eaves, valleys, penetrations, and other vulnerable areas before the finished roof is installed.
Installed where neededSynthetic Underlayment
A modern secondary water-shedding layer is installed over the new roof deck as part of the complete replacement system.
Part of the full systemNew Flashing & Edges
Cedar conversions often need new edge metal, valley metal, wall flashing, and penetration details so the new system drains correctly.
Detailed for the new roofVentilation Review
The attic and roof ventilation are reviewed so the new roof is not installed over heat, moisture, or airflow problems that shorten roof life.
Assessed with the systemOur Cedar Replacement Process
A clear sequence from tear-off to finished roof.
Every cedar conversion is assessed individually. The goal is not simply to remove cedar and install another product—it is to create the right deck, waterproofing, flashing, ventilation, and finished roof for long-term performance.
Assess the Cedar Roof
We inspect the cedar condition, roof slope, access, flashing, ventilation, penetrations, and signs of rot or hidden deterioration.
Remove the Cedar Shakes
The existing shakes, old tar paper, loose fasteners, and related roofing material are removed with property protection and debris control in place.
Remove Strapping
Where the roof was built over spaced strapping, the old battens are removed so the structure can be prepared for a continuous deck.
Inspect and Sheath the Roof
The exposed structure is reviewed and full plywood or OSB sheathing is installed to create a stable surface for the new roof system.
Install Waterproofing and Metalwork
Ice and water membrane, underlayment, valley metal, edge metal, flashing, and ventilation details are installed for the selected system.
Install the New Roof
Your selected asphalt shingle, standing-seam metal, or metal tile roof is installed and checked as one complete replacement assembly.
Cedar conversions backed by a 15-year workmanship warranty.
Cedar replacement involves more than the finished roofing material. West Country Roofing treats the deck, sheathing, metalwork, underlayment, ventilation, and installation details as part of the system, then backs the workmanship for 15 years.
What We Look For
Aging cedar can hide important roof problems.
A cedar shake roof can look rustic from the street while hiding brittle material, missing support, animal openings, rot, and outdated details below the surface. A proper conversion starts with exposing and correcting those issues before the new roof is installed.
Brittle shakes and broken pieces
Cedar can dry out, crack, fragment, curl, or break apart. Once deterioration is widespread, small repairs may not provide reliable protection.
Spaced strapping instead of solid decking
Older cedar roofs often lack full roof sheathing. Modern replacements usually require a continuous deck before shingles or metal can be installed.
Animal and impact openings
Birds, rodents, hail, branches, and wind damage can create openings through the cedar assembly and into vulnerable roof areas.
Fire exposure concerns
Dry cedar roofs can become a major concern in wildfire-prone Okanagan communities, especially when embers can lodge in gaps between shakes.
Hidden rot at transitions
Chimneys, walls, valleys, skylights, penetrations, and roof edges often reveal hidden deterioration once the cedar is removed.
Choose the Right Replacement Material
Replace cedar with the system that fits the home.
We compare replacement options based on slope, structure, fire exposure, appearance, budget, drainage, ventilation, and long-term maintenance—not a one-size-fits-all product.
Asphalt Shingles
- Cost-effective cedar replacement with a broad range of colours and profiles.
- Works well on properly sloped roofs after full sheathing is installed.
- Strong balance of curb appeal, budget, and weather protection.
- Installed with modern underlayment, flashing, edge metal, and ventilation review.
Standing-Seam Metal
- Clean modern appearance with concealed fasteners.
- Excellent durability and low maintenance when the deck and details are correct.
- Requires compatible underlayment, ventilation, transitions, and slope suitability.
- A strong option for homeowners wanting a premium long-term conversion.
Metal Tiles, Shakes & Shingles
- Dimensional metal profiles with a more traditional appearance than standing seam.
- Good fire resistance and strong curb appeal for cedar-style conversions.
- Can provide the look of tile, shake, or shingle profiles without old cedar maintenance.
- Deck condition, layout, fastening, and transitions are assessed before recommending it.
The best cedar shake replacement is the one that matches the building and is installed over a properly prepared roof deck. Material choice matters, but the sheathing, waterproofing, flashing, ventilation, and workmanship determine whether the conversion performs as intended.
Cedar Shake Replacement FAQ
Clear answers before your cedar conversion begins.
Why is cedar shake replacement more involved than a normal shingle replacement?
Many cedar shake roofs were installed over spaced strapping rather than full roof sheathing. Modern asphalt shingles, standing-seam metal, and metal tile systems usually require a continuous solid deck, so the old cedar and strapping often need to be removed before the new roof can be built properly.
Do cedar shake roofs always need new plywood or OSB?
Not always, but many older cedar roofs do. If the existing roof does not have continuous sheathing suitable for the new system, plywood or OSB is normally required to create the stable deck the replacement material needs.
Can cedar shake be replaced with asphalt shingles?
Yes. Asphalt shingles are a common cedar replacement when the roof has suitable slope and a proper solid deck. The conversion should include deck preparation, underlayment, waterproofing, flashing, ventilation review, and correct edge details.
Can cedar shake be replaced with metal roofing?
Often, yes. Standing-seam metal, metal tiles, metal shakes, and metal shingles may be good options, depending on the roof slope, deck condition, layout, transitions, ventilation, and the selected metal system.
Why are old cedar shakes a fire concern?
Dry cedar can become brittle and vulnerable to windblown embers, especially when gaps exist between shakes. Replacing an aging cedar roof with asphalt or metal can reduce that vulnerability while improving overall weather protection.
What are signs a cedar shake roof should be replaced?
Common warning signs include cracked or fragmented shakes, holes from branches or hail, animal entry points, missing or curling pieces, brittle cedar that breaks easily, widespread weathering, and recurring leaks or problem areas.
How long does a cedar shake conversion take?
Timing depends on roof size, slope, access, complexity, weather, disposal, and how much sheathing or structural correction is needed after tear-off. Cedar conversions usually take longer than a straightforward asphalt shingle replacement because there is more preparation beneath the surface.
Does West Country Roofing offer a workmanship warranty on cedar conversions?
Yes. West Country Roofing backs replacement workmanship for 15 years. Manufacturer material coverage is separate and depends on the product selected and any registration requirements.
Plan a cedar shake replacement without skipping the hidden work.
Get a project-specific assessment of your cedar roof, deck condition, sheathing needs, material options, waterproofing, ventilation, and complete replacement scope.