Skip to content

Prolong the Life of Your Roof! $399 Tune-Up Special

Learn More & Get Started
MHIC# 73276

Siding

Cedar Shakes and Shingles

A natural, textured exterior that weathers beautifully — and stands up to extreme weather while it does.

Cedar Shakes vs. Cedar Shingles

Many homeowners look for ways to add a natural look to their home. Cedar shakes and shingles offer two things at once: real protection against extreme weather, and a bold, characterful appearance that lifts the whole street.

The two are not the same, and knowing how they differ helps you make the right decision.

Cedar shakes installed on a home exterior

Cedar Shakes

Shakes are thick pieces of cedar with crests and troughs across their width. Traditionally hand-split from logs, which is where the rustic look comes from; today machines do the splitting under skilled supervision.

  • Gouges and imperfections that add real aesthetic character
  • A roof life of around 30 years
  • Thicker and more rugged than shingles — a bolder choice
  • Costlier, largely because of how they are made
Hand-split cedar shakes with a rugged texture

Cedar Shingles

  • Sawn rather than split, so the faces are smooth and uniform
  • A tailored, even appearance that suits more formal architecture
  • Thinner than shakes, and generally the more economical option
  • Takes stain and treatment evenly
Uniform sawn cedar shingles on a wall

Interested in Cedar?

We’ll show you shakes and shingles side by side and talk through maintenance honestly.

Contact Us

Tell us about your project and we’ll get back to you with a free, no-pressure estimate.

Free Instant Roof Estimate
Call Now Free Estimate