Is It Better to Replace My Cedar Shake Roof or Restore It?
Cedar shake roofs remain very popular with homeowners for their natural, rustic appearance, even after centuries of use. As with any other kind of roof, you can expect some wear and tear to occur over time. Eventually, you will get to the point where you will need to take action, either with investing in eco-friendly roof cleaning services in Minneapolis, MN to restore the roof or by replacing it entirely.
But how do you know which option is best for your circumstances? Here’s an overview of what you should know.
Restoring your cedar shake roof
Whenever possible, you should aim to restore your roof rather than replace it, as the cost of replacing cedar shake roofs has nearly tripled within the last five years.
If properly maintained, you can reasonably expect a cedar roof to last four or five decades before replacement truly becomes necessary. But that means you must stay on top of maintenance and repairs, which will include cleaning off debris and moss, treating and conditioning the wood, repairing worn or damaged shakes, installing metal shims and patching as needed.
The quality of the roofing materials and installation will also influence how long you can expect your roof to last, and whether you can continue to get away with just restoring and repairing. If you start to notice more frequent problems with moss, missing shingles, warping or cracking, or have leaks coming into your home, replacement may be an option, but keep in mind that damaged shakes or single leaks do not necessarily mean you need to replace the entire roof.
Replacing your cedar shake roof
Over years of service, your cedar shakes will weather and fade to a silvery gray color, which is completely natural for cedar wood. The signs you need to watch for that could indicate replacement is necessary include frequent issues with missing shakes, leaks, warping, splits and cracks. If these issues are just in one section of the roof, then you can probably get away with repairs. But if the repairs are needed in more than just one section and the roof is already on the older side, replacement may be the better option to ensure quality and uniformity.
Before you make the decision to have a roof replaced, though, you should make sure you have it inspected by a roofing professional, who will be able to give you a thorough assessment of the condition of your roof and the steps required to get it in prime condition again.
Interested in learning more about eco-friendly roof cleaning services in Minneapolis, MN and whether you should repair or replace your cedar shake roof? We encourage you to contact Diamond Roofing, Remodeling & Roof Shampoo with any questions you have about our services. We will be able to come to your home, conduct a thorough inspection and review of your roofing and its current condition and help you determine the best path forward for restoring the appearance and effectiveness of your roof so you can benefit from reliable, lasting protection for your home.