How Much Does Cedar Shake Roofing Cost for a Whole House?
Cedar shake roofing is a natural wood roofing system known for its appearance and traditional character. Cedar roofs are commonly found on older homes and high-end properties where aesthetics are a priority. While cedar roofing offers a distinctive look, it comes with higher upfront cost and ongoing maintenance compared to asphalt or metal roofing. Below is a breakdown of what it costs to install cedar shake roofing on a typical home using the same assumptions and measurement standards used throughout the roofing series.
What this article covers
This article focuses on:
Cedar shake and cedar shingle roofing
A 1,000 square foot home footprint
A single-story home
A moderate roof pitch
Mid-grade cedar roofing materials
Professional installation
It does not include fire-retardant specialty treatments, steep roof designs, or structural roof modifications.
How roofing square footage is measured
Roofing costs are based on roof surface area, not interior living space.
To keep cost examples clear and consistent, this article uses the following assumptions:
A 1,000 square foot home footprint, measured from the exterior walls
A single-story home
A moderate roof pitch
Minimal roof complexity (no dormers or steep slopes)
A 1,000 square foot home footprint refers to the ground-level size of the house, not the roof itself. Because pitched roofs have slope, the actual roofing surface area is larger than the footprint.
Under these assumptions, a typical roof will have approximately:
1,500 square feet of roofing surface
All material and labor calculations below are based on this roofing square footage.
Cedar roofing material cost
Cedar roofing materials cost more than asphalt shingles due to the natural wood material and manufacturing process.
A realistic mid-grade cedar shake or shingle cost is:
$7.50 per square foot
For 1,500 sq ft of roofing:
1,500 × $7.50 = $11,250 in material cost
Installation cost
Cedar roofing requires skilled labor and takes longer to install than asphalt shingles or basic metal roofing.
A realistic average installation cost is:
$9.50 per square foot
For 1,500 sq ft of roofing:
1,500 × $9.50 = $14,250 in installation labor
Total upfront cost for a whole house
Combining material and installation:
Material: $11,250
Installation: $14,250
Total upfront cost: $25,500
This represents a typical cost to install cedar roofing on a modest-sized home using mid-grade materials and professional installation.
Lifespan and maintenance considerations
Cedar roofing requires more maintenance than most manufactured roofing materials.
Typical lifespan: 20–30 years
Requires periodic cleaning and treatment
Susceptible to moisture, mold, and insect damage without maintenance
Proper upkeep is essential to reach the upper end of the lifespan range.
What affects cedar roofing cost
Total cost can vary based on:
Cedar grade and thickness
Shake vs shingle style
Roof pitch and layout
Tear-off of existing roofing
Regional labor rates
Homes in wet or shaded environments may require additional maintenance planning.
What this does not include
The costs above do not include:
Fire-retardant treatments
Structural roof repairs
Decking replacement
Skylights or chimney work
Permit or inspection fees
These items can increase the total project cost.
The bottom line
Installing cedar shake roofing on a typical home with approximately 1,500 square feet of roof surface usually costs around $25,500 upfront using mid-grade materials and professional installation. Cedar roofing offers a natural, traditional appearance but comes with higher maintenance requirements and shorter lifespan compared to metal or slate roofing.
For a broader overview of roofing options and how their costs compare, see Types of Roofing and What They Cost.