Cedar shake and shingle roofs are loved for their traditional beauty, but constant exposure to the elements definitely takes its toll on unprotected wood. Does your aging cedar roof need to be replaced? That depends, says Brian Pott of The Cedar Roof Company, one of the only roofing companies in Malvern, PA to offer repair and replacement of cedar shake and shingle roofs. While certainly there are structural problems that might warrant the replacement of a cedar roof, more commonly, aesthetic considerations are the motivation behind a homeowner’s desire to have his wooden roof replaced.
Replacement Considerations
According to Pott, cedar roofs are very good at doing what they’re supposed to do – keeping moisture out of the home. “Wood roofs do a very good job of taking abuse and resisting leaks,” Pott says. “It’s amazing how much they can withstand before a structural problem occurs.” Now and then, however, structural problems do arise. Fortunately, repair is almost always an option when there is a leak in a wood roof and, unless major structural problems exist, replacement is probably not necessary.
More often, Pott says, homeowners choose to have their cedar roofs replaced for cosmetic reasons. “We find that the most common reason people choose to replace wood roofs is not because they’re full of leaks,” Pott says, “but because the homeowners have simply fallen out of love with them aesthetically.” As a cedar roof ages, he explains, the effects of daily sunlight and water begin to take their toll on the wood’s appearance. Cracking, curling and splitting can occur, and the wood takes on a silver/gray color.
An Alternative to Replacement
If you’re concerned about the look of your cedar roof but it is still structurally sound, it may be possible to clean and restore it rather than replace it. The first step in this process, Pott says, is to apply a wood restorer to counteract the weathering process. The wood restorer removes dirt and fungus, and eliminates discoloration.
Next, the roof is powerwashed to remove mildew, mold and dead wood fibers. This powerwashing brings the wood on the roof back to a “new” appearance and allows the wood to effectively absorb a preservative product. The preservative, Pott says, will help to maintain the roof’s appearance while extending its life substantially.
Protecting Your New Roof
“Of course, hindsight is 20/20,” Pott says, “but most people who end up replacing their cedar roofs could have avoided the replacement if they’d chosen preservation early in the life of the roof.” Using a preservative on a new roof, he says, can dramatically extend its life and allow it to weather without showing signs of age.
In order for the preservative to be absorbed properly, Pott says, the roof should be allowed to weather for 10 to 12 months before the preservative is applied. “When a cedar roof is properly preserved,” he says, “it can still be looking brand new after 15 years. The best way to keep your wood roof looking beautiful and to avoid replacement costs is to preserve it when it’s new.”