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Cedar shake gives a roof a natural, textured look that asphalt and synthetic materials can't quite replicate, and it's the material most homeowners choose when tradition and appearance matter as much as protection.
Cedar shake is a different kind of investment than asphalt or synthetic roofing. It's a natural wood product, so it needs more upkeep, and Calgary's freeze-thaw cycles and dry winters put real demands on how well it's installed and maintained. Done right, though, it gives a home a look that other materials are built to imitate, not replace.
Epic Roofing & Exteriors installs cedar shingles and cedar shakes. We'll walk you through what ongoing maintenance actually looks like before you commit, since cedar shake is one material where skipping upkeep catches up with you faster than it does with asphalt or synthetic options.
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You want the natural, textured look of real wood, not a material designed to imitate it
You're prepared for more regular maintenance than asphalt or synthetic roofing requires
Your home's architectural style suits a traditional wood shake look
You're interested in sustainably sourced building materials
You're planning to stay in the home long enough to justify the higher upfront cost
You want a roofing contractor who understands wood-specific issues like splitting, cupping, and moisture damage, not just shingles
If low maintenance is a priority, synthetic roofing can give you a similar wood-shake look with less upkeep. We'll walk you through that trade-off honestly during your assessment.
Up close, real cedar shake has a texture and grain variation synthetic materials get close to but don't fully replicate. From the street, the difference is much harder to notice.
Cedar shake, by a meaningful margin. It's a natural wood product that needs regular maintenance and inspections to repair splitting, cupping, and moisture damage. Synthetic shake is built to handle Calgary's weather with minimal upkeep.
Both are premium materials compared to asphalt shingles, but a cedar roof will cost more. The right choice usually comes down to whether real wood texture or lower maintenance matters more to you.
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The most common issues we catch early are splitting, cupping, and localized moisture damage. Caught early, these are straightforward repairs. Ignored, they spread. That's why our cedar shake inspections focus on finding small problems before they become expensive ones, so your roof keeps performing the way it was built to.
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Cedar shake is one of the most durable roofing materials available, and it earns that reputation through proper care. With regular inspections and minor upkeep, a well-installed cedar shake roof can last decades in Calgary's climate.
Cedar shake can take on damage differently than asphalt or synthetic materials after a hailstorm, sometimes cracking or splitting rather than showing the bruising you'd see on shingles. If your cedar shake roof has been through a recent storm, it's worth having it inspected even if the damage isn't obvious. We document what we find with photos and can work directly with your insurance adjuster if you decide to file a claim.
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Pricing depends on the size and complexity of your roof. A free assessment gets you a detailed, written estimate. However, a typical cedar roof is close to 4 times the cost of an asphalt roof.
Cedar shake's lifespan depends on the thickness of the material used (Medium shakes vs Heavy shakes) and relies heavily on how well it's maintained and on Calgary's freeze-thaw conditions. Regular maintenance extends it meaningfully compared to a roof that's left unchecked.
Splitting typically comes from age, Alberta’s low relative humidity, and prolonged weather exposure. Cupping happens when shakes absorb and release moisture unevenly, which is common through Calgary's freeze-thaw cycles. Both are things we look for during a maintenance inspection.
It can be, with the right installation and consistent maintenance. Calgary's freeze-thaw cycles and dry winters are harder on wood shake than on asphalt or synthetic materials, so cedar shake needs more attention to perform well here long term.
Synthetic shake is built to mimic cedar's look with significantly less maintenance. Cedar shake offers the texture and grain of real wood, sourced from sustainable forests, but requires more ongoing care to perform well over time.
If the damage is from hail, wind, or another covered event, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. We can document the damage and work with your adjuster if you decide to file a claim.
Talk with the Epic team to schedule a site visit. We’ll review your home in person and provide a formal quote based on your home’s actual needs.
Epic Roofing & Exteriors - Residential & Commercial Services