A wood shake roof replacement represents a significant investment, with the national average ranging from $15,800 to $45,000 for most homes. The wide price range reflects several key factors including your roof’s size and complexity, the grade of wood shakes you select, regional labor costs, and local building re

Shake roofs are great because they’re eco-friendly, they’re durable, and they’re a proven roofing material that’s been around for centuries. Even better, if you use rot-resistant wood like cedar for your roof, you can expect it to last for nearly 30 years with proper maintenance.

Wood Shake Roof Cost by Home Size

The Installation Cost for Replacing Old Roofs: Broken Down

You should expect to pay every pro you hire around $60/hour for the duration of the job. So, if you hire a three-person crew to work eight hours a day for four days, you need to budget around $6,000 in wages (that’s $60×3 people x8 hours x4 days).

Now, assuming you’re replacing your old roof with cedar shakes, you can expect to pay $12,400 for the shakes themselves (that’s $400 per square x31 squares).

Finally, remember that any underlayment, hardware, caulk, and equipment used will be added to the final cost afterward.

So in total the initial break down looks like this $12,400 shakes + $6,000 in labor + $2,000 misc = $20,400 total roof replacement cost. We understand that that’s a substantial amount of money, so here are several of our favorite ways to find the right contractor for you.

What Makes the Gap So Large?

A couple of factors can increase or decrease the price of your shake roof replacement. Factors like the material you choose and seasonal pricing will drive the cost up or down depending on the options and time of year you decide to build.

Cedar Shake Grades: Quality and Cost Comparison

The grade of cedar shakes you choose significantly impacts both upfront costs and long-term performance. Here’s what you need to know about each grade:

Wood Substitute Shakes

Finally, we have to cheapest and most resilient option yet! Human-made composite shingles are great because they’re easy to install and they require little maintenance. The only drawback? They’re not wood.

Still, composite shakes can be reasonably convincing, so they’re worth considering if you want that cottage feel without breaking the bank.

You can typically buy composite shakes for $110/bundle or $325/square.

How the Seasons Affect Your Price

A bundle of shakes will cover 33 square feet of roof, and a square will cover 100 square feet. You can see that difference in coverage reflected in the price estimate we have listed above.

However, wood is a natural product, so there’s a good chance that the availability of shakes will change depending on the season you build in. Also, be aware that as the seasons change, you may only be able to buy smaller bundles at a higher cost, which drives your expenses up even more.

We advise replacing your common roof material with shakes mid-summer for the lowest prices.

Pro Tip: Many homeowners save 10-20% by scheduling their wood shake roof installation during the off-season (late fall through early spring) when contractor demand is lower. However, weather conditions may limit installation windows in northern climates.

Regional Cost Variations Across the United States

Wood shake roof replacement costs vary significantly by region due to differences in labor rates, material transportation costs, and local building codes:

Note: These ranges reflect typical regional variations. Urban areas within each region typically cost 15-25% more than rural areas due to higher labor and permit costs.

Consider the Lifetime Cost of a Wood Shake Roof Replacement

You need to be aware of the cost of treating and preserving the wood that goes onto your roof. Treating your roof isn’t too expensive. You’ll be paying close to $200 to $600 an application, depending on the sealant you use and your roof’s size.

Still, your roof will need treatment and sealing every 2-5 years, depending on the chemicals you use. So, over the lifetime of your shake roof, you can safely add $3,000 to $4,000 onto the lifetime cost of those shakes.

In the large scheme of things, this cost isn’t very large… especially when you consider that the cost gets stretched out over nearly 30 years.

Next, the cost of preserving your wood shake roof can also increase if you hire a professional to do it. While this is the solution we recommend to everyone to guarantee healthy shingles, we realize that it’s not for everyone.

Finally, you must remove debris and repair damage to roofs with wooden shakes regularly. Always remove debris and inspect your roof before the start of your location’s rainy season.

The worst thing for wood shakes is to be constantly damp. So, clear off your roof to allow your roof to dry between storms. Cleaning your roof is also a great time to check for cracks, missing shingles, and other damage.

Damage like this is easy to repair, but it is an additional cost to be aware of.

It’s also important to note that most composite material shakes won’t require this kind of vigilance. So, while you miss out slightly on aesthetics, you gain longevity and ease of care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Shake Roof Costs

Wood Shake vs Other Roofing Materials: Cost Comparison

*Annual cost calculated by dividing total installed cost by expected lifespan. Wood shake offers competitive long-term value despite higher upfront costs.

Are You Ready to Replace Your Shake Roof?

Wood shake roofs represent an excellent long-term investment when you consider their 30-50 year lifespan, superior insulation properties, and dramatic curb appeal enhancement. While the initial cost of $15,800-$45,000 may seem substantial, the annual cost often equals or beats less expensive materials that require more frequent replacement.

Ready to get accurate pricing for your specific roof? Our network of pre-screened contractors provides detailed estimates that account for your roof size, complexity, and local market conditions.

Get a free quote now to start your wood shake roof replacement in just three easy steps.