CostGuideHQ

Cedar Shake Roof Cost: $8,250–$52,500 (Average $21,000) in 2026

Author: CostGuideHQ Editorial·✓ Fact-checked·Updated July 2026·7 min read·5 sources·US national averages, USD
Quick answerQuick answer: A cedar shake roof costs $8,250 to $52,500 installed, averaging around $21,000 for a typical home, or $6 to $15 per sq ft. Wood grade and roof size drive most of the spread. Synthetic cedar shake runs less and needs less upkeep than real wood.
  • A cedar shake roof typically costs $11,000 to $30,000 for a 1,500-2,000 sq ft home, with a national average around $21,000 (HomeAdvisor, Angi).
  • Wood grade drives price per square foot: common grade runs $6-$8, select grade $7-$11, and straight-grain (premium) $8-$15 (Angi).
  • Labor makes up 50% to 60% of the total bill, roughly $10,500 to $12,600 on an average-sized roof, because each shake is hand-nailed (Angi, HomeAdvisor).
  • Synthetic/composite cedar shake costs less and lasts as long or longer than real wood, running $12-$20 per sq ft installed versus $25-$30 for real cedar (HomeGuide).

How much does cedar shake roof cost?

National average
$21,000
total project
Typical range
$8,250–$52,500
Most projects
Whole project
$11,000–$30,000
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Cost by material / type

TypeLowHigh
cedar shingle — machine-cut (per sq ft installed)$5$9
cedar shake — common grade (per sq ft installed)$6$8
cedar shake — select grade (per sq ft installed)$7$11
cedar shake — straight-grain/premium (per sq ft installed)$8$15
synthetic/composite cedar shake (per sq ft installed)$12$20
Estimate your cost
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Rough estimate only — get local quotes for exact pricing.

What affects the cost?

  • Wood grade — common grade runs $6-$8 per sq ft installed, select grade $7-$11, and straight-grain (premium) $8-$15, with straight-grain also lasting up to 60 years versus 20-30 years for common grade (Angi, HomeAdvisor)
  • Shakes vs. shingles — machine-cut cedar shingles cost $4.50-$9 per sq ft installed versus $5.50-$13.50 for hand-split, thicker cedar shakes (Fixr, HomeAdvisor)
  • Real vs. synthetic cedar — composite/synthetic shake roofing costs $12-$20 per sq ft installed versus $25-$30 for real cedar shake on the same pricing basis, trading some authenticity for lower maintenance and better fire resistance (HomeGuide)
  • Roof size — cost scales with square footage; a 1,500 sq ft roof runs $8,250-$20,250 versus $16,500-$40,500 for a 3,000 sq ft roof (This Old House)
  • Labor — cedar shake installation is labor-intensive hand-nailing work that eats up 50%-60% of the total bill, or roughly $10,500-$12,600 on an average-sized roof (Angi, HomeAdvisor)
  • Old roof tear-off and disposal — typically $1-$5 per sq ft, or $1,000-$5,000 total depending on roof size and material weight (HomeGuide, Angi, This Old House)
  • Fire-retardant treatment — required by code in many wildfire-prone areas since untreated cedar is a fire hazard; Class A fire-rated and other finishing treatments run $200-$1,000 (This Old House, Angi)
  • Underlayment, flashing, and permits — underlayment replacement averages $3,300, flashing runs $200-$600, and permits cost $100-$1,700 depending on jurisdiction (Angi, This Old House)

How much does a cedar shake roof cost?

A cedar shake roof runs $8,250 to $52,500 installed, with a national average around $21,000 (HomeAdvisor, Angi). That’s a wide spread because roof size and wood grade move the price a lot. For a typical 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft home, most homeowners land between $11,000 and $30,000 — Fixr puts a 1,500 sq ft roof at $11,000-$17,500 (average $14,250), and This Old House’s size table shows $11,000-$27,000 (average $19,000) for 2,000 sq ft, both tracking closely with HomeAdvisor and Angi. Per square foot, installed cedar shake costs $6 to $15 depending on grade (Angi), which lines up with Fixr’s and HomeAdvisor’s $5.50-$13.50 per sq ft figure. HomeGuide reports notably higher numbers — $25 to $30 per sq ft for real cedar — which likely reflects measuring actual sloped roof surface rather than home footprint, so treat that figure as an outlier rather than the norm.

Cedar shakes vs. cedar shingles: what’s the price difference?

Shingles cost less than shakes because they’re machine-cut rather than hand-worked. Cedar shingles are cut to precise, uniform dimensions and cost $4.50 to $9 per sq ft installed. Cedar shakes are hand-split or taper-sawn, giving them a thicker, more rustic, irregular texture, and cost more as a result — $5.50 to $13.50 per sq ft installed (Fixr, HomeAdvisor). Within shakes, hand-split pieces run $3.50-$6.50 per sq ft in materials alone, while taper-sawn shakes, sawn smooth on both sides, cost $4.50-$8.50 per sq ft in materials (Fixr, This Old House). If a uniform, tailored look matters more than rustic texture, shingles are the cheaper path to a genuine cedar roof; if you want the deeper shadow lines and hand-worked character, budget for shakes.

What determines cedar shake grade pricing — and does it need fire treatment?

Wood grade is one of the biggest swing factors in a cedar shake quote. Common grade, the most affordable, runs $6 to $8 per sq ft installed but lasts only 20 to 30 years. Select grade blends 80% straight grain with 20% common-grade material, costs $7 to $11 per sq ft, and lasts 30 to 50 years. Straight-grain, the premium tier made entirely from clear, vertical-grain wood, costs $8 to $15 per sq ft but can last up to 60 years (Angi, HomeAdvisor) — so the higher grade partly pays for itself in fewer replacement cycles. Maintenance matters just as much as grade: Greg Blake, owner of Cedar Restoration Inc. in Birmingham, Michigan, says, “I’ve been on cedar roofs that were 70 years old but looked like they were installed yesterday” (This Old House). Fire treatment is a separate, often mandatory line item: untreated cedar is a genuine fire hazard, and building codes in many wildfire-prone regions require Class A fire-retardant treatment. This Old House and Angi both cite $200 to $1,000 for fire-retardant and other finishing treatments, usually quoted on top of the base installed price.

Is synthetic cedar shake worth it instead of real wood?

For many homeowners, yes — synthetic or composite cedar shake costs meaningfully less than real wood and needs less upkeep. HomeGuide reports synthetic shake installed at $12 to $20 per sq ft versus $25 to $30 for real cedar on the same pricing basis, and synthetic shake can last 40 to 60 years compared to 30 to 50 years for real cedar. Fixr’s materials-only comparison shows a similar gap: synthetic material runs $3.50-$6 per sq ft versus $3.50-$8.50 for real cedar. Synthetic also sidesteps two of real cedar’s biggest downsides — it’s more fire-resistant out of the box, and it doesn’t need the periodic sealing, treating, or fungicide applications that keep real wood from rotting or growing moss. The tradeoff is authenticity: synthetic shake mimics the look of split wood but doesn’t have the natural color variation of the real thing. If low maintenance and fire resistance matter more than genuine wood grain, synthetic is the better value; if the real-cedar look and feel is the point, real wood remains the standard, and it’s worth comparing against other long-lifespan options like a slate roof or metal roof before deciding.

How can you lower the cost of a cedar shake roof?

  • Choose common or select grade instead of straight-grain if budget matters more than maximum lifespan — common grade runs $6-$8 per sq ft versus $8-$15 for straight-grain (Angi).
  • Consider synthetic cedar shake. It costs $12-$20 per sq ft installed versus $25-$30 for real cedar and needs less ongoing maintenance (HomeGuide).
  • Ask whether fire-retardant treatment and permits are already included in your quote — these commonly run $200-$1,000 and $100-$1,700 respectively as separate line items (Angi, This Old House).
  • Confirm whether tear-off is bundled into the price. Old roof removal adds $1-$5 per sq ft separately in some bids (HomeGuide, This Old House).
  • Get multiple quotes from cedar-experienced roofers, since labor makes up 50%-60% of the total cost and hand-nailing skill varies significantly between contractors (Angi, HomeAdvisor).

Prices vary by region, roof size, and wood grade, so treat the figures above as a planning budget. If cedar’s maintenance and fire-code requirements give you pause, it’s worth comparing costs against a standard asphalt shingle roof, a tile roof, or a general roof replacement before committing to a final material.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a cedar shake roof cost?
Most homeowners pay $11,000 to $30,000 for a 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft roof, with a national average around $21,000 (HomeAdvisor, Angi). Smaller or lower-grade roofs can run as low as $8,250, and larger or premium-grade jobs can top $52,500 (Fixr, HomeAdvisor).
How much is a cedar shake roof per square foot?
Installed cedar shake runs $6 to $15 per sq ft depending on grade (Angi), or $5.50 to $13.50 per sq ft according to Fixr and HomeAdvisor. Machine-cut cedar shingles cost less, at $4.50 to $9 per sq ft installed (Fixr, HomeAdvisor).
What's the difference between cedar shake grades?
Common grade costs $6-$8 per sq ft and lasts 20-30 years, select grade costs $7-$11 and lasts 30-50 years, and straight-grain (premium) costs $8-$15 and can last up to 60 years (Angi, HomeAdvisor).
Are cedar shakes and cedar shingles the same thing?
No. Shingles are machine-cut for a smooth, uniform look and cost $4.50-$9 per sq ft installed. Shakes are hand-split or taper-sawn for a thicker, more rustic texture and cost $5.50-$13.50 per sq ft installed (Fixr, HomeAdvisor).
Is synthetic cedar shake cheaper than real wood?
Yes. Synthetic or composite cedar shake costs $12-$20 per sq ft installed versus $25-$30 for real cedar on the same pricing basis, and it can last 40-60 years compared to 30-50 years for real wood, with better fire resistance and less maintenance (HomeGuide).
Does a cedar shake roof need fire-retardant treatment?
Building codes in many wildfire-prone areas require fire-retardant treatment for cedar shakes because untreated wood is a fire hazard. Class A fire-rated and other finishing treatments typically cost $200 to $1,000 (This Old House, Angi).
How long does a cedar shake roof last, and what does maintenance cost?
A well-maintained straight-grain cedar shake roof can last up to 50 to 60 years (This Old House, HomeAdvisor), though it needs periodic upkeep — regular cleaning runs about 40 cents per sq ft, and periodic wood treatments cost $500 to $1,500 (This Old House, HomeGuide).
Why do cedar shake roof cost estimates vary so much between sources?
HomeAdvisor, Angi, Fixr, and This Old House converge on roughly $5.50-$15 per sq ft installed and $11,000-$30,000 for a typical 1,500-2,000 sq ft home. HomeGuide reports notably higher figures ($25-$30 per sq ft for real cedar), which likely reflects a different measurement basis, such as actual sloped roof area rather than home footprint.

Sources

Figures synthesized and cross-checked across these sources (retrieved 2026-07-28):

  • HomeAdvisor — Cedar shake roofing costs between $15,800 and $30,000, with the average project running around $21,000. Prices can fall as low as $9,001 or climb up to $52,500. Grades: common grade costs up to 30% less and lasts 20-30 years; select grade is 80% straight grain/20% common and lasts 30-50 years; straight-grain is 100% straight grain and can last up to 60 years. Cedar shakes cost $600-$1,500 per square (100 sq ft) or around $240 per bundle; other wood shakes cost about $525 per square or $175 per bundle; composite shakes cost about $365 per square or $120 per bundle. Labor accounts for 50% to 60% of the total, or $10,500-$12,600 for an average-sized roof. Cedar shingles cost $4.50-$9 per sq ft versus cedar shakes at $5.50-$13.50 per sq ft, including installation. Repair cost averages around $750.
  • Angi — Cedar shake roof installation costs $15,800 to $30,000, with an average of $21,000, or $6 to $15 per square foot for your project. Prices can fall as low as $9,000 or climb up to $52,500. Roof size pricing: 1,500 sq ft $9,000-$22,500; 2,000 sq ft $12,000-$30,000; 2,500 sq ft $15,000-$37,500; 3,000 sq ft $18,000-$45,000; 3,500 sq ft $21,000-$52,500. Labor is 50%-60% of cost, or $10,500-$12,600 for the average-sized roof. Per-sq-ft grade pricing: common $6-$8, select $7-$11, straight-grain $8-$15. Underlayment replacement averages $3,300. Old roof removal costs $1,000-$5,000. Roof flashing costs $200-$600. Drip edge replacement costs $100-$500. Weatherproofing sealant costs $2-$5 per sq ft; fireproofing or algaecide treatments cost $200-$1,000 each. Permits cost $100-$500. State averages include California $30,500, Florida $21,600, and Texas $19,400.
  • Fixr — The national average cost to install a cedar shake roof ranges from $11,000 to $17,500, with most people paying $14,250 for a 1,500 sq.ft. cedar shake roof fully installed. At the low end, a 1,500 sq.ft. low-grade cedar roof shakes installation costs $8,250; at the high end, a premium tapersawn cedar shake roof with chimney work can cost up to $30,500. Cost per sq ft installed: cedar shingle $4.50-$9, cedar shake $5.50-$13.50. Materials-only cost per sq ft: synthetic $3.50-$6, cedar $3.50-$8.50, other wood $5-$9. By length (materials only): 16 inches $3.50-$5.50, 18 inches $4.50-$6.50, 24 inches $5.50-$8.50. Hand split shakes cost $3.50-$6.50 per sq ft, tapersawn $4.50-$8.50 (materials only). Cedar shake materials cost $350-$850 per square (100 sq ft). Properly installed cedar shake roofs can last up to 50 years.
  • HomeGuide — A cedar shake roof costs $25 to $30 per square foot installed for a real wood shake roof, while synthetic cedar shake roofing costs $12 to $20 per square foot installed. By roof size, average total cost (synthetic / real cedar): 1,000 sq ft $12,000-$20,000 / $25,000-$30,000; 2,000 sq ft $24,000-$40,000 / $50,000-$60,000; 3,000 sq ft $36,000-$60,000 / $75,000-$90,000. Grade per sq ft installed: common grade $20-$25, select-grade $25-$30, 100% straight grain $30-$35. Real cedar shake roofs last 30 to 50 years with proper maintenance, while synthetic versions can last 40 to 60 years. Professional installation accounts for 40% to 60% of the total project cost. Roof decking replacement costs $2-$5 per sq ft. Underlayment costs $0.75-$4.00 per sq ft. Flashing costs $10-$30 per linear foot. Sealing/weatherproofing treatments add $500-$2,000. Old roof removal adds $1-$5 per sq ft. Permits cost $150-$500. An annual roof inspection costs $100-$400; periodic wood treatments cost $500-$1,500; roof cleaning costs $250-$600.
  • This Old House — A new 3,000-square-foot cedar shake roof costs between $18,000 and $25,000. By roof size: 1,500 sq ft $8,250-$20,250 (average $14,250); 2,000 sq ft $11,000-$27,000 (average $19,000); 2,500 sq ft $13,750-$33,750 (average $23,750); 3,000 sq ft $16,500-$40,500 (average $28,500). Overall cost is $5.50-$13.50 per square foot. Materials cost about $240 per bundle or $725 per square. Hand-split shakes cost $3.50-$6.50 per sq ft; taper-sawn costs $4.50-$8.50. Labor costs $60 per hour or $2-$5 per sq ft. Common-grade shakes cost 30% less than other grades; select-grade is 20% common/80% straight grain; straight-grain costs 30%-50% more than lower-grade materials. Old roof removal costs $1-$5 per sq ft or $1,000-$1,500. Permits cost $400-$1,700. Finishing treatments, including fire retardant, cost $200-$1,000. Regular roof cleaning costs 40 cents per square foot. A 100% straight-grain cedar shake roof can last up to 50 years with regular maintenance and repairs.

Four of five sources converge tightly on total-project cost. HomeAdvisor and Angi (same parent company, near-identical figures) report a $15,800-$30,000 typical range with a $21,000 average and a $9,000-$9,001 to $52,500 full spread. Fixr reports $11,000-$17,500 (average $14,250) for a roughly 1,500 sq ft roof, with an $8,250 low end and $30,500 high end. This Old House's size-based table lands at $11,000-$27,000 (average $19,000) for 2,000 sq ft and $8,250-$20,250 for 1,500 sq ft, matching Fixr almost exactly. national_average_usd ($21,000) uses HomeAdvisor's and Angi's stated national average, which sits close to This Old House's $19,000 average for a similarly sized roof. range_low_usd ($8,250) is Fixr's stated floor for a small, low-grade roof; range_high_usd ($52,500) is HomeAdvisor's and Angi's stated ceiling for a large, premium-grade roof. project_low_usd/project_high_usd ($11,000-$30,000) reflects the consensus band for a typical 1,500-2,000 sq ft home across the four agreeing sources. HomeGuide is the clear outlier: its per-sq-ft figures ($25-$30 real cedar, $12-$20 synthetic) run roughly two to three times higher than the other four sources' $5.50-$15 per sq ft range, which inflates its whole-home total to $50,000-$60,000 for a 2,000 sq ft roof -- likely reflecting a different measurement basis (actual sloped roof surface area, which runs 10%-30% larger than a home's footprint, and possibly a fuller tear-off-and-finish scope) rather than a directly comparable base install. by_type figures use the closely-aligned Fixr/Angi/HomeAdvisor per-sq-ft-installed rates for shingles and shake grades; the synthetic row uses HomeGuide's internally self-consistent real-vs-synthetic comparison, so treat it as directionally useful (synthetic costs meaningfully less than real cedar) rather than perfectly comparable in absolute terms to the other rows. Figures generally include material and standard installation labor; old-roof removal, underlayment, fire-retardant treatment, and permits are commonly quoted as separate line items on top of the base installed price.