What Is Cedar Shake Roofing?
Cedar shake roofing is made from natural cedar and is valued for its distinctive grain, texture, and appearance. No two shakes are exactly alike, which gives a cedar roof the natural variation and character that has made it a popular choice for homes for generations.
As a natural material, however, cedar requires ongoing maintenance to preserve its appearance and performance. It may require early replacement due to rotting, warping, cracking, leaking, or diminished aesthetics. Cedar is also susceptible to moss, mold, and insect damage and often requires treatments, preservatives, and other regular maintenance, with many begining to lose their aesthetic appeal after 5 to 10 years.
What Is Enviroshake?
Enviroshake is a composite cedar shake designed to preserve the authentic look and architectural character of natural cedar without the maintenance demands and performance limitations of real wood. Its profiles are molded from natural cedar shakes to recreate the depth, grain patterns, texture, and shadow lines of traditional cedar roofing, while the engineered material is designed to maintain that appearance far more consistently over the life of the roof.
Unlike natural cedar, Enviroshake will not rot, crack, peel, or blister and is resistant to mold, mildew, and insects. It requires no preservatives, pretreatments, or routine refinishing, helping eliminate many of the ongoing maintenance costs associated with wood roofing. Enviroshake is also engineered for severe-weather performance, with third-party wind testing to 180 MPH, a Class 4 impact rating under UL 2218, and a Class A fire-rated assembly available. Made from 95% recycled materials, it installs at a comparable price to cedar and is backed by a fully transferable lifetime warranty.
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Enviroshake
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Cedar Shake
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| Appearance |
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Look
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Replicates the depth, texture, and grain of #1 grade cedar
for its whole life
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Authentic natural wood, but appearance shifts continuously as it weathers
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Color Options
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Silvered Cedar, Aged Cedar, multi-tone, and custom colors
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Natural aging only, golden-brown to silver-grey
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Consistency Over Time
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Engineered to hold a consistent appearance
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Continues to change past the silver-grey stage: cupping, splitting, checking, uneven color
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| Durability & Performance |
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Lifespan
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50+ years, backed by a lifetime warranty
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20-30 years with proper maintenance and favorable climate
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Rot, Blister, Peel, Crack
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Will not rot, blister, peel, or crack
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Susceptible to all four, particularly with prolonged moisture exposure
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Moisture Resistance
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Excellent; does not absorb moisture
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Naturally resistant, but absorbs moisture over time
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Mold, Mildew, Insects
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Resistant
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Susceptible, especially in humid or shaded conditions
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Wind Resistance
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Third-party tested to 180 MPH
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Depends on installation quality and age
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Impact Resistance
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Class 4 rating
(UL 2218), the highest available
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Can split from hail or falling branches
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Fire Performance
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Class C standard,
Class A available
(ASTM E108/CAN/ULC S107)
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Naturally combustible unless chemically treated
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| Maintenance |
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Ongoing Maintenance
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Maintenance and worry free
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Regular inspections, cleaning, and periodic shake replacement
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Pretreatments / Preservatives
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None required
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Requires pre-treatments and topical preservatives to manage rot and fire risk
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Walkability
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Walkable without damage
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Risk of cracking or splitting shakes underfoot
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| Installation |
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Installed Cost
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Comparable to cedar
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Baseline comparison
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Waste Factor
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5-10%
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15-20%
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Requires Cedar Breather / Strapping or Interweaving
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No
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Yes
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| Sustainability |
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Material Source
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Made from
95% recycled materials
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Renewable, but harvested from old-growth cedar stands
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Value Retention
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Retains
70-80%
of installed value for the homeowner
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Depreciates in value from the date of installation
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| Warranty |
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Warranty
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Lifetime, fully transferable within the first 50 years
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Varies by installer; wood itself carries no manufacturer warranty
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