Old roof removal
Every layer comes off section by section.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Morristown, NJ
A roofer in Morristown can replace a worn-out cedar shake roof by tearing off the old shakes and felt down to the sheathing, repairing or adding decking and installing a new roof, with the deck matched to whatever comes next. One call to (862) 363-5004 reaches a nearby cedar roof replacement pro.
There comes a stage when patching a wood roof just moves the leak. The shakes erode thinner every year, the butts rot, the nails rust through and the wood turns so brittle that a roofer cannot replace one shake without cracking three more. Replacement then protects the house instead of patching a roof with no life left.
Overlaying cedar shakes with new roofing is not a real option. Covering old shakes traps wet wood under the new roof, leaves bumps and adds fuel load, which is why codes generally require a tear-off. Tear-off also lets the roofer see and fix every rotted board.
What sits under the shakes shapes the whole project. Many older wood roofs were built on spaced boards with gaps for airflow, which works for new cedar but not for asphalt shingles, metal or most synthetic products. Rotted boards are replaced either way.
Depending on what the roofer finds, cedar shake roof replacement in Morristown, NJ can go hand in hand with cedar shake roof installation and cedar shake roof repair.
Looking for Morristown cedar shake roof replacement? Call (862) 363-5004 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How cedar shake roof replacement works
A cedar replacement is a bigger tear-off than most roofs.
Plan the new roof
The roofer inspects the deck from the attic, measures the roof and talks through new cedar versus synthetic shakes, architectural shingles or metal. Code and permit requirements are confirmed before work starts.
Site prep
The crew protects landscaping, siding and windows and sets a dumpster close to the house. Cover stored items in the attic, because old wood roofs shed dust inward.
Tear off to the deck
The crew removes the shakes, interlay, flashing and ridge caps, clearing the deck completely. Sometimes a forgotten layer of shingles turns up and is removed as well.
Repair the deck
The roofer replaces soft boards and adds solid sheathing where the new material requires it. This is the step that makes the new roof flat and secure.
Dry-in
The deck is dried in with an eave membrane, underlayment and new edge metal. The dry-in method depends on the new material.
Finish the roof
The new roof goes on with new valley metal, step flashing, pipe boots and ridge ventilation. The site is cleaned and swept with magnets before the crew leaves.
What is included
What the replacement includes
Cleanup
Debris is removed daily leaving the property clean.
Sheathing
Damaged sheathing is renewed before anything new goes on.
New flashing
All flashing is replaced, not reused for a watertight finish.
Underlayment
New underlayment and eave membrane protect the deck where water and ice gather.
Related service
Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement Morristown, NJ
Sawn cedar shingles were once the default roof on many older houses, and many are now due for replacement. Many were built on open board decks, and some were roofed over decades ago, which means two layers to remove. Once the deck is bare, the roofer decides whether the boards can carry new shingles or need solid sheathing.
Putting cedar shingles back preserves the character of an older house. Some historic districts require it, while others accept materials that imitate wood. A roofer in Morristown can help you weigh the look, the upkeep and the rules before you decide.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Near Me
Many cedar roofs being replaced in Morristown are the original wood on homes several decades old. For homes in Morristown and nearby places including Cedar Knolls, Morris Plains, Whippany and Madison, storms and age decide the timing, and the house style decides the material, which is worth talking through before any work begins.
For cedar shake roof replacement in Morristown, NJ or nearby towns like Cedar Knolls, Morris Plains, Whippany and Madison, call (862) 363-5004 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Morristown
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Morristown is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Less damage
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Morristown
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Morristown and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement questions
What can I replace my cedar shake roof with?
Several materials can replace a cedar roof. Synthetic or composite shakes imitate the look with less upkeep, architectural asphalt shingles cost less and are common, and metal or stone-coated steel lasts a long time. Switching away from cedar usually means adding solid decking.
Should I put a new cedar roof back on?
The choice depends on the look, maintenance and rules in your area. Cedar offers real wood character but more upkeep than synthetic or metal options. A roofer can compare samples with you before you decide.
Is it okay to roof over a cedar shake roof?
Laying new material over shakes causes more problems than it solves. Shakes create an irregular surface and trap moisture under the new roofing. Removing the old roof is the right first step.
How long does a cedar roof replacement take?
The timeline is usually a few days to a week or more for bigger homes. Weather, deck repairs and roof size all affect the schedule. The roof is never left open overnight.
Will my roof deck need to be replaced?
It comes down to the material you choose. New cedar can go on sound spaced boards, but asphalt shingles, metal and most synthetic products need solid plywood or OSB. Damaged boards always get replaced.
More questions? Call (862) 363-5004
Often needed together
Cedar Shake Roof Installation
Installing cedar shakes or shingles with proper exposure, valleys, ridge caps and ventilation, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Cedar roof repairs from single cracked shakes up to worn ridge caps and open valleys, so a sound cedar roof keeps shedding water.
Learn moreRoof Replacement
A complete new roof from the deck up when repairs no longer make sense, so the house is dry for decades instead of seasons.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Morristown roofer about cedar shake roof replacement
Call (862) 363-5004 for a local roofer in Morristown and nearby towns.