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How Much Does Wood Shake Installation Cost?

Roofing options are plentiful and while some are more practical or beneficial choices, others are more aesthetically pleasing. A wood shake installation for your roofing material is very popular among homeowners for several reasons. However, the overall cost to install a wood shake roof can range depending on where you live, how steep your roof is and the exact type of wood materials you choose.

Wood Shake vs Wood Shingle

Keep in mind, when people think of wood shake roofs, they are usually not referring to the same thing as wood shingles. Wood shakes and wood shingles are manufactured from western red cedar, cypress, pine and redwood trees.

Unlike shakes, shingles are cut by machine and are usually nearly completely uniform in size and shape. A wood shake installation makes use of wood pieces that are hand-split at least on one side, if not on all sides. The hand-splitting of the wood shake make the various pieces more unique and randomly-sized.

What To Expect As a Wood Shake Roof Owner

The coloring of your wood roof will fade slowly over time to a soft gray or silver tone.

You need to be mindful that a wood shake roof will be more prone to fire damage compared to tar or plastic shingle roofs.

You will have to re-do the wood shake installation every two decades or so due to the natural weathering and decay of wood versus modern, synthetic materials.

Wood shake roofs give a much more rustic and traditional look than regular shingles.

How Much Will It Cost To Install My Wood Shake Roof?

Fully installed wood shakes can range from £3.86 to £6.17 per square foot, with the final price influenced by various factors.

In roofing, a 10 x 10 ft area, known as a square, is the standard measurement. For this analysis, we'll consider a roof of 25 squares (approximately 232.26 square meters) with an average pitch and a single layer of old roofing to remove.

The average cost to install wood shake for this type of roof is around £8,327 to £9,792, covering the area with heavy-duty 18 - 24-inch wood cedar shakes. In some instances, costs could rise to £15,422, especially for steeper roofs, which demand more wood shakes and preparation.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of wood shake installation pricing, consulting with local experts and comparing estimates is advisable for the best deals and value.

Cost Breakdown

Removing the old roof costs about £1,542 for the average 25-square roof.

Labor for a wood shake installation job of this size typically costs £115 per square, amounting to a total of £2,891 in labor costs for covering 25 squares.

Additional Work

Any further additions or repairs could as much as £1,773 to your final bill, but completing these at the same time as your wood shake installation could hold some savings benefits.

This may include things like:

vents

chimney re-bricking

downpipes

gutters

soffit

snow guards

other exterior trims

Making use of a high-grade roof sealant is a great option if you want to prevent future leaks too. This upgrade typically costs £616 - £771 for a standard 25 square roof.

Equally, installing a waterproof membrane will not only provide sufficient waterproofing, but many states require this depending on the type of roof you are installing. This usually costs £46 per square depending on the quality of brand, so do not forget to enquire about local building codes.

Other Options

Fortunately, if you are still undecided on a wood shake installation, there are other options. Today there are many modern materials available that can mimic the look of wood shake but with greater durability, fire resistance, and less maintenance. Whether an alternative makes sense for your homes roof is entirely up to you as the homeowner, but the cost of each installation from a labor and material cost standpoint remains very similar.

Get Your Free Localized Wood Shake Installation Estimate

Would you like to get a more accurate breakdown of the cost to install a wood shake roof on your home? When you simply enter your home postcode into the space provided on this page, your local area expert on wood shake installation will reach out to you with a 100% FREE, no-obligation estimate. There is no pressure to purchase, hire, or sign any contracts whatsoever.

Based on the advice and information you receive, you can then decide if the traditional look is still desirable to you while considering your overall cost to install a wood shake roof.