Wood shake roofs

Wood shake roofs are made of split cedar, and they were once a popular choice on Colorado homes. You'll still see many of them, often weathered to silver-gray. Most homeowners with shake today are deciding when and with what to replace it.

Shakes vs shingles

Wood shakes are split from the log, so they're thicker with a rough, uneven face. Wood shingles are sawn, thinner and smoother. Both behave similarly on a roof, and most people use "shake" for either.

How long shake lasts

InterNACHI's guideline life for wood roofs is about 25 years. Colorado is hard on wood. Dry air and strong sun dry it out, so shakes split, curl and cup. Hail splits weathered shakes easily. Moss and rot are less common here than in wet climates, but shaded, poorly ventilated roofs can still decay. See Colorado's climate for more on sun and hail.

Fire concerns

Wood burns. Untreated wood shake is not a Class A roof, and dry shake is vulnerable to embers, which are how most homes catch fire in a wildfire. Embers land on the roof and lodge in gaps between shakes or in debris.

The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code

Colorado adopted a statewide Wildfire Resiliency Code in 2025. In Low and Medium/High hazard areas on the state map, roofs need a Class A covering or assembly, ember and flame blocking at gaps under the covering, metal valleys and noncombustible gutters. Local governments with wildland-urban interface areas were required to adopt the code by April 1, 2026 and comply by July 1, 2026. A bill to delay that, HB26-1334, died.

When the code applies to a re-roof varies by town. Centennial, for example, applies it to replacements of 25% or more of the roof surface. Fort Collins separately requires Class A whenever the roof material changes. Treated shake products exist, but any rating applies only to the specific tested product and assembly. As of October 2026, check with your building department before planning a new shake roof.

Replacing a shake roof

Shake is usually installed over spaced boards, also called skip sheathing: 1x4 or 1x6 boards with gaps between them so the wood can breathe. Most asphalt shingle manufacturers require solid decking, so a re-roof from shake to shingles usually adds new plywood or OSB sheets over the old boards. That adds cost, and quotes should spell it out.

Shake also must come off before anything new goes on. Lakewood requires tear-off to the deck on every re-roof, and Denver requires it when two or more layers exist. Expect more debris and a bigger tear-off charge than with shingles.

What to replace it with

If you like the shake look, synthetic shake and stone-coated metal both offer shake profiles, and some carry Class A and Class 4 ratings. Architectural asphalt is the budget choice. Check your HOA covenants, since some require a particular look. The free Roof Report can help you see how much hail your current roof has taken. Compare all options on the materials overview.

Common questions

Can I still put a wood shake roof on my house?

It depends on where you live. In mapped wildfire hazard areas, the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code requires a Class A roof covering or assembly, and other local rules and HOAs may limit shake. Check with your building department first.

How long does a cedar shake roof last?

InterNACHI's guideline is about 25 years. In Colorado's dry, sunny climate and hail, many shake roofs need replacing sooner.

Why does replacing a shake roof cost more?

Shake roofs are often installed over spaced boards instead of solid sheathing. Most shingle and many other products require solid decking, so new sheets are usually added, which adds labor and material.

Can fire-retardant treatment make shake Class A?

Some treated shake products and assemblies are rated for fire, but the rating applies to the specific tested product and assembly. Ask for documentation that shows the rating your code requires.