Natural Beauty, Proven Performance
Cedar shake roofing is one of the most visually distinctive and character-rich roofing options available, and Green Ladder Contractors installs cedar shake roofing for homeowners across Red Deer and Central Alberta who want a natural, textured aesthetic that no synthetic product fully replicates. Real wood cedar has been used on Canadian homes for generations — and when properly installed and maintained, it delivers reliable protection with a look that develops beautiful character and depth as it weathers over time.
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Cedar shake is particularly well-suited to traditional, craftsman, heritage, and character-style homes where the natural material completes the overall look in a way that asphalt or metal simply cannot. It is a premium roofing choice that reflects care, craftsmanship, and a preference for natural materials — and with the right installation foundation and maintenance routine, a cedar shake roof in Central Alberta can last 20 to 30 years.
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Call (587) 447-9009 for a free consultation. We'll assess your home, walk you through the cedar options, and give you an honest comparison against alternative roofing systems so you can make the right decision.
What Makes Cedar Shake Perform
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Natural insulating properties: Cedar has inherent thermal value that contributes to attic temperature regulation
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Wind resistance: Hand-split cedar shakes interlock and resist wind uplift effectively when correctly installed with proper spacing and fastening
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Natural appearance: The colour variation, texture, and dimensional depth of real cedar is unmatched; it weathers to a beautiful silver-grey over time
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Renewable material: Cedar is a natural, renewable resource
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Long lifespan with maintenance: Properly treated and maintained cedar shake can last 20–30 years in Central Alberta
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Character home compatibility: Cedar is the material of choice for heritage, craftsman, and traditional Alberta home styles where authenticity matters
Important Considerations for Cedar in Alberta's Climate
Cedar shake is a premium product that performs well — but it requires more active maintenance than asphalt, metal, or Euroshield. Alberta homeowners choosing cedar should understand what's involved:​
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Moisture and UV exposure: Cedar expands and contracts with moisture changes. In Alberta's climate, UV exposure, dry summers, and wet springs can cause cedar to check (surface crack) and split over time without regular treatment.
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Preservative treatments: Cedar should be treated every 3–5 years with quality wood preservatives, UV inhibitors, mould inhibitors, and fire retardants to maintain performance and extend lifespan. Skipping treatments accelerates deterioration significantly.
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Moss and algae: In shaded areas or where moisture accumulates, cedar is susceptible to moss and algae growth. Regular cleaning and preventive treatments help manage this.
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Fire treatment: Untreated cedar is a combustible material. Building codes in many Alberta municipalities require cedar shake roofs to be treated with fire retardant. Green Ladder Contractors ensures all cedar installations meet local code requirements.
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Proper installation is critical: Cedar shake must be installed with correct spacing to allow drainage and airflow beneath the shakes, using breathable underlayment rather than solid felt, and with quality flashings at all penetrations. Poor installation dramatically shortens cedar lifespan regardless of material quality.
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If you're comfortable with a maintenance schedule and value the authentic aesthetic, cedar shake is a rewarding, beautiful roofing choice. If low maintenance is a priority, we'll honestly recommend an alternative that better fits your lifestyle.
What's Included in a Cedar Shake Installation
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Deck inspection and preparation: Sound, dry decking with correct spacing
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Breathable underlayment: Essential for cedar; solid felt traps moisture and accelerates rot
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Starter course and proper shake layout: Correct overlap, exposure, and spacing for drainage
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Hand-split or sawn shake installation: To manufacturer and code specifications
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Flashings: At all chimneys, valleys, vents, and wall intersections
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Ridge cap: Finished cedar ridge for a clean, weathertight peak
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Fire retardant treatment: Where required by local code
Service Areas
Red Deer • Sylvan Lake • Lacombe • Blackfalds • Penhold • Innisfail • Rocky Mountain House • Olds • Ponoka • Bowden • Wetaskiwin • Drumheller • Stettler • Camrose • Drayton Valley • Carstairs
GAF HOME REMODELER
With the GAF Virtual Remodeler, you can match shingle colors and styles along with your home’s siding, trim, and doors to create the best look for your home or property in an instant – try out this visual tool today!
Frequently Asked Questions — Cedar Shake Roofing in Red Deer
How long does cedar shake roofing last in Alberta?
A properly installed and regularly maintained cedar shake roof in Central Alberta can last 20 to 30 years. Lifespan depends heavily on installation quality, the maintenance routine followed, local weather exposure, and whether the roof receives adequate sun and airflow to dry out between rain and snow events. Cedar that is regularly treated with preservatives, UV inhibitors, and mould retardants performs significantly better than untreated cedar, which can deteriorate within 10–15 years in Alberta's climate. The longest-lasting cedar roofs are those where the homeowner commits to a treatment schedule every 3–5 years.
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Does cedar shake roofing require a lot of maintenance in Alberta?
Yes — more than asphalt, metal, or Euroshield. Cedar shake requires treatment with wood preservatives, UV inhibitors, mould inhibitors, and fire retardants every 3–5 years to maintain performance and extend lifespan. Regular cleaning to remove debris, moss, and algae from the roof surface is also important, particularly in shaded areas. For homeowners who are prepared to follow a maintenance schedule, cedar performs well and looks exceptional. For those who prefer a low-maintenance system, metal roofing or Euroshield are more appropriate alternatives that Green Ladder Contractors also installs.​
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Is cedar shake roofing fire safe in Alberta?
Untreated cedar is a combustible material. Most Alberta municipalities require cedar shake roofs to be treated with approved fire retardant products, and many require a fire-rated underlayment beneath the shakes. Green Ladder Contractors ensures all cedar installations meet local building code requirements for fire treatment. Regular re-treatment every few years is also important to maintain the fire retardant properties of the cedar over time, as the treatment degrades with weathering.​
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How does cedar shake hold up to Alberta hail?
Cedar shake has moderate hail resistance compared to Class 4 asphalt, metal, or Euroshield. In light to moderate hail, cedar generally performs adequately — the natural resilience of wood absorbs some impact. In severe hail events, cedar can split, crack, or sustain significant surface damage that accelerates weathering and reduces lifespan. Homeowners in higher hail-risk areas of Central Alberta should consider this when weighing cedar against Class 4-rated alternatives. Green Ladder Contractors will discuss the tradeoffs honestly based on your specific location and risk profile.
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What is the difference between hand-split and sawn cedar shakes?
Hand-split cedar shakes are produced by splitting the wood along its natural grain, creating a rough, textured face with a more pronounced dimensional appearance. They are thicker and have a more rustic, traditional look. Sawn shakes are cut by machine on both sides for a smoother, more uniform appearance, and are slightly thinner. Both are genuine cedar products — the choice is primarily aesthetic, though hand-split shakes are generally considered more traditional and carry a slightly higher cost. Green Ladder Contractors can show you samples of both to help you decide which suits your home's style.​
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How much does cedar shake roofing cost in Red Deer?
Cedar shake roofing is a premium product with a price point above standard asphalt shingles, typically ranging from $12,000 to $22,000+ for a standard residential home in Red Deer depending on the roof size, pitch, complexity, and whether hand-split or sawn shakes are selected. Ongoing maintenance costs — preservative treatments every 3–5 years — should also be factored into the total cost of ownership over the roof's lifespan. Green Ladder Contractors provides free estimates and will walk you through an honest total cost comparison across all roofing systems we install.
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Can cedar shake be repaired rather than fully replaced?
Yes. Individual damaged or deteriorated cedar shakes can be replaced without replacing the entire roof, provided the underlying deck and surrounding shakes are in good condition. Targeted repairs can extend the life of a cedar roof that is otherwise performing well. Green Ladder Contractors can inspect your existing cedar roof, assess the overall condition, and advise whether repair or full replacement is the more cost-effective path based on the age and extent of deterioration.
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