Option A
Real Cedar Shake
Western red cedar — the traditional shake roof
Option B
Composite Shake
Polymer-blend shake tiles — DaVinci, Brava, EcoStar
Bottom Line
Composite shake wins on lifespan, fire rating, and maintenance for nearly every NJ home. Real cedar wins only when historical accuracy is the priority — and even then, modern composite shakes have gotten close enough that many homeowners can't tell the difference from the street.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | A — Real Cedar Shake | B — Composite Shake | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Western red cedar (or southern white cedar) | Engineered polymer composite | Tie |
| Expected lifespan in NJ climate | 20–30 years with regular maintenance, less without | 50+ years (lifetime limited warranty) | B |
| Fire rating | Class C standard; Class A with pressure-treated/fire-retardant treatment | Class A standard | B |
| Maintenance required | Periodic cleaning, treatment every 5–7 years to prevent rot/moss | Effectively maintenance-free | B |
| Rot / pest risk | Real wood — can rot, can harbor pests in chronic-moisture areas | Polymer doesn't rot; doesn't attract pests | B |
| Visual authenticity | The real thing — natural variation, real grain | Excellent — best products are nearly indistinguishable at curb view | A |
| Installation cost | Premium cost — specialty material and longer install time | Comparable or slightly less than real cedar | Tie |
| Hail performance | Good — wood absorbs impact | Excellent — polymer flexes | B |
| Wind rating | Variable by install detail — high quality installs reach 110+ mph | Rated 110–130 mph on modern lines | B |
Pick Real Cedar Shake When…
- Strict historic district that requires real cedar
- Multi-generational home with budget for ongoing maintenance
- Owner who values authentic natural materials over performance metrics
- Roof has full sun exposure (limits rot risk)
Pick Composite Shake When…
- Heavy tree shade or moisture-prone microclimate
- Fire-resistance matters (wooded lots, fire-prone areas)
- Owner wants the shake aesthetic without ongoing maintenance
- Long-term home — pays back the upfront premium with lifespan
- Insurance underwriting penalizes real cedar (some carriers do)
Common Questions
Why do real cedar shakes fail in 20 years when the marketing says 30+?
Real cedar lasts 30+ years when properly maintained — cleaned, treated against moss and rot, and replaced individually as tiles fail. The reality is most homeowners don't maintain shake roofs that aggressively, and in NJ's wet climate untreated cedar can be visibly failing in 20 years. Composite shake gets you the same look without the maintenance dependency.
Is composite shake cheaper than cedar?
About the same on material cost, sometimes slightly less. Composite shake's real economic advantage is over the 30-year period — the cedar roof needs treatment and tile replacement during that window, while composite typically needs nothing.
Will my insurance company prefer one over the other?
Most NJ insurance carriers now prefer composite shake over real cedar because of fire-rating differences. Some carriers charge a premium surcharge on real cedar roofs; most treat composite shake similarly to architectural asphalt for rating purposes.
Can I switch from cedar to composite shake?
Yes — composite shake installs over a similar substrate to cedar (solid deck with underlayment) and roof framing usually doesn't need to change. Many of our cedar-to-composite conversions in NJ happen when the existing cedar reaches end-of-life and homeowners decide they don't want to commit to another 25 years of cedar maintenance.
Other Material Comparisons
Architectural Asphalt vs Standing-Seam Metal
Asphalt shingles are the most common residential roof in New Jersey. Metal roofing is the longest-lasting. Both are legitimate choices — but they win in different situations. Here's how to decide which makes sense for your home.
Standard Architectural vs Designer / Luxury
Designer shingles (GAF Camelot, CertainTeed Presidential, etc.) cost 15–35% more than standard architectural lines. They look better, last longer, and carry longer warranties. But are they worth the upgrade for every home? Honest comparison.
Real Slate vs Synthetic Slate
Real slate is a true lifetime roof, but it costs 4–6× as much as asphalt and requires specialty installers. Synthetic slate (DaVinci, Brava, EcoStar) costs 1.5–2× asphalt and looks remarkably close to the real thing. Here's how to choose.