How do I know if my cedar shake roof needs replacing or just repair?

If the damage is limited to a few shakes or one slope, a repair often makes sense. When moss, splitting and soft wood show up across several slopes, replacement is usually the better value. Our free inspection shows you which one it is, with photos.

Do I need new decking when going from cedar shakes to shingles?

Often, yes. Cedar is commonly installed over spaced sheathing, and shingles need a solid deck. We check it during the inspection and include it in your written estimate.

Do you replace cedar shake roofs on the Kansas side?

Yes. We work across the Kansas City metro in Missouri and Kansas, including Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, Olathe, Lenexa and Shawnee. Licensed in Kansas (KS14-004306).

How much does a cedar shake roof replacement cost in Kansas City?

It depends on roof size, pitch, decking and material. We inspect the roof for free and give you a written, itemized estimate.

What warranty do I get?

A lifetime workmanship warranty on every roof installed by John Beal Roofing, plus the manufacturer's standard product warranty.

Cedar Shake Roof Replacement Kansas City

Cedar Shake Roof Replacement in Kansas City

When moss, splitting and soft wood show up across several slopes, a cedar shake roof is near the end of its life. John Beal Roofing replaces cedar shake roofs across the Kansas City metro, on both the Missouri and Kansas side, with new cedar or a low-maintenance shake-look shingle. It starts with a free inspection, by drone when the roof is too slick to walk. Call our Kansas City office at (816) 572-9500, answered 24/7.

Quick answer: If your Kansas City cedar shake roof has moss across several slopes, split or curled shakes, soft wood or leaks, it is usually time to replace it. John Beal Roofing replaces cedar shake roofs across Kansas City, MO and KS with new cedar or a shake-look shingle, starting with a free drone inspection and a written estimate. Every roof we install carries our lifetime workmanship warranty. Call (816) 572-9500.

Signs your Kansas City cedar shake roof needs replacing

Moss or lichen across more than one slope, not just one shady corner
Shakes that are split, cupped, curled or missing after storms
Soft, dark or rotted wood when the shakes are pressed
Water stains in the attic or on ceilings
Repairs that keep coming back on the same slopes

Moss is the one Kansas City homeowners see first. It grows right between the shakes, holds water against the wood, and that's when the shakes split and rot. Shaded slopes under mature trees usually go first.

Your options: new cedar or a shake-look shingle

You can go back with real cedar, or choose a shake-look shingle that keeps the rustic look with less upkeep, such as CertainTeed Presidential Shake, IKO ArmourShake or Atlas StormMaster Shake. We walk you through colors and what each option means for your home before you decide.

What happens to the roof deck

Many older cedar roofs were installed over spaced (skip) sheathing so the wood can breathe. Shingles need a solid deck, so we check the decking during the inspection and include any new sheathing in your written estimate. No surprises halfway through the job.

How a cedar shake replacement works with us

Free inspection — slope by slope, by drone when moss makes it unsafe to walk.
Written, itemized estimate — materials, decking and scope in writing.
Insurance help — if storms or hail caused the damage, we help document it for your claim.
Tear-off and deck prep — old shakes off, decking repaired or replaced.
Installation and walkthrough — then your lifetime workmanship warranty.

Watch: cedar shake roofs in Kansas City

A 30-second look at what moss does to a cedar shake roof, and how we inspect one by drone when it's too slick to walk.

Video transcript

Kansas City, got a cedar shake roof? Look for moss. It grows right between the shakes, holds water against the wood, and that's when they split and rot. We inspect cedar roofs all over Kansas City, by drone when they're too slick to walk. Get a free inspection. Call John Beal Roofing, 816-572-9500.

Cedar shake roofing across the Kansas City metro

There are a lot of cedar shake roofs in Kansas City, and we work on them all over the metro, including Kansas City, MO, Kansas City, KS, Overland Park, KS, Leawood, KS, Prairie Village, KS, Olathe, KS, Lenexa, KS, Shawnee, KS, Lee's Summit, MO, Independence, MO, Blue Springs, MO, Liberty, MO, Gladstone, MO, Raytown, MO, Grandview, MO, Parkville, MO.

Why Kansas City homeowners call John Beal Roofing

A local Kansas City office at 7440 NW River Park Drive, Parkville, MO 64152, staffed by local people. Call (816) 572-9500, answered 24/7.
Both sides of the state line. Licensed in Kansas (KS14-004306). Kansas City, KS line: 913-281-6000.
Lifetime workmanship warranty on every roof we install, plus the manufacturer's standard product warranty.
Family-owned for three generations, with 50,000+ satisfied customers and 669 Google reviews.
Credentials: GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, BBB Accredited, BBB Torch Award Winner for Ethics.

Kansas City cedar shake roof replacement FAQ

How do I know if my cedar shake roof needs replacing or just repair?: If the damage is limited to a few shakes or one slope, a repair often makes sense. When moss, splitting and soft wood show up across several slopes, the shakes underneath are usually done and replacement is the better value. Our free inspection shows you which one it is, with photos.
What can I replace a cedar shake roof with in Kansas City?: New cedar, or a shake-look shingle such as CertainTeed Presidential Shake, IKO ArmourShake or Atlas StormMaster Shake. These give you a similar look with less maintenance.
Do I need new decking when going from cedar shakes to shingles?: Often, yes. Cedar is commonly installed over spaced sheathing, and shingles need a solid deck. We check it during the inspection and put any decking in your written estimate.
Do you replace cedar shake roofs on the Kansas side?: Yes. We work across the Kansas City metro in both Missouri and Kansas, including Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, Olathe, Lenexa and Shawnee. We are licensed in Kansas (KS14-004306).
Will insurance cover a cedar shake roof replacement?: It depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. If storms or hail damaged the roof, we document it and help you through the claim.
How much does a cedar shake roof replacement cost in Kansas City?: It depends on roof size, pitch, decking condition and whether you choose cedar or a shake-look shingle. We don't quote a number without seeing the roof. The inspection and written estimate are free.
What warranty do I get?: Every roof installed by John Beal Roofing comes with our lifetime workmanship warranty, plus the manufacturer's standard product warranty.

Shake-look alternatives we install: ProVia metal shake roofing and Brava synthetic shake, slate and tile.