Home › Guides › Replacing cedar shake

Should I replace my cedar shake roof in Marin, and with what?

Short answerIf your Marin shake roof is splitting, cupping or growing moss across the slopes, it's usually time to replace it. In a very high fire hazard zone, a reroof of more than half the roof must be Class A, which plain cedar can't meet. Options include treated shake assemblies, synthetic shake, composition, metal and tile. Get a free estimate below.

Every roofer we work with is licensed, insured and highly reviewed by Bay Area homeowners.

Updated · Sources reviewed November 12, 2026 · By Marin Roof Replacement

  • Active C-39 roofing license, checked on CSLB
  • Contractor's bond and workers' comp on file
  • Tear-off, permit and warranty paperwork handled
  • Free written estimate, no obligation

How do I know a shake roof is finished?

Look for shakes that are split, curled or thinned, gaps you can see daylight through from the attic, and moss or lichen spread across whole slopes rather than one shady corner. Shakes under Marin's redwoods and oaks stay wet and break down faster than the same roof in sun. InterNACHI's life-expectancy table lists wood shakes well below metal or tile (InterNACHI). A roofer can tell you whether a section repair still makes sense; most of the time, on an older shake roof, it doesn't.

Can I put cedar shake back on?

Maybe, but often not plain shake. California's Health and Safety Code requires a Class A roof when more than half of a roof is replaced within a year in a very high fire hazard severity zone (HSC 13132.7), and many Marin hillside neighborhoods sit in those zones (CAL FIRE map). Untreated cedar doesn't rate Class A. Fire-retardant-treated shakes can, as part of a listed assembly with a special underlayment. Ask for the listing in writing.

What can replace shake and keep the look?

Option Why Marin homeowners pick it Ask about
Fire-retardant-treated shake Keeps real wood The full Class A assembly and upkeep
Synthetic (composite) shake Shake profile, lighter, often Class A Listing, color fade, walkability
Designer composition shingle Thick, shadowed look, Class A Wind rating near ridges
Metal or stone-coated steel Class A, long life, sheds needles Noise, snow guards on steep slopes
Concrete tile Class A, very long life Weight and framing check

Will my insurer care?

Often. Wood roofs come up in wildfire underwriting, and a Class A roof is one of the mitigation steps in the state's Safer from Wildfires program. FIRESafe MARIN explains local home hardening, and our ember-resistant vents guide covers what goes with the new roof.

Find a roofer by city: San Rafael roofers, Mill Valley roofers, Sausalito roofers, Novato roofers, Larkspur & Corte Madera roofers, Tiburon & Belvedere roofers.

Every roofer we work with is licensed, insured and highly reviewed by Bay Area homeowners.

Get a free replacement quote

Frequently asked questions

Is a cedar shake roof allowed in Marin?

In a very high fire hazard severity zone, replacing more than half the roof requires a Class A roof. Treated shake can qualify only as part of a listed Class A assembly; check your zone and local rules.

What looks most like shake but is Class A?

Synthetic shake and some heavy designer composition shingles mimic the profile; many are Class A. Confirm each product's listing.

Does tearing off shake cost more than shingles?

Shake tear-off is heavier and messier, and the spaced boards under it often need solid sheathing added. Your estimate should show both items.

Related questions

Sources

Sources reviewed November 12, 2026. Figures are published estimates and official fees, not quotes. Confirm prices, permits and requirements with your contractor and building department. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice.