Cedar gives a roof a warmth and texture nothing manufactured can match, and it is woven into the heritage character of neighbourhoods across Vancouver and the North Shore. Western red cedar shakes and shingles are naturally rot- and insect-resistant, and when they are installed and maintained properly they earn their place on a coastal home.
The challenge here is moisture and shade. Cedar needs to breathe and dry between rains, so we install it over a ventilated underlayment or spaced battens that let air move beneath the shakes, with stainless fasteners that will not bleed or fail in our wet climate. Tight, tree-shaded lots on the coast invite moss and algae, which trap water against the wood and shorten its life - so keeping the roof clear and treated is part of owning cedar.
We work with kiln-dried stock and can supply fire-retardant grades where local bylaws call for them. Whether you are restoring a heritage roof or matching new cedar to an existing home, we detail the valleys, hips, and ridges to shed water and give the wood the best chance to last. Expect a real maintenance commitment in return for a roof with genuine character.