There is something about a wood shake roof that just looks right on a Colorado home. Against a backdrop of pine trees and mountain views, the natural texture and warm tones of cedar shake feel like they belong. Drive through neighborhoods in Evergreen, Conifer, or parts of Boulder, and you will see plenty of beautiful wood shake roofs that look like they have been there forever.
And some of them have been there a while. That is not always a good thing.
Wood shake roofing has real aesthetic appeal, and in the right conditions, it can last 30 years or more. But Colorado is not the right conditions for low maintenance wood roofing. Our climate creates a set of challenges that make wood shake one of the most demanding roofing materials a Colorado homeowner can choose.
What Is Wood Shake Roofing?
Wood shakes are thick, rough textured roofing pieces split or sawn from logs, typically western red cedar. They are thicker and more irregular than wood shingles, which are machine sawn to uniform thickness. The rough split texture gives shakes their distinctive rustic appearance.
Cedar is the preferred species because of its natural oils that resist moisture absorption and insect damage. However, those natural oils deplete over time, especially under UV exposure, leaving the wood increasingly vulnerable to the elements.
Why Colorado Is Tough on Wood Shake
UV Degradation at Altitude. Cedar's natural preservative oils break down faster under intense UV exposure. At Front Range elevations, UV radiation is roughly 25 percent stronger than at sea level. That accelerated UV exposure bleaches the wood, dries out the natural oils faster, and shortens the protective lifespan of untreated shake.
Freeze Thaw Cycling. Wood absorbs moisture. In Colorado, that moisture freezes and thaws dozens of times per winter. Each cycle expands and contracts the wood fibers, creating micro cracks that grow larger over time. After several years of freeze thaw cycling, individual shakes can split, curl, or crumble.
Hail Damage. Large hailstones can split or crack wood shakes on impact. Unlike asphalt shingles where hail damage often shows as subtle bruising, hail damage on wood shake is often dramatic and visible. Cracked and split shakes need prompt replacement to prevent water infiltration.
Fire Risk. This is the most serious concern for Colorado wood shake homeowners. Wood shake carries a Class C fire rating at best, and many older installations have no fire rating at all. Colorado has experienced devastating wildfire events in recent years, and communities along the foothills and mountain corridors have increasingly adopted fire codes that restrict or prohibit wood shake roofing.
Several Front Range municipalities and fire protection districts now require Class A fire rated roofing materials. If your home is in a wildland urban interface zone and you have wood shake, check your local fire codes because you may be required to replace it with a fire rated material when the time comes.
Maintenance Requirements
A wood shake roof in Colorado requires active maintenance to reach its full potential lifespan. This is not a set it and forget it material.
Annual Inspection. You should have a professional inspect your wood shake roof at least once per year, ideally in spring after the freeze thaw season. The inspector should check for split, curled, or missing shakes, examine the condition of valleys and flashings, and assess the overall condition of the wood.
Cleaning. Debris accumulation on wood shake creates moisture pockets that accelerate rot. Pine needles, leaves, and organic debris need to be removed at least twice per year. Moss and lichen growth is common on north facing slopes and in shaded areas, and it needs to be treated with appropriate cleaners (not pressure washing, which damages the wood fibers).
Treatment. Periodic application of wood preservative and UV protectant extends the life of the shake. Most experts recommend treatment every three to five years. Skipping treatments accelerates deterioration noticeably.
Spot Repairs. Individual damaged shakes need to be replaced as they fail. This is an ongoing cost that adds up over the life of the roof. Finding replacement shakes that match the color and weathering of the existing roof becomes increasingly difficult as the roof ages.
Lifespan Expectations in Colorado
A well maintained cedar shake roof in Colorado can last 20 to 30 years. Without consistent maintenance, 15 to 20 years is more realistic. Compare that to a properly installed Class 4 impact resistant asphalt shingle that can last 20 to 25 years in Colorado with virtually no maintenance beyond periodic inspections.
The total cost of ownership for a wood shake roof, including the higher installation cost, the ongoing maintenance expenses, and the shorter replacement cycle when maintenance is neglected, is substantially higher than asphalt shingles or most other roofing options.
Alternatives That Capture the Look
If you love the look of wood shake but want better performance and lower maintenance, two alternatives are worth considering.
Synthetic shake products made from engineered polymers replicate the look of natural cedar shake with significantly better fire resistance, impact resistance, and longevity. Many synthetic shake products carry Class A fire ratings and Class 4 impact ratings. They do not absorb moisture, do not require chemical treatments, and maintain their appearance for decades.
Architectural asphalt shingles in wood tone colors like GAF Timberline HDZ Weathered Wood or CertainTeed Landmark Weathered Wood provide a warm, natural tone that evokes the feel of wood shake at a fraction of the cost and maintenance burden.
Making the Decision
We are not going to tell you wood shake is a bad product. It is a beautiful material with genuine character. But we want you to go in with open eyes about what it demands in Colorado's climate. If you are committed to the maintenance schedule, budget for the ongoing care, and your local fire codes allow it, wood shake can be a rewarding choice.
If you want the look without the maintenance burden, the synthetic and architectural shingle alternatives give you most of the aesthetic at a fraction of the ongoing effort and cost.
Gates Enterprises helps Colorado homeowners evaluate all of their roofing options honestly. With our quadruple manufacturer certification from GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and Malarkey, we carry the full range of products and can guide you to the best choice for your home and lifestyle about Gates Enterprises.
Call us at (720) 766-3377 or contact us for a free inspection and consultation. We will give you straight answers about what your roof needs.