Question 1

What does a roofer look for on an aging cedar roof in Airdrie?

Accepted Answer

Splitting shingles, soft spots underfoot and daylight showing through the deck are the three things a roofer zeros in on first when assessing an aging cedar shake roof. In Airdrie's climate, those signs tend to arrive faster than homeowners expect.

What a Cedar Shake Inspection Actually Covers

Shake condition is the starting point. A roofer looks for shakes that have split along the grain, curled at the tips, gone grey and brittle, or lost so much thickness that water can track underneath. Ca

Question 2

Should cedar shakes be treated or oiled in Alberta?

Accepted Answer

Treating or oiling cedar shakes can extend their life, but in Calgary's climate the results are mixed and the timing matters more than most homeowners expect.

What treatments actually do

Raw cedar contains natural oils that resist moisture and decay, but Calgary's dry air, intense UV, and roughly 128 freeze-thaw cycles a year accelerate the loss of those oils. Once the wood dries out and checks (splits along the grain), water gets in, freezes, and widens the cracks. A penetrating oil or prese

Question 3

Do cedar roofs raise home insurance in Alberta?

Accepted Answer

Cedar shake roofs typically cost more to insure in Alberta, and some insurers will not cover them at all. The premium increase varies by insurer and policy, but a cedar shake roof is widely treated as a higher-risk material because it is combustible, it ages faster in Calgary's dry, high-altitude air, and it is more vulnerable to hail damage than modern asphalt or metal alternatives.

Why insurers treat cedar differently

Untreated wood shakes are more combustible than asphalt shingles or metal

Question 4

Why are my cedar shakes splitting on the south side in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

South-facing cedar shakes in Calgary take a beating that shakes on any other exposure simply do not. The combination of intense UV radiation, Calgary's dry high-altitude air, and the city's roughly 128 freeze-thaw cycles a year creates a cycle that splits wood faster than almost anywhere else in Canada.

Why the South Side Is the Problem

The south slope gets the most direct sun year-round. In summer that means repeated heating to very high surface temperatures, which drives moisture out of the

Cedar Shake, Slate & Specialty

What does a roofer look for on an aging cedar roof in Airdrie?

Should cedar shakes be treated or oiled in Alberta?

Do cedar roofs raise home insurance in Alberta?

Why are my cedar shakes splitting on the south side in Calgary?