Wood Shingle & Shake Roofing in St. Louis

What Is Wood Shingle & Shake Roofing?

Wood shingle and shake roofing is one of the oldest and most beautiful roofing materials there is — natural wood, almost always western red cedar, cut into individual pieces and laid course by course. Wood shingles are sawn smooth on both faces for a clean, tailored, uniform look. Wood shakes are split rather than sawn, giving them a thicker, rougher, hand-hewn texture with deep shadow lines. Both age into rich, silvery-gray tones over time, and nothing else quite matches the warm, organic character a cedar roof brings to a home.

That natural look is right at home in the wooded settings and established neighborhoods of West St. Louis County — from the estate homes on acreage in Wildwood to the tree-lined streets of historic Kirkwood and the large lots of Town and Country. If you love rustic, high-end curb appeal and you're willing to give the roof the care it deserves, cedar is hard to beat.

The advantages of a cedar roof

• Unmatched natural beauty. Warm, dimensional, and distinctive — a cedar roof gives a home character that manufactured materials only imitate.
• Classic, timeless curb appeal. Cedar suits Craftsman, Tudor, cottage, and rustic-modern homes, and it can be a real boost to a home's character and curb value.
• Naturally resistant. Cedar contains natural oils that help it resist insects and decay, and it handles temperature swings well.
• Good insulating value. Wood insulates better than many roofing materials, which can help moderate attic temperatures.
• Repairable. Individual shingles or shakes can be replaced as needed, so a well-maintained roof can be kept going for decades.

The trade-offs & maintenance notes

Cedar's beauty comes with responsibility. A wood roof needs more upkeep than asphalt shingle or metal: periodic cleaning to clear moss, leaves, and debris; protective treatments to guard against moisture, rot, and UV; and keeping overhanging trees trimmed and gutters clear so the roof can dry out. Untreated wood is combustible, so most modern cedar roofing is available with a fire-retardant treatment that improves its fire rating — we'll always discuss treated-cedar options and local code. Cedar also costs more up front than asphalt. For homeowners who love the look and will maintain it, that investment pays off in beauty and character.

Lifespan & who it's best for

With proper installation and regular maintenance, a quality cedar shingle or shake roof typically lasts 25 to 40 years — and upkeep is the single biggest factor in where it lands in that range. Cedar is best for homeowners who genuinely love the natural look, whose home's architecture calls for it, and who are committed to ongoing care. If you want the warmth of wood with less maintenance, ask us about aluminum shingles, which can be finished to mimic shake while delivering metal-roof durability. And if you're weighing the larger decision, our roof replacement page covers the full process.

How we install & service wood roofs

• 1. Free inspection & estimate. We assess your home's style, the existing deck, and ventilation, then give you a clear written quote with shingle-vs-shake and treatment options.
• 2. Tear-off & deck prep. We remove old roofing, repair any damaged decking, and prepare a sound, properly ventilated base — critical for a wood roof's longevity.
• 3. Underlayment & ventilation. Proper underlayment and airflow let the cedar breathe and dry, which is the key to preventing rot in our humid climate.
• 4. Course-by-course install. Each shingle or shake is laid and fastened with the correct exposure and spacing to manufacturer spec.
• 5. Cleanup & care plan. We haul off debris, run a magnet for nails, and walk you through how to keep your new cedar roof healthy.

Cedar roofing & St. Louis weather

West St. Louis County throws a lot at a roof — Missouri's spring and summer storm season brings hail, straight-line and high winds, and heavy rain, and winters cycle through freeze and thaw. Our humid summers are the main thing to manage with cedar: trapped moisture is a wood roof's enemy. That's why proper ventilation, good installation, and ongoing treatment matter so much here. Done right and maintained, a cedar roof handles our climate well and rewards you with decades of natural beauty. If a storm strikes, our storm damage restoration team can assess and repair wood roofs, and our 24/7 emergency roofing crew is ready if water is getting in.

We install, repair, and maintain cedar roofs throughout Ballwin, Chesterfield, Ellisville, and the surrounding communities. Call us to talk through whether a wood shingle or shake roof is the right fit for your home.