How long does a wood shake roof last?
By Best Roofing Answers · Published May 2026 · Updated July 2026
Cedar shake roofs typically last 25–40 years with regular maintenance, with premium taper-sawn Alaskan yellow cedar reaching the top of that range; treated shakes may be required for Class A or B fire rating in wildland-urban-interface zones per IRC R902 and local codes.
Maintenance is not optional
Per NRCA and Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau guidance, wood shake roofs need debris cleaning and preservative treatment on a roughly 5–7 year cadence, and any moss growth must be removed before it lifts shakes. Skipping maintenance commonly cuts lifespan to 15–20 years.
In California, Oregon, Washington, and many mountain-west jurisdictions, unrated cedar shake is now prohibited in WUI zones; only Class A/B fire-rated pressure-treated shakes are code-compliant per local IRC amendments.
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