# Cedar Shake Roof Installation & Re-Roof Federal Way WA | Federal Way Roofing

> Cedar shake installation, re-roofing, and moss-driven shake replacement for Federal Way's older housing stock — built around the maintenance cadence this material actually needs in a wet PNW climate.

URL: https://federalwayroofing.net/cedar-shake-roofing/

## Price

$800-$1,400 roofing square (100 sq ft) installed. reconciled from regional contractor-published ranges for cedar shake material and labor in the Puget Sound area — see the cost guide for the full breakdown.

## What's included

- On-site inspection and a written per-square price before any work starts
- Full tear-off to the deck where a re-roof is needed, with sheathing spacing corrected to current shake-installation spec
- Premium-grade cedar shakes selected for this region's moisture exposure, not a budget grade prone to early splitting
- Breathable underlayment system designed for shake roofs, not a solid membrane that traps moisture against the wood
- Proper shake spacing and exposure for drainage and ventilation under the shakes themselves
- Flashing, valleys, and ridge detailing installed to manufacturer and code spec
- A King County or Federal Way reroofing permit pulled as part of the job
- A maintenance schedule recommendation calibrated to this area's moss/algae pressure, not a generic national interval

## Process

01. **Free on-site inspection** - We walk the roof, check individual shakes for splitting and cupping, and assess how much moss has already gotten under the shake layer.
02. **Permit and material order** - We pull the permit and order premium-grade cedar shakes suited to this climate's moisture exposure.
03. **Tear-off and install (or selective shake replacement)** - Full re-roof where warranted, or targeted shake replacement if the roof is still within its useful life — we tell you honestly which applies.
04. **Inspection and maintenance plan** - Final inspection, cleanup, and a maintenance-interval recommendation so you're not caught off guard by how fast PNW moss works on cedar.

## When it's needed

- Individual shakes cupping, splitting, or curling
- Moss visibly lifting shakes or growing between them
- Dark streaking or soft, spongy-feeling shakes underfoot
- Roof is original to a home built before the 1990s and has had minimal maintenance
- HOA covenant requires cedar or wood-look roofing and current roof is failing
- Considering a switch away from cedar due to maintenance burden

## FAQ

**How long does a cedar shake roof actually last in Western Washington?**

With routine maintenance — moss treatment every 1-2 years rather than the 3-5 years often recommended in drier climates — a cedar shake roof can reach 30+ years. Left unmaintained, PNW moss can cut that to 15-20 years by trapping moisture against the wood and lifting shakes.

**Should I treat the moss or replace the roof?**

If the shakes themselves are still structurally sound and the damage is mostly surface moss, treatment and selective shake replacement is usually the better spend. If a large share of shakes are cupped, split, or rotted, a full re-roof stops you from paying for repeated treatments on a roof that's already failing. We'll tell you which situation you're in.

**Does my HOA require cedar shake?**

Some South King County HOAs, especially in older established neighborhoods, specify wood-look or cedar roofing in their covenants. Worth confirming with your HOA before choosing a different material — we can work with whatever your HOA requires.

**Is cedar shake worth the higher cost compared to asphalt shingle?**

It depends on your priorities — cedar costs more upfront and needs more frequent moss maintenance, but many older Federal Way homes were designed around its look, and some HOAs require it. See our material comparison guide for the full cost and maintenance tradeoff.