Cedar Shake vs. Asphalt Shingle: Cost Comparison for Federal Way

Cedar shake and asphalt shingle are the two most common roofing materials on Federal Way homes, and the cost difference between them is bigger than the sticker price alone suggests once this climate’s maintenance demands are factored in.

Upfront material cost

Per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed:

• Asphalt/composition shingle: $450–$750
• Cedar shake: $800–$1,400

Cedar runs roughly 1.5 to nearly 2 times the cost of asphalt for the same coverage, driven by both material cost and the slower, more labor-intensive installation process shake roofing requires.

The maintenance cost gap

This is where the comparison gets more interesting than the upfront numbers alone. Cedar shake in the Pacific Northwest needs moss and algae treatment roughly every 1–2 years to reach its full lifespan, versus the 3–5 year interval often cited for drier climates. Asphalt shingle — especially an algae-resistant (copper-granule) product line — needs less frequent intervention, though it’s not immune to moss either.

Over a 20-year ownership period, that maintenance difference can add up to several thousand dollars in cedar’s column that a straightforward asphalt roof largely avoids.

Lifespan comparison

With aggressive maintenance, cedar shake can reach 30+ years. Left unmaintained in this climate, PNW moss can cut that to 15–20 years — potentially shorter than a well-maintained algae-resistant asphalt roof, which commonly runs 20–25 years with far less intervention required to get there.

Why some Federal Way homeowners choose cedar anyway

Cost isn’t the only factor. Cedar shake suits the architectural style of many older South King County homes, and some HOA covenants in established neighborhoods specifically require wood-look roofing regardless of cost. See our HOA roofing requirements guide if you’re not sure whether your covenant applies.

The honest recommendation

If your HOA doesn’t require cedar and budget (both upfront and ongoing) is the deciding factor, algae-resistant asphalt shingle is the lower-total-cost choice for this climate. If architectural fit or covenant requirements matter more, cedar is a legitimate choice as long as you budget for the maintenance cadence this climate actually demands — not the lighter schedule that applies in drier regions.