When That Charming Cedar Shake Roof Starts
Costing You Too Much Money In Upkeep…
We’ve Helped Countless Homeowners Make The
Switch To Composite Shake Roofing Solutions
You see a lot of cedar shake roofing around the Chicagoland area, especially in older, well-loved neighborhoods. Winnetka, Lake Forest, and St. Charles come to mind.
It has that timeless look. Natural. Rich. Even a little romantic.
But after a few decades? That charm starts to wear thin.
We recently installed a new roof on a 36-year-old home, where the original cedar shake roof had finally reached the end of its lifespan. The homeowners had done their best to maintain it over the years—patching here, replacing there—but the cost of upkeep kept climbing. The roof had become more of a burden than a blessing.
Then came the tipping point: their insurance company said they’d no longer cover it. Too old. Too risky. And the cedar shingles themselves? No longer up to code in some eyes.
That’s when they called us.
Oh, Cedar Roofing Is Great…Until Headaches Begin
They adored the cedar shake roof. It was one of the things that made the place feel like home for them in Oak Brook—warm, welcoming, full of character.
But as the years went by, they realized what many folks eventually do: cedar shake is beautiful, but it’s not low-maintenance. Not by a long shot.
They found themselves dealing with:
- Warped or split shingles from our tough Midwest freeze-thaw cycles
- Fungus and moss buildup in the shaded spots of the roof
- Constant worry about fire risk during dry spells
They tried to stay ahead of it—cleanings, treatments, even partial replacements. But eventually, they did the math. Roof repairs weren’t cutting it anymore. And with the insurance company stepping away from coverage? The writing was on the wall.
While Other Roofers Backed Away, We’ve
Done This Thousands Of Times
When they started calling around, they hit another wall: most roofers weren’t comfortable taking on a cedar shake swap-out.
Some wanted to tear everything off and install standard asphalt shingles. Others weren’t familiar with how composite shakes performed—or how to install them properly.
That’s not us.
We’ve worked with every type of residential roofing system under the sun, and we’ve done MANY cedar shake-to-composite conversions. Tons. It’s one of our regular projects.
We took the time to walk the homeowners through their options. They wanted something that looked like cedar shake—but without the upkeep, the insurance headaches, or the fire risk. And we knew exactly what to recommend.
Why We Recommend DaVinci Composite Shake
For Projects Like This One
DaVinci’s synthetic shake roofing is a total game-changer—especially for homeowners who love the rustic charm of cedar but are ready to move on from the maintenance battle.
Here’s why we install it so often:
- It Looks Incredibly Realistic: The texture, depth, and shadow lines mimic real cedar so well that most people never notice it’s not wood.
- It’s Built To Last: DaVinci Shake is Class 4 impact-rated, Class A fire-rated, and rated for up to 110 mph winds. In Chicagoland? That’s a big deal.
- It Doesn’t Rot, Split, Or Mold: You’ll never need to treat it, replace random shingles, or worry about creeping water damage.
For this Oak Brook family, it was the perfect fit. We chose a weathered wood tone to complement the home’s architecture and maintain the same visual warmth the original shake roof offered.
Here’s an example of a home where we installed these shakes – the header image for this blog is another example (both are located in the St. Charles area). You can see more images like them in our Residential Project Galleries
When the project wrapped up, the homeowners were thrilled. Their home looked every bit as charming, but now it had a roof that would perform like it belonged in the 21st century.
They no longer have to schedule roof cleanings every spring or hold their breath every time a hailstorm rolls through. The insurance company is happy. The resale value has just received a boost. And for the first time in years, their roof isn’t on their list of “things to worry about.”
Replacing Your Cedar Shake Roof?
We’d Be Honored To Help
If you’re in the same spot, you’re not alone. We’ve helped families in Hinsdale, Highland Park, Naperville, and beyond make the transition to low-maintenance composite shake roofing that still honors the character of their home. Want to talk it through? No pressure. Just real answers from a team that knows the ropes. Call 847-531-8960 or schedule a free consultation today.
