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Cedar roofs aren’t just about looks—though they’ll make your neighbors stop and stare. You’re getting natural insulation that keeps your energy bills lower year-round. Cedar’s natural oils resist insects, rot, and moisture damage that destroys other roofing materials.
The real payoff comes during Long Island’s brutal winters and humid summers. While your neighbors deal with ice dams and heat buildup, your cedar roof breathes naturally, preventing the moisture problems that lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Your property value jumps immediately. Cedar roofing signals quality to potential buyers and appraisers who know the difference between cheap materials and the real thing.
SkyLuxe Construction has been installing cedar roofs across Suffolk County for decades. We’re a family-owned business that understands Elwood’s specific weather challenges—from nor’easters that test every shingle to summer humidity that warps inferior materials.
Every cedar roof project gets personal oversight from Al and our team, combining old-school craftsmanship with modern installation techniques. We’re licensed, background-checked, and have built our reputation one satisfied homeowner at a time.
When you call SkyLuxe, you’re not getting a sales pitch from someone who’s never held a hammer. You’re talking to contractors who’ve installed hundreds of cedar roofs and know exactly what works in this climate.
First, we assess your current roof structure to ensure it can properly support cedar materials. Cedar shakes and shingles require specific underlayment and ventilation to perform correctly—corners other contractors cut that lead to problems later.
Next comes material selection. We’ll walk you through Western Red Cedar options, from hand-split cedar shakes for that rustic look to precision-cut cedar shingles for clean lines. Fire-treated options are available for areas with specific requirements.
Installation happens systematically, starting with proper underlayment and working up. Each cedar piece gets individually placed and secured using techniques that account for natural expansion and contraction. The final step includes a thorough cleanup and walkthrough to ensure everything meets our standards—and yours.
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SkyLuxe works exclusively with premium Western Red Cedar sourced for Long Island’s climate conditions. You’ll choose from tapersawn cedar shakes, hand-split cedar shakes, or precision cedar shingles depending on your home’s style and your preferences.
Elwood homeowners particularly benefit from cedar’s natural resistance to the salt air that accelerates corrosion in other roofing materials. The marine environment that makes this area beautiful also destroys metal roofing and composite materials faster than inland locations.
Fire-treated cedar shingles provide additional protection while maintaining cedar’s natural beauty. Synthetic cedar alternatives offer similar aesthetics with different maintenance requirements—we’ll explain the tradeoffs honestly so you can make the right choice for your situation and budget.
Properly installed cedar roofs typically last 30-50 years in Long Island’s climate, significantly longer than standard asphalt shingles. The key is professional installation with proper ventilation and underlayment.
Cedar’s natural oils provide built-in protection against moisture, insects, and rot. However, the marine environment in Elwood actually helps cedar roofs because the salt air doesn’t corrode cedar like it does metal roofing materials.
Regular maintenance extends lifespan considerably. This means annual inspections and occasional cleaning to remove debris that could trap moisture. Most Elwood homeowners find cedar requires less frequent repairs than other premium roofing materials.
Cedar shakes are split by hand or machine, creating a rustic, irregular texture that gives homes a natural, organic appearance. They’re thicker and provide slightly better insulation but require more maintenance due to their rough surface.
Cedar shingles are sawn smooth on both sides, creating clean, uniform lines that work well with traditional and contemporary home styles. They’re easier to maintain and install more quickly, which can reduce labor costs.
Both materials use the same Western Red Cedar and provide excellent weather protection. The choice usually comes down to aesthetic preference and maintenance commitment. Shakes offer more character, while shingles provide cleaner lines with easier upkeep.
Untreated cedar has natural fire resistance properties, but fire-treated cedar shingles provide additional protection that meets most local building codes and insurance requirements.
Fire-treated cedar shingles undergo pressure treatment with fire-retardant chemicals that significantly reduce ignition risk while maintaining cedar’s natural appearance and weather resistance. The treatment doesn’t affect cedar’s other beneficial properties.
Many Elwood homeowners choose fire-treated options for peace of mind, especially in densely populated neighborhoods. Insurance companies often offer discounts for fire-treated roofing materials, which can offset the modest additional cost over the roof’s lifetime.
Cedar roofs need annual inspections and periodic cleaning to remove debris, moss, or algae that could trap moisture against the wood. This typically takes a few hours once or twice per year.
Professional maintenance includes checking for loose or damaged shakes, clearing gutters, and ensuring proper ventilation. Most issues are minor and easily addressed when caught early during routine inspections.
Cedar naturally weathers to a silver-gray color over time. Some homeowners prefer this natural aging, while others apply cedar-specific stains every 3-5 years to maintain the original color. Neither approach affects the roof’s protective performance.
Cedar roofs typically require complete removal of existing roofing materials to ensure proper installation and performance. Cedar shakes and shingles need specific underlayment and ventilation that can’t be achieved over old materials.
The removal process allows inspection of the roof deck for any damage that needs repair before cedar installation. This extra step prevents future problems and ensures your cedar roof performs as expected for decades.
While removal adds to upfront costs, it’s essential for warranty coverage and proper performance. Shortcuts during installation almost always lead to expensive problems later that cost more than doing the job correctly from the start.
Western Red Cedar contains natural extractives that resist moisture, insects, and decay—critical properties for Long Island’s humid summers and wet winters. These oils are more concentrated in Western Red Cedar than other cedar species.
The wood’s cellular structure provides natural insulation while allowing moisture to escape, preventing the trapped humidity that causes rot in other materials. This breathing ability is especially important in coastal climates like Elwood.
Western Red Cedar’s dimensional stability means less expansion and contraction with temperature changes, reducing the stress that causes other roofing materials to crack or warp. This stability translates to fewer repairs and longer roof life in variable climates.
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