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You’re looking at 50+ years of weather protection with cedar roofs that actually get more beautiful over time. While other materials fade and crack under Long Island’s salt air and temperature swings, cedar shakes and shingles develop that coveted silver-gray patina that makes your neighbors stop and stare.
Cedar roofing isn’t just about looks. You’re investing in the most wind-resistant roofing material available – cedar shakes resist winds up to 245mph while providing natural insulation that keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. That means lower energy bills and a roof that stands up to whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
Every cedar roof we install is unique. No two pieces are identical, which means your home gets a distinctive, personalized appearance that can’t be replicated with mass-produced materials.
We focus exclusively on exterior home improvement for Suffolk County homeowners who demand quality over shortcuts. We’ve built our reputation on understanding exactly what works in this coastal climate – from the salt air in Wheatley Heights to the temperature extremes that test every roofing material.
We’re not the cheapest option, and that’s intentional. You’re hiring us because we use premium Western Red Cedar, employ skilled craftsmen who understand cedar installation, and stand behind our work with real warranties. Our clients choose us because they’ve seen what happens when roofing gets done wrong the first time.
Local homeowners trust us with their most important investment because we’re licensed, insured, and we handle all the permit paperwork that varies across Long Island municipalities. When you work with us, you’re working with contractors who live and work in your community.
We start with a thorough assessment of your existing roof structure and discuss whether cedar shingles or hand-split cedar shakes better match your home’s style and your budget. Cedar shingles offer a clean, uniform appearance while cedar shakes provide that rustic, textured look with thicker, more irregular pieces.
Next comes material selection. We work exclusively with premium-grade Western Red Cedar that’s been factory-treated for fire resistance and enhanced durability. We handle all permit applications and coordinate inspections with local building authorities so you don’t have to navigate that bureaucracy yourself.
Installation starts with proper underlayment and ventilation systems designed for Long Island’s humidity. Each cedar piece is hand-placed and secured according to manufacturer specifications and local building codes. We finish with a complete cleanup and final walkthrough to ensure everything meets both our standards and yours. The entire process typically takes 5-7 days depending on roof size and complexity, weather permitting.
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Your cedar roofing project includes premium Western Red Cedar sourced from sustainably managed forests, factory fire-retardant treatment, and precision installation by certified craftsmen. We provide both traditional cedar shingles and hand-split cedar shakes, depending on your aesthetic preferences and budget.
Every installation includes proper underlayment systems designed for Long Island’s coastal conditions, ventilation components that prevent moisture buildup, and all necessary flashing and trim work. We handle permit applications, building inspections, and coordinate with local authorities throughout the process.
Wheatley Heights homeowners appreciate that we understand the specific challenges of coastal roofing. The salt air, humidity, and temperature fluctuations that define Long Island weather require materials and installation techniques that many contractors don’t fully grasp. Our cedar roofs are engineered to handle these conditions while maintaining their natural beauty for decades. We also provide comprehensive warranties on both materials and workmanship, plus detailed maintenance guidance to help you protect your investment.
Cedar roofs typically last 50+ years in our Long Island climate when properly installed and maintained. The key is using premium-grade Western Red Cedar and ensuring proper installation techniques that account for our coastal conditions.
Cedar shakes tend to last slightly longer than cedar shingles due to their thickness, but both options significantly outlast asphalt shingles which typically need replacement every 15-20 years. The natural oils in cedar provide inherent resistance to rot, insects, and weather damage. With periodic maintenance like cleaning and occasional treatment, many cedar roofs in Suffolk County have lasted 60-70 years or more.
Cedar shingles are machine-cut for a uniform, clean appearance with consistent thickness and smooth edges. They lay flat and provide excellent weather protection while offering a more refined, contemporary look.
Cedar shakes are hand-split, creating thicker, more irregular pieces with a rustic, textured appearance. Each shake is unique in thickness and grain pattern, giving your roof distinctive character. Shakes provide slightly better insulation due to their thickness but require more skilled installation due to their irregular nature.
Both options offer the same fundamental benefits – longevity, wind resistance, natural insulation, and that beautiful silver-gray weathering over time. The choice typically comes down to your home’s architectural style and personal aesthetic preferences.
Modern cedar roofing materials are factory-treated with fire retardants to meet current building codes and safety standards. This treatment significantly reduces fire risk while maintaining all the natural benefits of cedar.
The fire-retardant treatment is applied during manufacturing and penetrates throughout the wood fiber, not just the surface. This provides lasting protection that doesn’t wash away or deteriorate over time. Many insurance companies recognize fire-treated cedar as an acceptable roofing material with no premium increases.
We only install fire-treated cedar products and can provide documentation of fire ratings for insurance and building permit purposes. The treatment doesn’t affect the cedar’s natural appearance, weathering characteristics, or longevity.
Cedar roof installation typically ranges from $6-$12 per square foot installed, depending on material grade, roof complexity, and specific project requirements. For an average 2,000 square foot home, expect to invest $12,000-$24,000 for a complete cedar roof replacement.
Cedar shingles generally cost less than hand-split cedar shakes due to manufacturing differences and installation complexity. Premium-grade materials cost more upfront but provide better longevity and fewer maintenance requirements over time. The total project cost includes materials, labor, permits, underlayment, flashing, and cleanup.
While cedar roofing requires a higher initial investment than asphalt shingles, the 50+ year lifespan and energy efficiency benefits often make it more cost-effective long-term. We provide detailed written estimates that break down all costs so you can make an informed decision.
Cedar roofs require minimal maintenance but benefit from periodic cleaning and inspection, especially in our coastal environment. We recommend annual visual inspections and cleaning every 2-3 years to remove debris, moss, and salt deposits that can accumulate from ocean air.
Professional cleaning involves gentle washing to remove organic growth and salt buildup without damaging the wood fibers. We can apply protective treatments that enhance the cedar’s natural resistance to moisture and UV damage, though this isn’t always necessary with quality materials.
The key maintenance items are keeping gutters clean to prevent water backup, trimming overhanging branches to reduce debris and shade, and replacing any damaged individual pieces promptly. Unlike other roofing materials, cedar allows for easy spot repairs – damaged shakes or shingles can be individually replaced without affecting surrounding areas.
Cedar roofing offers authentic natural beauty that synthetic materials simply cannot replicate, along with superior performance characteristics that matter in Long Island’s challenging climate. Real cedar provides natural insulation properties, breathability, and that distinctive weathering process that creates the coveted silver-gray patina over time.
Cedar’s cellular structure naturally expands and contracts with temperature changes without cracking or splitting, unlike many synthetic alternatives. The wood’s natural oils provide inherent resistance to insects, rot, and moisture damage. Cedar also offers superior wind resistance – up to 245mph for quality shakes – which is crucial for coastal properties.
While synthetic cedar products have improved, they lack the authentic grain patterns, natural color variations, and aging characteristics that make each cedar roof unique. Real cedar is also environmentally sustainable when sourced from managed forests, biodegradable at end of life, and doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution like some synthetic alternatives.
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Specializing in roofing, siding, chimney, and gutter services, SkyLuxe Construction is committed to delivering top-tier home transformations in Suffolk County, NY.
